Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-03-10
MATHESON DRY
BILL ADVANCED
Measure Is Scheduled to Come
Up for Final Action Some
Time This Week.
PLAN TAX HEARING MARCH "a
Business Interests Of State Ask to Be
Heard When Legislature Takes UP
Bills Relating to Increase
Of Taxes.

OF axes.
Madison.-By vote Of AZ to 81,
the Wisconsin assembly refused to re-
consider the vote by which 1t recently
sent to engrossment the Matheson
bone dry bill. This will bring the bill
up to final passage in the house some
time this week. The measure will
then go to the senate.
During the debate three members
OF the legislature attacked the activi-
ties of X. p. Hutton, superintendent Of
the wisconsin Anii-Saloon league. As
semolyman Il. A. Burden of Marinette
sald that Hutton has offered support
Tor an appointment if would support
the MathesOn bill" In spite of these
attacks reconsideration Of the Mathe-
son bill was refused.
Probably the biggest hearing ever
staged In Madison will be held on
March "A when the legislature takes
up the consideration of all bills to in
crease income tax rates on individuals
and corporations doing business in
Wisconsin. Business interests from
every section of the state, chambers of
commerce and manufacturing estab-
lishments have notified the legislature
that they desire to be heard on these
bills.
Three bills will be up for considera-
ton. First is the Dahl bill, which
provides for an increase of income tax
rates on incomes below $1,000 and car
ries exemptions of $1,000 for married
men and $1,000 for unmarried men.
Second is the bin offered by Senator
IL. j. Severson. Waupaca county. which
provides for graduated surtax on in
comes above $1,000. This bill applies
alike to- individuals and corporations
The first $4,000 is except. On the sixth
$1,000 the tax Is 2 per cent, and this
tax Increases gradually until, on all
over $4,000, the tax is per cent. This
bill is estimated to raise approximate
ly $6,OO0,0O0 annually. This measure
is said to have the Endorsement of
Gov. John ]. Blaine. IL the personal
property offset now used against in
come taxes were repealed these two
bills would probably produce suffi-
cient amount of revenue so that no ad-
ditional state tax on real estate would
he necessary.
The third bill for consideration is
one by Senator Conant with rates
reaching as high as 10 per cent. and
calculated to produce $l6,000.000 an
nually. Senator Arnold has bill to
greatly increase present income tax
rates. Business interests declare that
these bills should not be passed during
a time of depression.
That the general property taxes lev
with the amounts raised for city and
school purposes Is shown In a bulletin
issued by the Wisconsin tax commits
sion and sent to the Legislature.
State taxes constitute, on the aver
age. only per cent of the total tax
collected; county board levies are IL
per cent; city councils are As per cent
and school boards are "a per cent.
'Many people have the impression
that the general property tax burdens
are heavy because of the requirements
for state purposes" says the bulletin.
This is entirely wrong. BY far the
largest part of all general property
taxes are kept In the city treasury and
spent for city and school purposes. If
cuts are TO be made, they can be made
afanfixrnlp nv ~ OH
and school board.
"rhe above mentioned bulletin Is
one OF a series OF monthly publications
issued by the municipal statistics de-
partment OF the tax commission. The
tax data is taken from statements of
taxes furnished by city clerks and veri-
fed by correspondence. by comparison
with the county clerks appointments
of taxes and by the tax certification of
the secretary of state"
School taxes are a great burden In
the cost of government. In the follow
Ing cities OF the state the school taxes
are over 80 per cent of all taxes paid.
Alma, Altoona. Augusta, Beloit. Black
River Falls. Bloomer, Buffalo City,
Chetek. Cudahy, Fennimore, Glenwood,
Hudson. Mansion, Menomonie, Mando-
vi. Neillsvllle. New Lisbon, New Rich
mond. octonto Falls, onalaska. STAN
ley. Stoughton. Two Rivers.
Not Including schools Of the cities
on the state having tax levy OF over
50 per cent for municipal purposes,
are Chiffon, Delavan, Depere Hart.
ford. Kenosha, Manitowoc, Mayville.
Milwaukee. oconto, Portage, Rhine
lander.
Bachelor Tax Bill Gets Publicity