East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1921-12-20
Secretary KOzer Would Grab
Money Allotted for Other
purposes and Use for Fair.
SENATOR DENNIS HAS
BILL FOR AN INQUIRY
Three Measures Now Before
Legislature, Members of
Which Oppose Property Tax

A private phone message to
the East Oregonian from Salem
at z O'Clock this afternoon stat
ed that the Portland delegation
Is now centering efforts on a
scheme to finance the 1926 fair
by means of an increased gaso-
lene tax. The Multnomah
men want the legislature to au-
thorize this tax without submit
ing the issue TO the people. No
test on the subject has yet oc-
cured in The legislature. The
Portland delegation today adj
mits defeat as far as the prop
erty tax is concerned.
SALEM, Dec. 20.--W. p)--Co.
horts cAamplonlng the 1926 exnosi.
ton flocked here today meeting with
the legislators to effect comprornise
whereby legislation may be introduc-
ed passed and placed before the vot
ers next May. Proponents of the ex-
position began to assume n copcilla-
tory attitude toward the upstate fee-
lslators. Both sides seemed to well
come Secretary OF State Kozer's sug-
gestion that considerable sums annu.
ally might be Topped Off the state
budget for the next four years and an
piled to the exposition fund. Repre-
sentative Fletcher suggested divertlng
the tax on gasoline aud dstillate TO
fair purposes. Some senators and
representatives indicated they did not
oppose property tax on account Of
itself. but because OF the additional
burden cast vl the state. II the mon
ey already provided for other purposes
might be used well and good. The
Joint ways and means committee
meanwhile is checking all bills not
considered necessary. seeking to short
on the session
3 RilIs Up.
Three distinct measures now face
the legislature aimed TO raise money
TO finance the 1925 fair They are:
The Kubli amendment to the consti-
tuition providing for raising a million
annually for three years. starting in
1929, through statewide property
tax; bill introduced by Speaker Bean
to raise n million annually for three
years through income tax; and the
Josephine bill aimed to accomplish
the same purpose through n gasoline
tax
Dennis Has Plan.
There was an indication that the
Joint ways and means committee
would look favorably upon Senator
Dennis bill calling for the appoint
ment of n committee OF five two from
each house, and one member at
large to look into the states finan-
clal condition Under the resolution
the commission would have corps Of
accountants and helpers to thoroughly
scrutinize the states bond issues and
ascertain for the benefit of the voters
Just how solvent the state Is and how
il would be able to stand a divergence
Of funds for the stated purposes which
Secretary Kozer suggested might be
used for fair purposes. Senator Smith
in two senate joint resolutions propos-
ed today to repeal the six per cent linz
ltation for taxation and providing no
mllage tax, whether levied upon
property Of the whole state or no a
subdivision thereof, shall be operative
for a longer period than two years.
Eastern Oregon United.
Private word received by the East
Crcsohian today from Salem shows
that The defeat of the property tax
for the Portland fair is assured AMI
that in the fight against the measure
the I'sstern OREGON numbers have
nen working virtually rs a unit.
! II is b,t only in the house that or
| siijon TO the property tax has bAen
ranynt In the senate Is members
ar teitain and probably Is have is
ken tie same position as the 36 men,
befa af the lower house.
J. Is said that before the leglslatulss
iad. eurns the Eastern Oregon men will
have President Ritner of the senate
appear before the highway commis-
SION with an Eastern oregon petite 4.
(which will disclose to certain OF ire
Portland interests how we feel on me