The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1921-06-01
THE SERVANCE TAX
CAUSES DSSENSION
AMONG DELEGATES
Governor Firm in Opposi-
ton to Any Increase
Above Agreement
ACTIVE BUNCH FAVORS
ONE PER CENT BOOST
Producers Willing to Pay
Third of Total into Parish
Treasures

4
The severance tax-something new
!, Louisiana until last years. loom
INC nm as something big this year. In
toct the way matters stand in the
constitutional convention, it appears
ss IL the question viii finally wind
mn in a big row among two elements
of the delegates.
The producers Of oil, gas, etc, un-
dsr the terms Of the law, have been
having two per cent of their net, re-
venues into states strong box. That
wss one OF the big campaign pledges
- Governor Parker and after he as
snmed office a year ago he experienc-
"A very little trouble in putting it
through.
The tax raised from this source IS
sa,d to total the huge sum OF three
-r,1ion dollars annually, and it is from
+b,s fund that the proposed greater
o,,;cultrual college will be construct
a. How long the collections from
this source will last no one can pre-
ART. but it is reasonable to suppose
that as long as the state has any ma
+r-.l resources the tax will flow into
tho uublfc treasury.
II Is a big sum and its possession
bv the state has no doubt attracted the
greedy attention of large element
:, tbe profession who always have
eve peeled for the flesh pots.
The matter Of disposal Of this
4rr5 for the betterment Of the entire
.+o+a has been a bone of contention
4or some time. There was one set
- delegates who desired to turn it In
- the general fund for state purposes
without regard to greater agricultural
college or other things. Then there
n-.. smther set who wanted to turn
q hack into the treasures OF the sew
eral marshes where it originated
Tbav were so hoplessly in the minor
stv that their efforts along this hne
vera hardly noticeable.
since however, it has been defln-
,telv decided to use the entire eollee'
TONS Of this tax for the next seVerai
wears to build the greater college
soua Of the ambitious delegates nave
basp casting about for a scheme 70
n,aca4ts the folks at home-that ls'
the peouie who reside in the parishes
-ha+ nroduce the tax. Out OF tneh
ts-ti,a imagiuations they envolved d
unique idea and one raugnt "i'N
many possibilities.
Tbev would collect three per cent
and let the usual two per cent go IN
~ the state treasury where It OF law
belongs but the extra one per ceni
would 20 into the parish treasury tol
nar;sb nurposes. The thing looked
extremely simple. and the proponents
az the scheme bolstered their arsu'
meut with the statement that tne
PRODUCERS we're perfectly willing =
carry the added load and pay TINS
tis,v per cent increase into the parish
exchequer.
Bu+ the governor did not harken tu
their assertions and said the agree
ment entered into between the state
and the oil and gas producers ias'
year was a gentleman's agreement
and he would not stand for any cnanee
The executive is warlike IN ms op
position to the general idea OF 1hs
delegates backing the proposition anu
a. thew seem equally determined tna'
the nriuciple-or legislation-shaA Os
written into the constitution a genera
fight over it may yet result oeioIe
the convention grows much ofaer.. .
few Of the anti-submissiouits VINO =
vor the extra tax are thretienlng :
holt from the anti's ranks and hne
IN with the small but virile minority
that are battling vainly for suonlis
sion Of the constitution to the peopis
for ratification or rejection.