Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1922-01-04
CARTER CLEARS
WORK STATE
LEGISLATORS
UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHY
GOVERNOR OLCOTT REFUSED
TO SIGN MUNICIPAL EXEMP.
TION INHERITANCE TAX BILL.
Jackson County Delegation Firm
Against Gasoline Tax Bill; Scenic
Preservation Bill Goes Over Oppo.
sitlOn; Senate In Checkmate.


sitlOn; Senate In Checkmate.
why Governor OlcOtt refused t
sign the bill exemptlng from inherl
tance tax bequests to municipalities
Is a mystery to me" says Hon. +. V
Carter, member of the lower house
OF the state legislature. Before In
Producing the bill--which had nc
opposition in either the house or the
senate-E. d. Briggs informed me
that the measure had the entire ap.
proval OF the governor.
"A possible explanation is Cover.
nor OlcOtt's expressed wish that nc
measures be considered at the recent
special session except highway pre-
servatiOn and POrtlands fair. We
took It for granted, however, that
any surplus time could and should
be used for the considering and pas
sage OF minor bills which had no
opposition, such as the one men
toned. For two days we practlc-
ally marked time in the house. II
may be that the governor believes
the situation could be better hand
led by recommending to the attOr.
ney general that lbequests of the
nature mentioned be exempt from
inheritance taxes.
Ashland is peculiarly interested
in this matter, because II involves
the possible loss Of $4,000 to the
city, this being the amount Of in
heritance tax which, under present
laws, would be due the s.ate on the
estate of the late Charles Root
whEh goes to the city after his Wild
ow's death. The estate Is valued at
$4,000.
"A peculiar situation is involved
in the Portland fair bill, which went
through the house by a substantial
majority, but had majority of only
one IN the senate. According to the
law, the approval of majority OF
senators elected is required, and this
was not obtained by the bill in ques-
ton. The vote was fifteen to four
teen in favor. One senator, who was
elected, Is dead, and no one has been
elected to fill his place. The case Is
now being considered by the su'
preme court.
The Jackson county delegation
voted solidly against this bill, which
urovides for the raising Of $1,000
600 for the 1925 exposition, by a
gasollne tax. There is a general
sentiment In favor Of using all mon
oys obtained from taxes on auto
and auto supplies, for the building
and maintenance of roads. Jackson
county lawmakers voted against the
rill on this account and also because
they were opposed to this or any
other general tax for the purpose
mentioned. A poll tax was suggest
q |. but this would be even more OBJ
i'ctionable.
"An income tax would be the most
acceptable, but this would probably
-, oct with strong opposition in Port
land itself. In fact, there Is con
Ierable opposition to the fair from
cortland people, several of whom ]
lave heard express dlsapproval oi
the project. No organized opposl'
t,on came from the city. however, be-
o use the objectors did not care to
i, classed as knockers and frowned
Il on by the majority OF their TEL
lo.y townsmen."
Referring to the alleged deiin-
~uency OF the state highway COM
mission in failing to preserve the
tres and other scenic beauty along
in, Pacific highway, Mr.. Carter Is
IN lined to exonerate the commits
e.on from all blame in this connec'
I n. saying they are all high-minded
en-. serving without compensation
, nj being impervious to any ulterior
fluence. Mr.. Carter also states
nat Governor Olcott's bill making
,.,ylsion for the preservation oil
mic beauty along the highway was
, passed without considerable op-
y, ltlon, reports to the contrary not
outstanding.
,Ir. Carter was asked to make a
-.1tement regarding school taxes,
~ special reference to the millage
: Il and the Oregon Agricultural
,,1sge. "The Oregon Voter" says
Carer, "clalms that 45 per cent
G our taxes are used for education |