The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-16
PASSAGE IF TAX. AND PORT BILLS
 FEATURE IF WEEK.
Revenue Measures Passed InCIuIe Tax On Legal Doc-
 umentS And Automobiles
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU ]
 THE AGE-HERALD Mnnkrnrrnnrr A AIn 2Nnt lh

The week just passed marked final passage of the seaport enabling act, and the arrival of relief for tax payers at the crossing of the dead line placed at the forty fifth legls- lative day on the passage of reve- nue bills. Revenue measures rushed through to final enactment during the week included bills imposing a license or privilege tax on deeds re- corded. and another measure taking an additional dollar from automo- bile owners where title to automo-- piles is transferred, In the form oi 8 registration tax.
 provision creating the office of deputy tax assessor for the various counties of the state was inserted in a conference committee report on tke revenue bill and adopted the deputy tax assessor provided for to give especial attention to personal property taxes. However, the pro- posed additional one cent gasoline tax, the four mill tax and the sever ance tax all remained on the calen- dar untouched.
 During the past week the house passed a number of educational ap- propriation bills, which remains to receive the approval of the senate, the appropriations provided being the same as for the present year. The house also passed and sent to the senate a bill providing an additional $55,000 for the state health depart ment, to be used in county health work.
 Double Primary Defeated.
 Attempts 10 restore the double primary, and it was charged, the convention system. and to give coun- ty convicts and even chance with those of state in the matter of treat ment accorded them both met with defeat during the week, The double primary bill, which was passed by the senate, met hot re- ception in the house. being voted on the adverse calendar by a committed vote of g to 1, and the consensus of opinion was that it will remain there. in view of the sentiment ex- pressed on the floor of the house.
 The convict question had a final flicker in the house when Represen- tative c. w. Aashcraft attempted unsuccessfully to take from the ad- verse calendar his bill placing coun- ty convicts under state control.
 Important matters remaining to be disposed of include the highway commission bill and the agricultural code. The house and senate have passed bills providing for high way commission of three men, but
  them, the house favoring election by the legislature from nominations by the governor, and the senate appoint ment by the governor direct. The matter is in the hands of con ference committee. The agriculture code has passed the house, and re- mains to be acted upon by the senate
 Final action remains to be taken on the bill of Mrs. J. c. Wilkins regulating and licensing child plac- ing institutions. The past week wit messed the final passage of the bill which creates the machinery for the work of the child welfare depart ment In conjunction with juvenile courts.
 Appropriation bills awaiting pas sage include those to make appro- priations to the state training school for girls, the Boys Industrial school the Alabama School of Trades and Industries and the Alabama Home for Mental Interiors.
 The bill providing for state printing plant to be operated with convict labor has passed the senate and is on the house calendar.
 Provide ExperimeDt 0 Stations.
 A bill by Senator Garth of much interest to agriculture providing for establishment of branch agricultural experiment stations on the principal soil types of the state, was passed by the senate during the week, and is expected to be soon acted upon by the house.
 There seems to be little likeli- hood of disturbing various counties officials whose compensation comes in the form of fees. A bill by Rep resentative Burton to abolish the fee system for probate judges, tax asses sors and collectors Is on the house hut tendency to let 1t stay there.
 Another pending measure Is that of Representative Byars of Law renee, which is a special order in the house, reducing the number ot county registrars from to 1. An attempt was made Friday in the house to call this bill up and failed by only one vote of the four-fifths majority necessary to take up the measure.
 Another measure which remains on the senate calendar Is the bill Of Representative Holcombe of Mobile proposing an amendment to the con stitution to exempt World war vet erans perpetually from paying of poll tax. This bill passed the house unanimously some weeks ago, but has not been acted on by the sen ate.
 The past week witnessed the final massage Of the bill allowing Senator oscar w. Underwood to name the Alabama delegation to the next democratic national convention
 Some quick action will be neces- sary to regulate and license archi- tects and engineers in this state. A bill providing that these professions shall be regulated and fees extrcated as in the case with several others IS pending before the house.
 Another measure waiting disposi- ten Is the bill@ which would allow the unexpended balances of various state trust funds. with certain ex- ceptions, to revert to the general fund at the end of each fiscal year
 The house has on its calendar the bill of Senator Inzer, providing for electrocution of criminals sentenced to death in lieu of hanging. Another measure pending before the house intro duced by Representative DICK inson. provides for supernumerary tudge for the state of Alabma.