San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-17
Fight May Develop Over
Effort to Repeal Flood
Control Bill.
SPEED Is THE KEYNOTE
Eight Senate Appropria-
ton Measures Total
Over $2S,000,00O.

special session within the 50 days
prescribed by the constitution for spe-
cial sessions, is clearly indicated by
the rapidity with which the legisla-
Tive bodies got down to business.
The presiding officers in the two
branches nave impressed upon the
members the necessity for effective
action and little unnecessary delay.
4 Several revenue measures introduced
during the morning in the House were
considered by House committee on
revenue and taxation during the after
noon. The Coffee bill, imposing a .
Fer cent gross production tax on
crude oil. was reported favorably BY
la vote of TO 3. Representative Sat
terwhite gave notice that he will offer
an amendment to the bill on the floor
reducing the tax to , per cent. This
| bill is to be given early consideration.
having already been sent TO the state
printer.
This committee gave consideration
\ to the Simpson. of Smith, bill levy
ling an occupation tax on interurban
bus lines that operate from one point
10 another in the state. This bill pro-
poses TO levy tax of 500 annually
on all 5-passenger buses. S120 on 4
passenger buses and $50 on all busscS
| in excess of that capacity.
Representative Satterwhite suggest
ed that the bill should provide gross
receipts tax. Representative Simpson
objected TO gross receipts tax de-
claring such TAX would mean moth
ing: that there were 1400 such bus
| lines in Texas not contributing one
cent to the support of the highways.
The bill was referred to sub-com-
mittee composed of Representatives
, Satterwhitc. Culp and Young.
Action Is Deferred.
Action was deferred by the commit
tee on the Patman tax equalization
bill. This bill proposes TO create a
tax equalization commission com
posed of eighteen members. ono from
each congressional district in Texas,
who shall cooperate with the state
tax commissioner. The committee
postponed action because of the alb
sence of the author of the measure.
Representative Sam G. Lackey of
Dewitt has also bill on uniformity
and equalization of taxation. This
! bill provides that the state tax board
| shall review and equalize assessed
valuations as fixed by the various
counties in the state.
II also provides for hearing before
the tax board in the fixing Of assessed
valuations. These two bills may be
merged in one comprehensive measure
on the subject.
In the opinion of Representative
| \ Ill. 81 IF
repeating the act passed Mt the regu-
lar session of the Legislature appro-
rriating 100000 for flood control in
Texas. the appropriations Is entirely
too large. He estimates that the an
rropriation recommended by the state
hoard of control for the support Of
the state reclamation department is
sufficient to properly carry on the
work of flood control law.
| Vigorous opposition will be made 10
the Nelson bill announced Reprcsen-
tative Lee Rountree. of Bryan, who
was one of the authors of the meas
urc in the regular session.
| Representative Rountree said that
the state board of control has already
begun operation under the provisions
OF this bill although the appropria-
ton does not become effective until
September l. 1928.
To repeal this law," said Roun-
tree, would be to return to flood con-
troll on a local scale, while we want to
build levees and reservoirs under
statewide plank. This cannot be done
under the state reclamation depart
ment.'
Since the proposition came up TO
repeal the law, Rountree added, Chair
man John n. Norris of the state board
of control, has ceased work as he does
not propose TO proceed with the pre-
liminary surveys until the fate of the
law has been determined.
Representative John Il. Smith. of
Travis, introduced n bill in the House
carrying an appropriation of S2OO,OOO
to be used in paying interest on war
rants legally drawn against the gen
eral revenue fund, which warrants
cannot be paid upon presentation to
the state treasury and drawn between
the dates of April 20, 1923, and March
10. 1924.
This is the bill which is designed
TO protect employees of the state from
having to discount their warrants dur
ing the period that the state OF Texas
is operating on deficit. The effect
of this bill would be to make the state
and not the employe bear the expense
incidental to discounting the war
rant.
All warrants that cannot be pau.
IL issued within the time specified
herein. shall draw interest at the rate
OF & per cent per annum from the date
Of issuance until called for payment.
Representative !. +. Wnfree OF
Houston. announced late Monday that
he will reintroduce ut the special ses-
sion his concurrent resolution pro.
posing sweeping investigation OF
the oil industry in Texas, price fixing
methods and relations OF certain
Texas compa mics with Standard oil.
This resolution was introduced at
the last regular session Of the Legs
lature and adopted in tho House but
failed of adoption in the Senate dur
ing the end of the session.
Following brief consideration. the
House Judiciary committee. late Mon
day reported favorably the governor
quo warrauto' bill by Carpenter and
Patterson. by a vote of s to 4. This
bill was passed finally In the House
Mt the regular session Of the Legls-
lature but was "smothered 10 death
IN m Senate - ~ GBrerncr ta0ed
Il. :.