The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-02-14
House Sustains
Committee Action
ON Muny Light Bill
Proposal to Postpone Passage
of Howell Measure Indefi-
nitely Carries-Jacoby
Bill Goes on File.
By p. G. POWELL,
staff Correspondent The Omaha i

Lincoln, Feb. 13.-(Special. THE
I lower house by vote of 55 to 81 voted
today to sustain the cities and towns
committee in its-action in Indefinitely
postponing the Howell Omahatmunici-
pal light bill.
The same body. by a vote of 63 to
&c, voted to place the Jacoby excess
profits tax bill on general file, over a
recommendation made by the taxation
committee to indefinitely postpone the
measure.
Debate on the Howell bill was short
and spirited. The only new argu-
ment advanced was by Wingett of
Thurston, farmer, to the effect that
the increasing number Of municipality
owned. tax.free utilities was gradual
ly shifting larger burden of tax
alton on the farmers, leaving city
dwellers only as beneficiaries.
Representative Ed Smith of Omaha
declared in support of the Howell bill
that ultimately the Nebraska Power
company, holding a lighting franchise
in Omaha. would unload its plant on
the city at an exorbitant price.
Smith Cites Gas Case.
"The city council handled the ac-
QUESTION of the gas and water plants
and the people of Omaha were obliged
to pay millions in excess. of their true
value" Smith said. "The same will
be true with the light company un-
less you place the handling Of the
situation In the hands of the Metro
politan Utilities district and take 1t
away from the political city council.
"a school board handles school
problems, so why shouldn't a board
created to handle our gas, water and
ice problems also take charge of our
| lighting problems? The Nebraska
Power company, demanding a return
on $1,000. 900. in watered stock, is lit
orally robblng the city Of thousands
annually"
Others participating in the debate
were Dysart and Dyball. Omaha,
against the bill, and Mears of Wayne,
Elsasser and Strehlow. Omaha, for
the bill. There were no party lines
drawn, as many republicans and dem
ocrats voting proportionately for the
measure as against II. Members of
the Omaha delegation voting for the
Howell plan were: Collins. G. 3. FL
sasser Smith. Strehlow and Timme.
Jacoby Speaks for His Bill.
Representative Jacoby. author of
the excess profits tax bill. was the
only one heard on that measure.
Jacoby. who voted for the Howell bill.
asserted that those who opposed II
chiefly on the grounds that municipal
ly-owned utilities shifted the tax bur-
den on the farmers, would, to be con-
sistent. become compelled to vote to
place his excess profits tax bill on
general file and ultimately put IL
through the lower house.
NO one can deny that an excess
profits tax on corporations win relieve
the farmer from much taxation,
which was the excuse given by many
for refusing to vote for the Howell
bill" Jacoby said.
Howell has similar bill in tho sen.
ate, which he intends to endeavor TO
put through and again place the bill
before the lower house for considera-
tion at this session.
The Howell bill placed the power RI
calling an election to vote bonds for
a municipal light plant in Omaha IN
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