Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-02-17
BILL WOULD BAN
PLACING OF FALSE
ADS IN NEWSPAPERS

Representative Burleigh Martin of
Augusta will introduce in the legis-
lature this week an act which would
make 1t misdemeanor for a person
to place false advertising in news
papers, the misdemeanor to be pun
lshable by fine or imprisonment or by
both fine and Imprisonment. 1t is
pointed out that laws similar to this
are now in effect in the majority of
states in the union.
Railroad taxation will be the sab
lect for discussion at a hearing to be
held before the committee on taxation
at o'clock this afternoon. The bills
to be considered will be the proposal
to change the system Of railroa! tax
atlon from the gross TO the gross-net
pan, and the plan for a commission
10 investigate regarding the need or
deSlrability Of changing the railroad
tax.
The excise tax bill which was in
troduced by Representative Martin of
Augusta. is favored by President
Morris Mcdonald of the Maine Cen
trail railroad. 1t proposes a change
III the levying of the franchise tax
from the basis of gross operating rev
enues to the gross net plan which
carries sliding rate based upon the
relation OF gross to net income.
IL is estimated that the state would
lose more than 100000 in taxes by
tne change. The proponents of the
measure insist that the present tax
tS UNFAIR because it bears no relation
I" the ability of the road to pay.
The railroad commission bill was
presented by Senator Wadsworth OF
Aennebec county and has strong SIM
port among those who believe thor
ough investiga ton of the conditions
OF theTailroads should be made before
there is any change in the method of
ieEylng the tax upon them. The bill
cans Tor the appointment of a COM
mission of seven members, which is
required to make complete inyestica
tion as to whether the condition OF
the roads demands a different meth
! cd of tax levy.
The commission under the terms OF
the resolve is to make report to the
governor and council and that re-
| port Is to be submitted to the legis-
iature not later than Feb. /. 1927.
University of Maine Resolve
The University of Maine question
Is likely to be much in the fore
! ground this week. Wednesday after
| noon the education committee will,
give hearing upon the resolve
| which will call for an appropriation
| or sl,526,650 for maintenance, defici.
enfy reduction and buildings. In some
quarters the proposal is being consid-
cred of a perpetual tax levy of a mill
! and a quarter for the state university
Elsewhere radical measure in rela
ton to the university is being dis
cussed. The most important feature
OF the bill is the abolition of the col.
iege of liberal arts and substituting
IN It's place colleges of law and medi-
| cine.
Speirs' Bill sor Votinu
A radical voting measure is TO he
| introduced by Senator Alexander
| Speirs Of Cumberland county, this
week. The measure is in the form al
an amendment to the constitution
| which would authorize future lecjs-
latures to require compulsory voting.
, The proposition is q novel one and
| will be likely to provoke a great deal
| OF discussion.
The sessions Of the house and sen
ate will begin at 400 ;his afternoon.