The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-06

GROPE IN Vain
FOR TAX plan
Special Session Will Start
Thursday, With Definite
Program Lacking.
BY DANIEL nj. KIDNEY

BIZ DANIEL M. hlONEI
Less than twenty-four hours be-
fore the special session of the legis-
lature convenes, it became increas-
ingly apparent that the keynote
merely will be one of "muddline
through" some sort of laws with the
ultimate result of some sort of tax
relief.
That there is no definite program
even in the offng, was shown by
varying views expressed by both
senate and house leaders as they
arrived today.
Governor Harry G. Leslie, who at
one time announced he never would
call a special session until full
agreement on a tax relief program
was reached, is known to be ready
with a legislative message for
Thursday which contains no con-
crete suggestions.
1t was reported that if legislators
do not plan something for them
selves in three or four weeks, Leslie
may advance a plan.
Beckett Has Several Bills
Governors of other states, where
special sessions have been held,
and President Hoover, in address
ing congress, have put forth an
executive plan for the law makers
to accept or reject, it was pointed
out.
Nearest approach to ga man with
a plan" is Senator Joe Rand
Beckett Rep), indianapolis, who
has series of bills calling for cur
tailment Of governmental expendi-
lures.
Beckett is chief spokesman for
the Association for Tax Justice, an
organization of men of wealth
throughout the state, who want
governmental costs cut and no new
forms for raising revenue enacted.
Already several of Beckett's sem
atorial colleagues have commented
adversely on his attempt to assume
leadership and push through his
program.
Means Salary Cuts
It will mean largely a reduction
of salaries for those remaining in
governmental positions and adding
others now employed to the jobleSS
list.
Democratic legislative leaders,
comforting today with Speaker
Walter Myers, outlined a general
program, pledging themselves to
pare governmental costs before
seeking new sources of revenue. The
cost pairing program, they said, will
be devoted to reduction of appro-
priations, limiting public expend-
itures, and Slicing overhead.
Attending the conference, in addi-
ton to Myers, were R. Earl Peters,
Democratic state chairman; Repre-
sentative Hardin Linke; Earl Craw-
ford; DELPHI McKesson, floor leader,
and Albert Walsman, member of
Linke's ways and means committee.
Beckett has called a meeting of
senate and house cooperative COM
mittees at the close of Thursdays
session.
The meeting will be devoted to
review of the bills covering the
fourteen agreed economy points, he
said.
1.-THE six state representatives and
seven state senators comprising the
joint committee will assemble to
further the only organized effort
for tax reduction program so far
developed within the ranks of gen.
eral assembly members" stated
Beckett.
Hit Debt CarryOver
Reduction of public expenditures
to point that no debts will be car
ried into next year, is demanded
in a statement made public today
by the Warren Township Taxpayers
Association.
Officers of the association are
John S. Newhouse, Cumberland,
county council member, president;
John Shearer, vice-president; John
Schildmier, secretary, and Earl Van
Sickle, treasurer.
The association demands that the
legislature adopt bills which will re-
duce expenditures.
Opposition is expressed to making
counties units in educational af-
fairs.