, 1935-10-31
SOLONS HIT
AT PRESS In
PROPOSED TAX
Lawmakers Grumble
AT Newspaper For
Calling Attention to
Inactivity

AUSTIN, Oct. a1-R-The prob
lem Of controlling Texas recently
legalized liquor traffic Thursday We'd
with pensions and taxes IN legisla-
tive interest
Committees OF both houses pre-
pared 70 consider Immediately bills
proposing varied plans for regulat-
Ing whiskey sales. In submitting the
subject Governor Alfred enjoined
legislators against undue delay"
TWO principles in liquor regula-
ton again divided legislative fronts
as In the first session when bills
failed In the closing hours. Private
licensing versus q state monopoly
and sale Of mixed drinks versus un-
broken package law drew the
dividing lines.
Drop Still Strong
A wet bloc prepared for another
show down fight for mixed drinks,
the issue which blocked action In
the previous session. They also OPP
posed the monopoly plan. which
both houses previously declared
against.
Another new subject before the
legislature was enactment OF a
drivers licensing law, submitted by
the governor 70 end an alarming
increase in fatalities on our public
highways"
Conferees adjusting differences on
old age pension legislation, first on
the session program, agreed on
property ownership and income re-
strictions. materially reducing the
cost, and needed mainly q decision
ON what agency should disburse the
aid To complete a bill
The conference decided persons
with an annual income Of $3.50 or
who owned real property Of a fair
value OF 5000 or personal prop
erty worth $500 should not be en-
titled 10 pensions The limits for
married couples more than IS years
old would be $40, $500 and $1,000,
respectively.
IN addition, the pension admins
TRAITORS would be authorized 20
scale down payments 20 build up
a pensioners income of $3.50 an
nually from all sources. The state
contribution could not exceed slo
monthly.
The senate returned 10 the house
q bill broadened 20 provide $4,000
annual salaries for all district at
torneys. Originally the bill. sup
plementing the general officers
salary bill. applied only to district
attorneys In districts comprising
two or more counties.
Representatives. completing the
first week Of debate on an omnibus
tax bill to pay pension costs, ap-
proved an increase Of one-eighth
Of one per cent per 1000 cubic feet
On natural gas production. The first
fn00QO.O00 feet per quarter per well
would be exempted.
Hit at Newspapers
Sponsors estimated II would raise
$4,000 more than produced an
nuallv BY the current levy Of two
per cent on the market value.
A margin OF one vote rejected an
amendment to levy a graduated tax
on filling stations. The Amendments
proposed q tax ranging from S. a
station on chains Of three TO $500
on each station In groups Of 81 or
more.
In a night session certain house
members panned Texas newspapers
for their criticisms OF the legisle-
ture in debate on an amendment
70 an omnibus tax bill TO levy one
per cent on newspaper gross re-
ceipts.
Rep. George Butler OF Bryan. CO.
author Of the amendment with Rep.
Tom Dunlap Of san Marcos, assert
newspapers had "tried to make
the legislature look like a bunch OF
buns SO they could increase their
circulation" He also criticized what
he said were efforts Of newspapers
to agitate III feeling between the
governor and the legislature.
You don't blame the newspapers
for telling the truth, 90 your"
cueried Rep. John Fain Of Weather
ford. while Rep. "A. II. Mckinney Of
Huntsville asked Butler II he wasn't
pitching the tax "on q mighty low
plane"
Maybe I am but some OF the
stories out or here have been on q
low plane also" Butler answered.
The senate rules committee voted
four 10 one In favor OF q HOUSE,
resolution to limit the scope OF
conference committees to adjust
ment Of differences between the
branches. The move was initiated
after an attempt IN the first session
70 tie a general liquor control bill
on a bill 70 prescribe fair trade
practices for the beer industry.