The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-02-18
By BOB DeARMoND

by bOb DeAHMONO
 The General Property Tax Bill came unexpectedly to the Senate floor this morning under a suspen- sion of the rules and quickly passed by 1924 vote There was almost no l preliminary fuss or furry. The only votes cast against the Eill were by Senators Dawes and Garnick of the First Division and i Senators Jones and Munz of the second.
 Senators Butrovich and Rivers supported the measure in the short debate preceding passage; Senator Jones spoke against it. The bill now goes back to the House, where it originated. for the House to approve or disapprove the amendments adopted by the Senate.
 The amendment most likely to meet with the House opposition is the one reducing personal property exemptions from $2500 to $2O0. If the House approves the amend ments made by the Senate the bill will go to the governor for approval If the House does not approve the
 Senate amendments, the bill will go i to Conference Committee of six members, three from each the House
 and Senate.
 HARD ON MINERS i The Property Tax Bill came back
 from the Engrossment Committee
 this morning and Senator McCutch- con immediately moved for third
 reading and final passage. There
 was no objection.
 I Senator Charles D. Jones took the floor with the announcement that
 since the amendment he had of fered to aid the very sick" mining
 industry had received only four votes, he would be unable to support | the pill
 ] Retouching picture he had pre- viously painted of the difficulties of profitable mining, Senator Jones said that many of the small mining operators in the Second Division will close down next season. With the severe restrictions placed on the sale of gold. the gov- eminent holding 1t at $35 an ounce while the world price is around SIP, the miners are unable to assume any additional costs" Senator Jones asserted.
 A FAIR TAX This is as fair a means of rais- ing revenues to operate the Terrl- tory as any we could pass" Sena-
 tor Butrovich told his colleagues. He admitted that it is not pain less but felt that one of its greatest
 merits is that it is not aimed at any one industry or class of taxpay- CTS.
 The amount of revenues the tax would bring in was the only reason for any qualms concerning it. the senator said.
 T voted against this bill in the l947 session because I doubted then that it would bring enough reve- nues to offset the costs and diffi- culties of assessing and collecting the tax" Senator Butrovich said. Our experience in collecting taxes in independent school districts has proved that I was wrong" he added. INCOME AND WEALTH Fair and equitable taxes include those on income and wealth. both of which are based upon ability to pay, the senator explained.
 We have already passed till to tax income and if there is any wish among the members of this body to enact equitable tax legisla- tion, this bill should get IS votes here" Senator Butrovich concluded. Senator Victor Rivers asserted that the Territorial treasury is in the worst condition ever although Alaska has had the biggest boom in it's history.
 He pointed to the failure of past legislatures to pass basic tax laws as the cause of this condition. We have always gone home from past sessions after having provided only for the barest necessities Senator Rivers said and expressed the hope that the great need for schools, hospitals and other facili- ties for the welfare of our pSople can be, taken care of.'