Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1919 — HAS HIS EAR TO THE GROUND [ARTICLE]

HAS HIS EAR TO THE GROUND

REPRESENTATIVE IN THE LEGISLATURE WRITES AN OPEN LETTER. ~ ' L... * —, January 22, 1919. Editor Rensselaer Republican, Rensselaer, Indiana. My dear Sir:— " Feeling that my— eonstitn en to inJasper county are interested in the work that’is coming before this Sev-enty-first General Assembly and the work that will come, I feel it out duty to give them some idea of what is being done, Realizing that we are their servants and here to do their bidding. This session of the legislature, up to date, has been working harmoniously, no political differences ihave developed and I feel that the session will cluse in perfect harmony, as it is made up of splendid men. I have introduced two bills up to the present time, the first bill is House Bill 22, giving towns other than’ county seats situated in the county the right to organize loans and trust companies. The present law discriminates against towns that are not county seats, if the population does not reach twenty-five-thousand. I also introduced House Bill 108, This is a bill that amends the Loan Shark laiw that was passed in the session of 1913 and amended in 1917. The law as it now stands permits the rate of interest to be charged three and one-half per cent per month, or forty-two per cent per annum; lam convinced that the present laiw is working a hardship on the borrower in many instances, the very man or Woman that should have the arm of protection are the burden bearers under this law. The old law provided that the principal sum borrowed could not exceed three hundred dollars; my bill provides that it shall not exceed two hundred dollars and a rate not to exceed two per cent. Our appointee, Mr. C. M. Sands, is doing proficient work as a clerk in the House. He was assistant roll clerk in the beginning but has been promoted to assistant journal clerk. We are ready at any time to receive suggestions from our constituents on matters of legislation and especially on the new tax law that will be considered before the committee tonight in an open session. This is a bill that contains 148 pages, and my own judgment convinces me that there should be some changes in the old law, also in the bill -that is now before us for consideration. I believe that if the law was passed in present form it would work a .hardship upon the farmers and stock feeders, as it makes the tax a lien upon their property on January Ist, instead of March Ist. I feel that the taxes becoming a lien upon, personal property or any other property before March Ist, would find the farmers and stock feeders with his cattle and feed and grain production on their hands, many of them with their cattle purchased on time. I would suggest that the taxpayers of Jasper county give this matter careful consideration. Delos Dean is getting along nicely. He has a good position and is filling it with credit. Very truly yours, ------ REP. W. L. WOOD.