Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 174, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1920 — DEADLOCK ON TAX MEASURE [ARTICLE]

DEADLOCK ON TAX MEASURE

SLIM PROSPECT OF EARLY AGREEMENT TO CURE DEFECT IN TAX BILL Indianapolis, July 20.—Efforts to reach a decision on the disturbing subject of tax legislation for passage at the special session of the Indiana general assembly were continued in vain today. Pending final decision of the leaders regarding the tax subject, the house and senate kept busy with other bills of more or less importance, but adjourned after the afternoon sessions to meet again ‘at 10 a. m., tomorrow. The tax subject was further complicated this afternoon when house republicans meeting in a caucus following adjournment were unable to agree upon action to be taken when the home rule taxation bill presented by Representative Charles Johnson, of Grant county, comes up for passage. The bill would take away from the state tax board control over bond issues and tax levies and place these subjects in the hands df local units. Republicans Divided.

The republicans, according to reports from the caucus, were about evenly divided on the measure. It was finally decided to leave the subject over night with a committee composed of Representatives Swaim, of Madison county, Tuthill, of (Michigan City, and Harris, of Lake county. This committee will report to another caucus meeting at 8 a. m., tomorrow. The senate caucus committee which has been struggling since Friday with the proposition of evolving a bill taking care of the situation created by the supreme court’s decision declaring invalid the horizontal increases made by the state board of tax commissioners met again tonight to hear further discussion of a bill drafted by Senator Kiper, of Boonville. The bill is designed to replace the measure prepared by Representative Tuthill and passed by the house. The house bill legalizes the horizontal increases. Senator Kiper’s bill would require the state board to reconsider its horizontal increase order and would require a refund to be made in the case of excess taxes paid upder the state board’s horizontal assessments. Provision''would be made for a one year seven per cent temporary loan to take care of units which find themselves in financial straits because of refunds. The state board would be authorized to increase state levies to meet a falling off in revenue occasioned by refunds. Agreement Seema Remote. That a definite agreement on either the Kiper bill or the Tuthill bill is close seemed improbable tonight and the legislators expected continued conference would be necessary before a bill is drafted for submission on the floor of the senFurther consideration was also given in the republican caucus this afternoon to the war memorial project upon which action was taken this morning. Only minor amendments to the morning plan were discussed, however, and it seemed certain that the plan agreed on to limit the memorial building project to a 12.000,000 appropriation by the state together with the donation of the grounds in Indianapolis now occupied by the blind asylum and St. Clair park would be the proposition finally submitted in the house (by the ways and means committee to which the war memorial bills were referred. , , > Coal Bill Amended. The senate finally disposed this afternoon of the bill authorizing the public service commission to order 100 per cent car service to mines with which the state has contracts for fuel for state institutions. Some amendments have been made' to the bill as it was passed by the house and it was sent back to that body for concurrence in the changes. Senator Cravens, democrat, of Madison, cast the only vote against the bill Consideration of the “blue sky” bill presented in the house by Representatives Symons, of Henry county, and Givan, of Manon coun- * - v V. __ xl- _ I—■ r> IM

ty, and passed by the house was begun in the senate, but after the adoption of numerous amendments final action was postponed until tomorrow when the printed bill until all the' amendments incorporated will be available. The house at the afternoon smsion passed under suspension of the rules a senate bill which will permit interurbans to haul livestock through the streets of incorporated cities and towns. The vote was 65 to 20. Vigorous opposition to the bill was presented by Marion county members. It was championed as a farmers* measure and one that would help reduce the cost of Irving, by Representative Davis, of Jay county. < . Increased pay for teachers would be provided if the bill passed by the house this morning by a vote of 79 to 0, becomes a law. The author of the bill, Represntative Laughlin, of Davies county, said it would mean an increase of approximately thirty per cent in teachers' salaries. The minimum wage provided is SBOO annually. An eleven and a half pound