Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1919 — PLAN HEARINGS ON TAX MEASURE [ARTICLE]

PLAN HEARINGS ON TAX MEASURE

House Body to Learn bpinions of Property Owners. FARMERS OPPOSED TO CHANGE Object to That Part of Proposed Law Which Would Tax Intangible Property Only 25 Per Cent of Total Value.

Indianapolis, Jan. 24. —Sentiment for and against the proposed revision of the Indiana taxing system was crystallized this week to a great extent. In the first place Chairman Kimmel of the house judiciary committee announced that his committee would hold meetings at regular intervals at which representatives of all the classes of property in the state could be heard as to their opinions on the new tax bill’s effect on that particular class which they represented. He started out these meetings with one last night at which members of the Indiana State grange were Invited to attend and discuss the proposed law as it will affect the fanning class of the state.

Much headway was made, it is believed, by advocates of some drastic changes in the tax laws, against this belief of the farmers, when it was pointed out time and time again that at the present time the intangible property of the state represents but 1 per cent of all the property listed for taxation on tlie tax duplicates. The aim of the proposed deduction on intangibles is to bring the intangible classes of property from their hiding places and such a plan has worked out well in other states where it has been tried, according to those who have been studying the tax problems of the state. Governor Goodrich made a long address on the tax problem before the meeting here of the State grange itseft.’ early this week and did much toward impressing the'farmer representatives there that their interests are to be most benefited by a revamping of the tax laws of the state and that the deduction proposed for intagibles in reality is aimed to increase the taxes borne by that class of property now and thus lighten the burden of taxation in rural communities, where all the assets usually are visible. Fred A. Sims, a member of the state board of tax commissioners, who has had a great deal to do with forming the new- tax law and. who is as well Informed on taxation problems in Indiana probably as any other Hoosier, addressed the legislative committee of the Indiana State Bankers’ association on the proposed tax bill, and the discussion turned to many points relating to the taxation of money and credits and bank property. Discussion centered on various plans under which adequately than now Is the case. , Many organizations - that have met here tills week or are to meet within the next few days are devoting practically their entire programs to the tax question and It is believed that sent! ment will so crystallize within the next week or more that some sort of definite action on the bill will be takenby the legislature. ’ The Johnson child labor bill, which will prevent children’s employment between the ages of fourteen and sixteen, except during vacation periods, thus changing the present law which allows such employment under certain conditions, now is being considered by the House committee on rights and privileges follow ing a hearing on the measure at which active argument was given both for and against the measure. The Mil is aimed to remedy other alleged defects in the existing statutes relating to women and children In Indiana industry and the manufacturing interests of the state are against it. Frank M. Smith, representing the Indiana Manufacturers’ association, attacked the bill on the theory that it would throw out of employment thousands of boys and some girls who did not desire to go to school and would be thrown into idleness and mischief by the application of the provisions of the bill. Mrs. A. T. Cox, a state factory Inspector for women, who was appointed by Governor Goodrich as a special officer some tipe ago and is being paid out of his contingent fund, summarized arguments in favor of the bill in the absence of Samuel Artman, chairman of the industrial board of Indiana, which also was represented at the hearing by Charles R. Hughes, a member of the board. It was brought out that the proposed bill would give jurisdiction of violations of the child labor laws in the hands of juvenile or circuit counts, rather than in the hands of the justices of the peace, as now. The proposed bill also would prescribe physical examinations to determine whether the young man or woman is fit to enter Industry and registration of the youth as they enter industry, to determine what type of work they best are suited for also would be provided, it was explained. Mrs. . Culla Vayhlnger of Upland, of the W, C. T. U.; Oswald Ryan, former prosecuting attorney of Madison county'; Charles Fox, president of the State Federation of Labor, and others spoke in favor of the bill. Richard L. Ewbank, an Indianapolis attorney, spoke in opposition to .the | bill.