Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1919 — FROM REPRESENTATIVE WOOD [ARTICLE]

FROM REPRESENTATIVE WOOD

Wants Constitutents To Know What the Legislature Is Doing. Indianapolis, Jan. 22, 1919. Editor Jasper Democrat, Rensselaer, Indiana. My Dear Sir: —Feeling that my constituents in Jasper county are interested in the work that is coming this Seventy-first General Assembly and the work that will come, I feel it my duty to give them some idea of what is being done, realizing that I am servant and here to do their bidding. This session of the legist lature, up-to-date, has been working harmoniously; no political differences have developed and I feel that the session will Close in perfect harmony, as it is made up of splendid men. I have introduced twq, bills up to the present time. The first is House Bill number 22, giving towns other than county seats the right to organize loan and trust companies. The present law discriminates against towns that are not county seats, if the population does not reach 25,000. I also introduced House Bill 108, which amends the Loan Shark law passed in the session of 1913 and amended in 1917. The law as it now stands permits a rate of interest to be charged of 3% per cent per'month, or 42 per cept per annum. I am convinced that the present law is working a hardship on the borrower in many instances; the very men and women 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. My appointee, C. M. Sands, is doing proficient work as a clerk in the ouse. He was assistant roll clerk in <—e beginning but has been promoted to assistant journal clerk. I am ready at all times to receive suggestions from my 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 any own judgment convinces me that there should be some changes in the old law, also in the hill that is now before us for consideration. I believe that if the law is passed in present form it would work a hardship upon the farmers and stock-feeders, as it makes the tax a lien upon their Sroperty on January 1, instead of jareh 1. I feel that the taxes becoming a |ien upon personal property or any other property before March 1, would find the farmer and stock-feeder with his cattle and feed and grain production on his hands, many of them with cattle purchased on time. t would suggest that the tax payers of Jasper county give this matter careful consideration. Delos Dean has a good position in the senate and is getting along nicely. Very truly ypurs, REP. W. L. WOOD.