Fight Will Be Fierce

Lansing, March 22. - The special se3sion of the state legislature called by Governor Pingree met at noon. Everything indicates a battle of unusual fierceness. The interest taken in the special Iegislative session is intense. A secret caucus of the senators opposed to the bill was held, at which, it is understood, it was decided to favor the creation of a commission, as suggested by Senator McMillan, to investígate the subject or railroad taxation. and report to the next session of the legislature, thereby obviating the necessity of confronting the problem at this time. As one of the senators remarked: "It is not a matter for hasty action to overturn the settled policy of this state in the matter of the taxation of corporate property." It is generally believed the lower house will pass the governor's measure, but that it will be hung up in the senate. The governor's bilí has been made public. It provea to be unlike the alleged bilí published a few days ago. Title of the Bill. It is er.titled simply "A bill to provide for the assessment and levy of taxes upon the property of raiiroad companies. express, telegraph and telephone companies." It provides for the creation of a state board of assessors, consisting of four members appointed by the governor and the auditor general. This board shall assess the property of the corporations named in the title; it shall have power to procure books and papers, subpoena witnesses, require sworn statements from railroad and other companies, and determine the rate of taxes to be levied, which rate shall be the same as the average rate of taxes for state, municipal and local purposes, not including special assessments for beneflts received. The board shall meet the flrst Monday in September in each year, and the taxes assessed must be paid before the first Monday of January following. Franchises of companies, it is provided, shall be considered as property and shall be assessed. State May Seize Property. All taxes collected under the act shall be applied to the payment of the interest on the primary school, university and other educational funds. For non-payment of taxes it is provided that the state may seize theproperty of corporations and sell it at pubic auction, and if the property cannot 3e sold the company shall forfeit its corporate rights and privileges. Several penalties are provided in the act, and the members of the board will be guilty of a misdemeanor if they shall assess property for more or less than it is worth. Finally, it is provided that if corporations whose property is to be assessed elther directly or mdirectly promise, offer or give to any member any gratuity whatever the corporations shall forfeit to the state the sum of $10,000. This, in brief, is the law which Governor Pingree proposes to substitute for the present special tax law now on the statute books.