Newspaper Page Text
GAS=ELECTRIC MAY PAY
Tax Readjustment Now Planned
BANKS' EFFORTS I
TO ESCAPE HITS
GAS COMPANIES
Interesting Discoveries byi
the Chairman of Senate
Committee Changes
Scheme
i
GEORGE A. VAN SMITH
CALL BUREAU,
SACRAMENTO HOTEL.
Snrrnmento, January 14.
The efforts of the banks to escape
participation in a horizontal increase
the segregated' gross earnings tax
rates and a growing equalization senti
ment in the legislature may result in
Rn adjustment plan, which, if success
ful, will impose an Increase of 50 per
cent on gas and electric companies in
stead of the suggested 20 or 25 per cent
raise.
Accepting the board of equalization's
figures as correct, for purposes of com
putation only, Senator Newton W.
Thompson, chairman of the tax com
mittee, has made some Interesting dis
coveries. Assuming the correctness
of those figures, equalisation of four
classes of segregated properties with
general properties involve not a flat
20 per cent, but the following increases:
Railroads and street railways, 22 plus;
gas and electric companies, 50 plus;
telegraph and telephone companies, 22,
and the Pullman Car company, 30.
PROMISE MOKE REVENUE
These increases applied to the 1911
--12 totals, as furnished by the con
troller's report, promise an additional
revenue almost exactly approximating
the promised defi'-it for the ensuing
biennial period. Taking the same to
tals, and deducting therefrom the ex
press company's taxes and the pro
ceeds of the franchise tax, hut includ
ing thr banks and all other segre
gated properties and a -0 per cent
horizontal increase, produces ■ total j
additional revenue of $1,.r:_,053, or
f 1.477 less than the deficit estimated j
by the ton*roller.
Thesf- two tentative schemes,
neither of which does more than wipe
out the apparent deficit. Certainly
neither promises anything in the way
of increased revenue for necessary
govfrnmental expansion.
No senator In touch with the situa
tion believes that the banks will sub-j
mit to an increase without a fight, i
The influence of the banks is admittedly
more comprehensive* than that of any j
class of corporations ih the segregated
list.
ham; powerful advocates
The hanks already have powerful
advocates in botli houses. Their
ingest friends are in the senate. The
* position to an increase of the bank's
\ per cent rate in the senate will be
rased ostensibly or actually on two
general grounds. Cine is that an in
creased tax will operate to dissipate
large reserves. The other Will be
based on the contention that the banks
will take it out of the borrower, to the
end that no public good will be con
served beyond swelling the state's reve
nup^.
On the other hand, corporations con
fronted with the danger of the 50 per
cent increase that might result from a
readjustment will fight, naturally
enough, for a horizontal increase that
will save them money, even if it does
• increase the interest rates charged bor
-owers.
Senator Thompson introduced the tax
bill today. It was in blank as related
to rate*--. Otherwise it was a copy of
the existing constitutional provisions,
with a single material change. Under
the existing provisions the date of i
forfeiture Is the first Monday in March, j
That is the date when the new levy
goes Into effect. Consequently, there
has been doubt about what the for
feiture covered- —one year's taxes or
two. Thompson has made the forfeit
ure date the Saturday preceding the
first Monday in March.
HAM' LEGISLATIVE ECHO
The disagreement between the rail
road commission and the United Rail
roads of San Francisco over the pro
duction of the company's books had a
legislative echo today. Assemblyman
Sutherland introduced a hill for an
amendment to the railroad act provid
ing that any utility corporation doing
business in California must keep |t s
books In so far as they are related to
its California business in the state.
Sutherland's messages, prepared in
consultation with the railroad com
mission and recommended by it, in
clude several other amendments of
more than passing importance. One is
designed to bring tn book subsidiary
corporations organized by utilities cor
porations to beat the rate regulation.
The amendment provides that a utility
which furnishes, directly or indireotiy.
a service or commodity to a utility for
X • public service shall be deemed a
V .bile utility corporation within the
meaning of the commission act, and
subject to its jurisdiction. The amend
ment is designed to reach operations
such as suggested by this hypothetical
,ase:
A corporation selling gas organizes
within itself a corporation to manu
facture gas. Under the existing pro
visions, the manufacturing corporation
does not come within the jurisdiction
of the commission. It can not fix the
rates charged by the manufacturing
company, but boards of supervisors
fixing rates to be charged by the serv
ice company must take Into considera
tion the cost price, otherwise the price
fixed by the manufacturing concern.
Another amendment insures the com
mission in its right to enforce safety
regulations on construction work done
by public utilities.
TYRRELL OPPOSES
BIFURCATED SESSION
CALL BXraEA - ,
SACRAMENTO HOTEL.
Sacramento, January 14.
A fight for abandonment of the new
hifurcated legislative session idea and
a return to the old solid session is In
process of incubation. Senator Edward
Tyrrell of Oakland Is nursing a resolu
tion for a constitutional amendment.
He is not holding It back because of
any lack of enthusiasm on his part.
He is mereiy %aiting for his colleagues
l to become as dissatisfied with the bl
-1 furcation idea as he is, and. as a mat
's ter <>f fact, a good majority of the
* members of the legislature are out of
o!j-t with the bifurcated session no
tion.
That majority includes democrat? as
well as republicans and progressives.
'i|h*y are convinced that in practice
Senator Edward Tyrrell, who op
poses bifurcated legislative session
scheme.
bifurcation will not work the good
promised by its proponents. They also
are convinced that when this session
ends In May, probably. the ! people will
he quite ready to change the legisla
tion back to its old form. A bill pro
viding for genuine reform of vital in
terest to the owners of real property
will l>e introduced in the senate tomor
row by Senator Eec C. Gates of Los
Angeles. It will provide that the
statute of limitations shall not begin
to run against a policy of title insur
ance until two years after loss has
occurred. Such a simple little bill, but
it means much to holders and pur
chasers of real property.
THEXD IS ENORMOIS
The trend of real estate operations
in California has heen to establish a
popular preference for good title insur
ance. The business has grown to tre
mendous proportions. Hundreds of
title insurance policies are sold daily
in this state. For the most part they
are as good as gold and what they ap
pear to be with a single exception.
That exception is one that no layman
may be expected to be un
less advised by an attorney or the re-|
suit of experience. The statute of
limitations runs against the policy as
it runs against any other contract.
Alter two years it can not be made the
basis of an action for damages even
if the title were faulty when it was!
issued.
The enactment of the Gates bill
would make the contracts what they
appearetfto be—unlimited—unless the
holder by his own negligence should
fail within two years after suffering a
loss to assert his rights in court.
IIRVAXT OPPOSES HANGINGS
Senator EL F. Bryant of San Fran
cisco began today his fight for the
abolition of capital punishment In
California. To make a clean sweep
flght, he was compelled to introduce
four bills amending as many sections
of the penal code.
One bill abolishes capital punishment
and substitutes life imprisonment for
murder in the first degree; another
provides the same punishment for
treason, still another for train wreck
ing and the fourth repeals the law Im
posing the death penalty upon a life
term prisoner convicted of an assault
with a deadly weapon. It was under
the provisions of the latter enactment
that the negro Delehantie was hanged
recently, and under which "Jakey" Op
penheimer was condemned.
STATE WILL AUDIT
MOTHERS' PENSIONS
BATJRAMENTO. Jan. 14.—1f the state
Is going to pay out good money for
mothers' pensions or any other pur
pose, the state board of control expects
t<> audit such payments. This substan
tially is what was explained today by
administration officials to Miss Frances
J JollifTe and Miss Helen Todd of San
I Francisco, who are in San Francisco
Interested in a bill proposed by the
California Society for the Protection of
Motherhood, of which Miss Jolliffe is
.president. The "lobby" thought over
the suggestion, felt It was good and
probably will return to San Francisco
to place It before their constituents.
Free Textbooks Discussed
SACRAMENTO. Jan. 14.—Emergency
legislation designed to get the free text.
!•<,( k system at work in the common
schools was discussed at a meeting of
the senate committee on education
called today by Chairman 3. L. Avev
of Redlands. Senators Avey. Kehoe
and Shanahan were appointed a sub
committee to devise emergency bills
under which the state printer may
proceed to print and issue additional
textbooks where the present supply is
short. State Superintendent of Public
Instruction Edward H. Hyatt was ad
vised to proceed with the work of sup
lying the books to schools.
a
MOVES HOME, LOSES JOB
Concord's Mayor's New Honae Outside
limit*, ao He Resign*
(Special Dispatch to The Call)
CONCORD, Jan. 14.—Mayor H. H.
Elworthy tendered his resignation to
the board of town trustees at last
night's meeting"'and E. J. Randall, a
well known local lumber dealer, was
elected mayor. Elworthy recently
moved into his new home, which is a
few feet outside the town limits.
Charles Dunn was apopinted to suc
ceed to Randall's place on the board.
a
IDAHO JI'DGE ON BEXCH HERE
Judge Frank S. Dietrich of the
United States district court for the dis r
trict of Idaho will occupy the bench
here today for Judge de Haven. Judge
de Haven has been Indisposed several
weeks.
•
Plies, diseases of the lower bowel.
Dr. Reese. 830 Market. S. I.—Advt.
THE SAX FRANCISCO CALL, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1913.
DUCKS TO WING
WAY FAR FROM
CALIFORNIA IF
That Is, the Birds Will Be
Seldom Obtainable in
Restaurant or
Cafe
SACRAMENTO, Jan. 14—There will
be no more dupks for sale in Cali
fornia markets in the near future; no
more baiting of duck ponds, and it
will be unlawful to shoot ducks either
before sunrise or after sunset, if the
recommendation made by members of
the Great Game and Fish association,
in conference with the state fish and
game commission this morning, are
adopted by the legislature.
Elimination of ducks as a marketable
game bird was decided upon only after
protected discussion. The motion was
carried on the ground that the rights
of the local resident and general public
supersede all other rights and also
because it is impossible to prevent in
fractions of the law by pot hunters.
The proposed prohibition of placing
bait in duck ponds will be looked on as
a blow to the duck clubs located on
private hunting grounds.
In order to prevent the continued
violation of the law which provides
that a hunter shall kill no more than
two deer in a season, it was recom
mended tlfat each hunter, at the time
of obtaining a license, be Issued two
tags, signed by the hunter in the pres
ence of the official issuing the license.
When a deer is killed, if this recom
mendation becomes law, the hunter
must "tag" it and then countersign
his name.
PHANGES SUGGESTED
BY LAW MAKERS
SArT.AMENTO, Jan. 14.—Two im
j portant amendments to the public util
ities act were introduced today by As-
I semblyman W. A. Sutherland of Fresno
jat the behest of the state railroad
I commission. The first is designed to
prevent the closure to the commission
of a corporation's books, and provides
that each public utility shall have an
office in one of the municipalities of
this state, in which some of its prop
erty is located, and that it shall keep
there all books, papers, accounts and
records required by the commission.
It also provides that none of the books,
accounts, papers or records required
by the commission shall be removed
from the state.
The second amendment, in effect.
prevents evasion of the jurisdiction of
the commission by a holding or pro
ducing company which does not sell
to the public, but to a second com
pany. Tho amendment provides that
any corporation which manufactures
!or produces any commodity eventually
I sold to the public shall be declared
i a public utility.
| Among other bills introduced were
the following:
By Harwell—Preventing the marriage of aunts
and nephews and cousins of the first degree.
By Schmitt—Raising the number of judges in
San Francisco from 12 to 16 and fixing their
salaries at $0,000 per year.
Johnston of Contra Costa —Closing saloons from
1 to i a. m.; relieving public officials from pay
ment of premiums on their surety bonds; requir
ing vestibule doors on Interurban railways.
By Slater—Adding February 22 and September
9 to the school holidays.
By Weldon —Making every county a separate
fish and game district, county officials to deter
mine amount of license, collect same and en
force laws; exempting actual homesteaders of
taxes up to valuation of $1,000; abolishing Sat
urday half holidays in state, county, municipal
and other public offices.
By Stnckenbrnck—Slaking 12 per cent maxi
mum rate on pledge or salary collateral money
loans.
By Tulloch —Produce exchange bill.
By Simpson—Regulatiug sale and purchase of
anr?!! arms.
By Wrtdoa—Ottlpg pedestrians the right of
way at r«>ad crossings orer automobiles.
By Weldon—A constitutional amendment re
pealing that section giving the state tie right
to impose an ad valorem tax rate on all property
In the stiite to remedy a deficiency.
By Brown --Cold storage regulation.
By Kingsley Child labor hill providing eight
hour day for minors betwi en 10 and 18 years
and striking out the present clause permitting
children 12 years old to work if their parents
are ill: also repealing clause permitting illiter
ate minors to work during day school hours.
Asseorblyman TV. C. "Wall of Stock
ton read an invitation extended by the
city of Stockton to the assembly to
make a visit on a trolley excursion
Sunday. ,
One hundred and ninety-nine bill*
were introduced in the hour and a half
session of the lower house of the legis
lature today, and adjournment taken
until 11 o'clock tomorrow.
Among the more important bills were
the following:
By Johnston of Contra Costa—Bills making the
Issuance of lottery tickets a felony and pos
session of same a misdemeanor.
By Kingsley -Providi"g for representation of
three parties on election boards; relating to
hours of labor of minors.
By Bradford - Anti-alien land ownership law.
By Weisel Another superior judge for Orange
county.
By Green -Providing that when railroads hare
fenced their rights of way they shall not be
liable for damages to domestic animals.
> By Weldon -Reducing the fees of executors
and administrators of estates.
lir Johnston -Imposing yearly license of $100
on flfhermen not eligible to citizenship.
—ALL—
Remaining Winter Suits
At Both "Greater" Stores
840 All Told
No matter how costly they 4fl| gg| ■■ P"
were formerly and regardless hL II m*%
of our reputation for high U I a 1 V
grade merchandise. I
Ladies' and Misses' sizes, fl _-_flfl
including extra sizes up to 57.
TWO STORB!.
"DISCRIMINATORY
PRACTICES" ACT
IS BEFORE HOUSE
Bill Aimed at Oil Producing
Interests Which Have
Juggled State
Prices
SACRAMENTO. Jan. 14.—A "discrim
inatory practices" act aimed at those
oil producing and refining interests
which Assemblyman H. S. Benedict of
Los Angeles says have juggled prices
in different localities to drive out com
petition has been introduced in the
assembly by Mr. Benedict.
The bill. In effect, establishes uni
form prices throughout the state on
"any commodity, product or public
utility," allowing for legitimate differ
ences in cost due to transportation or
favorable manufacturing advantages.
The fact that different prices exist
in different communities made prima
facie evidence that the offending cor
poration is charging the lesser rate
with intent to destroy or prevent com
petition. Any, agent, officer or direc
tor of a corporation Is made equally
responsible with that corporation and
may be convicted by proving the un
lawful intent of the corporation for
which he acts.
Not only are fines and imprisonment
provided for violation of the act, but
upon complaint the attorney general
of the state "shall prosecute an action
in the state supreme court to annul
the charter (if a domestic) or revoke
the license (if a foreign) of that cor
poration to do business in the state
and to permanently enjoin It from do- (
ing business in the state."
<«CUNDAY REST"
O BILL INTRODUCED
SACRAMENTO. Jan. 14*— A "Sunday
rest" bill, which, the author says, has
been especially xlrafted so as not to
interfere with the religious observance
of any sect, was introduced today by
Assemblyman H. S. Benedict of Eos
Angeles. Excepting certain specified
instances, the bill provides a fine of
from $25 to $200. or Imprisonment for
no more than ?>0 days, for any em
ployer or proprietor of any business es
tablishment who works his employes
or remains open for business on Sun-
days.
The saving religious clause provides
that "any person, a member of a re
ligious society observing some other
day of worship, who actually closes his
place of business on that day," may do
business on Sunday.
The bill excepts telephone and tele
graph companies, all persons engaged
in transportation, including stage lines
and public garages, hotels, restaurants,
newspapers, dairy concerns, ministers
or magistrates performing marriage
ceremonies, theaters, sports and amuse
ments, parks, bathhouses, museums,
art galleries and libraries. Drug stores
may remain open from 9 to 11 a. m..
but soda fountains may not dispense
after 1 p. m.
SHANAHAN MEANS
TO RETAIN LAURELS
_____
CALL BUTtEAIT,
SACKA-CENTO HOTEL,
Sacramento, January 14.
Senator Shanahan, democrat, and
father of the free texthook amendment,
is ready to look horns with the commit
tee on education over laurels that may
accrue to the author of the legislation
necessary to carry out the purposes of
the textbook amendment. Shanahan
received notice several days ago that
no individual would be permitted to
make any political capital out of the
measure—that the committee on educa
tion would father the bill.
"They may stop me from finishing.
but they will not stop me from start
ling," declared Shanahan today as he
introduced a bill providing for a new
state board of education, an adminis
tration scheme to be carried out by
salaried commissioners and a plan for
the distribution of free text books.
Subsequently the committee on edu
cation appointed a special committee
consisting of Shanahan, Kehoe and
Avery to devise an emergency scheme
for printing and distributing textbooks
pending the enactment of a new board
of education law.
Johnson to Entertain
(Speci.il Dispatch to The Call)
SACRAMENTO, Jan. 14. —The follow
ing women will receive with Mrs.
Johnson tomorrow afternoon from 4 to
7 o'clock at the reception tendered by
Governor and Mrs. Hiram Johnson to
the members of the legislature, state
officials and their families: Mrs. Frank
Havens and Mrs. Phillip Bowles, Oak
land; Mrs. Hiram W. Johnson Jr., San
Francisco; Mrs. I?. D. Roberts. San Ber
nardino; Mrs. Ernest R. Birdsall, East
Auburn, and Mrs. Earl Johnson Jr.
BRIDE GETS A DIVORCE
Married Less Than Year? Infidelity
Charge Ih Sustained
(Special Dispatch to The Cain
MARTINEZ, Jan. 14.—Ida E. Griffin
Hinges on Cow's Demise
Change Asked by Senator
SACRAMENTO, Jan. 14.—1f
Smith's cow strays upon the rail
road track from Smith* land and
la killed Smith may recover dam
agea, but If Smith's cow first
strays upon Joneti' land and then
upon the railroad track and Is
killed Smith has no recourse, al
thiumh responsibility for main
taining a cow proof fence rests
upon the railroad In both In
stances alike. This la the gtnt of
present court derisions, and Sen
ator A. E. Campbell of San Luis
Obispo considers them unjust.
He haa prepared a hill which
would make the railroad pay for
the cow In either instance.
of Richmond, a bride of less than one
year, was this afternoon granted an in
terlocutory decree of divorce, with the
right to resume her maiden name, from
her husband, Marshall G. Griffin, whom
she accused of infidelity. The couple
were married April 12 last "year and
lived together but two months.
RYAN BOND SECURITY IN
Schedules of £500,000 Property Filed to
Otbn.n Lnion Head's Release
CHICAGO, Jan. 14.—Schedules of
property valued at $500,000 were filed
today with United States Commisisoner
Fodte, preliminary to obtaining bonds
for the release of Frank M. Ryan,
president of the Iron Workers' union;
Richard S. Houlihan and William
Schupe, who were convicted in the In
dianapolis dynamite conspiracy trial.
The bonds are: Ryan, $70,000: Houli
han, $50,000, and Schupe, $10,000*.
L. W. HILL HEADS BANK BOARD
ST. PAUL. Minn., Jan. 14.—Luis W.
Hill today was elected chairman of the
board of directors of the First National
bank, and other railroad men and one
Minneapolis and one Duluth banker
were named as directors at the annual
meeting of the stock holders. James
J. Hill, is owner of the bank.
I Here Are Piano Values I
That Are Real I
I This advertisement is meant to save money 1
I for those who wish to buy pianos economically. 1
I Like every statement made by our house. It is truthful. The |
fl pianos and player pianos referred to are here for your in- B
3 spection and approval, they are exactly as represented in |
■ quality and the reductions ia price are genuine. For these
1 reasons and particularly because you are the real bene-
H factor, the money saver, they justify prompt investigation.
I This Is Our Annual Clearance Sale of New and 1
I Used Pianos and Player Pianos ™ e J e^ r ! * ere I" 01 ** 1
■ * than one hundred
I pianos on which extra special price inducements are made. On many, m
B price reductions of 20 and 25 per cent are offered. You may buy a good
fl used upright piano for less than $100, a better one for $115 and many
fl are here at from $120 to $150 that wilt give honest service for ten
X years and you may buy on very easy terms.
I Now, you may buy a new Krakauer piano which is worth $500 to any
m home at the price ordinarily asked for a commercial piano, or you
fl may buy on easy payments, a modern up-to-date player piano for
m $450 with $25 in music rolls that you would consider reasonably
M priced at $600. For $260, a new Price & Teeple piano of latest style
fi and design that you would call cheap at $325.
I What Is Your Piano Preference? |
fl Almost any standard piano is here for your inspection—LUDWlG,
fl KIMBALL, PACKARD, many STEIN WAYS in grands and uprights.
■ HARDMAN, PEASE, HARRINGTON and many others, all at prices
fl easily the lowest you have ever been offered. wL
m Surely the piano you want is here. The terms are more than reasonable
I and the quality guaranteed-TODAY YOU SHOULD SEE THEM—TODAY.
I | uuii I 5 * ilos angeles !
H Morrlaon at 117 Sonth BL
B TthTw 1 13S-IS3 KEARNY ST. 217-225 SUTTER ST. Lag JSSSt
Helping Californians Help Themselves
Saving Labels Means Saving Money
■——————————-_--—_____________________ _______________ i .
You are not "making the most of everything** if you are
not reading
THE CALL'S "MADE IN CALIFORNIA* PAGE, .
every Monday-
Hundreds of useful articles given for labels—some
thing for boys; something for girls; household necessities
for the housewife and practical presents for "Papa.**
No Blanks — Something for Everybody
Who Will Work
\. : ! i : ! 1 :_>
IOWA HONORS
1915 EXPOSITION
Measure Framed Appropri-I
ating $175,000 for Build
ing and Exhibit ,
Friends of Act Say It Will
Be Passed —Greatest
on Record
DES MOINES, la., Jan. 14. —State Sen
ator Charles H. Thomas of Kent today
completed a bill appropriating $175,000
for an lowa building and exhibit for
the Panama-Pacific exposition at San
Francisco in 1915. The hill will be
presented at the present session of the
legislature, and its friends say it will
be passed.
Senator Thomas said today:
"lowa was represented at Chicago
with a $125,000 appropriation, and at
St. Louis for a like amount. The state
is much richer now, and we ought to
let the people of California, many of
whom are former lowans, know what
they missed by leaving us. It will cost
more to erect the building and take
the exhibit to San Francisco and that
Is the reason I have asked for a larger
sum than we appropriated for Chica"go
and St. Louis."
FORMER MAYOR GUILTY
nioonilncton. 111., Official Fined For
Gambling and Social Evil Complicity
BLOOMINGTON, 111., Jan. 14.—For
mer Mayor Albert Moore, now in the
mining business in Arizona, pleaded
guilty today, by his attorney, to two
counts of indictments charging com
plicity with the gambling and social
evil. Pie was fined $250 on each count,
his attorney promptly paying the fine.
Real Sanitary
Floor Coverings
Floor coverings are the natural
accumulators of dust and dirt—es
pecially coverings made of wool,
cotton and other fabrics.
There is one floor covering, how
ever, that can be kept perfectly
clean and sanitary in all seasons
with little effort. That's CRKX
wire-grass rugs, carpets and run
ners. The largest rug can be
cleaned and freshened in a few
moments with a damp broom.
The great popularity and constant
use of CREX by discriminating
housewi-res proves Its adaptabllitv
for use Indoors and oat —the year
round. CREX combines true sani
tation and natural beauty with ex
ceptional durability and real econ
omy.
Orftst Carpet* »nd _Q
■—I I'" ""^
Most carpet and furniture dealers
carry the CREX line. Go to your
dealer and make a careful inspec
tion. Tou will be well repaid for
your time and trouble.
Tou will find new patterns and
designs in numerous natural color
combinations. Prices are lower than
you usually hare to pay for cotton
or woolen coverings.
Beware of Imitations. Look for
the CREX trade mark almost in
visibly woven in th© binding. A
CREX label is also stitched on
every rug. Identification marka for
your protection and our guarantee
of genuineness.
Insist uporn CREX and you
will not »• disappointed.
CREX CARPET COMPANY
877 Broadway. Tfew T»rk.
Originators of Wlro-Grm—Floor CsMSSmlss_ s
3
