Show AGREE TO TAX BILL although the tax legislation enacted by the legislature is not in accord with the expectations of the mining interests representatives of the leading mining companies of the state yesterday indicated a willingness to forego their desires in the matter in order that governor Bamber geer might not be handicapped in reaching a decision as to the disposition of senate bill no 36 says the daily tribune of the the attitude of the mining companies was outlined briefly in a letter received yesterday by the governor from walter fitch of eureka who acted as chairman of the committee of mining men during the negotiations which resulted in an amicable settlement a few weeks ago of the litigation involving the occupation cu tax for the year 1918 at the time the matter was settled there was a general understanding among the mining men state officials and some of the members of the legislature that the new legislation should provide for the taxation of mines on the basis of not to exceed three times the net proceeds the majority of the members of the lower house of the legislature however did not inclined to respect it and when the bill was returned to the senate it provided for the taxation of mines on a basis of three times the net proceeds the deadlock which resulted was broken during the closing days of the session when the senate acceded to the wishes of the lower house agreement understood during the negotiations between the two houses on the bill it was frequently asserted that the governor would not approve the bill unless it conformed to the agreement reached at the time the litigation was settled immediately after passing the bill bil 1 contrary to the terms of the agreement the legislature issued an apology for its action however in the form of a resolution andors ing g the action of the governor and other state officials in settling the suit amicably and conveying a vote of confidence in the administration while the governor declined to dis discuss cuss the profitable fate of the bill there was a general impression that he felt honor bound to act adversely on the measure unless the raining mining companies were agreeable to the terms of the legislation enacted the letter delivered to the governor yesterday reeves alieves him from further obligation in the matter latter in so far as the mining companies are concerned it follows clause is admitted the committee from the mine operators of utah which has heretofore conferred with your excellency respecting the taxation of mines and the repeal of the so called occupation tax has been advised that you have in your hands senate bill no 36 as amended which deals with mine taxation and the repeal of the occupation tax act this is act fixes the multiple to be used in determining the value of mines or mining claims at three times the net annual proceeds thereof omitting the provision that such multiple should not exceed three times the te net annual proceeds the act as passed is not in accordance with either the spirit or letter of the agreement between yourself the state board of equalization the secretary of state the attorney general the state treasurer the state auditor and the mine operators made at the time the occupation tax was paid by those who were contesting the validity of the same while the mine operators feel that they have not been accorded the treatment to which they were entitled under the circumstances cum stances existing at the time the occupation tax was laid still they realize that your excellency has done all in your power to live up to the agreement and for that reason we are directed by the mine operators to advise you that you are released from any obligation express or implied so far as they are concerned and are at liberty to take such action as your judgment may dictate with respect to approving or disapproving the mine tax bill above referred to in connection with this whole matter however we desire to say that we think it is proper for the year 1919 to collect the occupation tax as provided by chapter 96 of the laws of 1917 and the tax upon the net proceeds of mines pursuant to the provisions of section 4 of article XIII which was in force and effect until january 1 1919 11 |