The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-29
EXPRESSIONS OF PROMINENT MEN
WHO THINK IMPROVEMENTS
SHOULD BE EXEMPT,
THINK PRESENT SYSTEM BAD,
LIKE IMPOSING A FINE BECAUSE
A MAN SEEKS TO GET
AHEAD.
NO INCENTIVE TO SPEND MONEY,
Because the More He Spends Now
the More He Pays for Being
Allowed to Do So.

Interviews with business and profess
siOnal men on the question of whether
improvements on real estate should be
exempt from taxation show that
large number of them favor the single
tax. Some of these in brief are as fol-
lows:
A. R. Gauger Architect and excluding In
Spector-I am of the opinion that ii no taxes
were levied upon imprOy ements and industry
it would be a benefit to the people who live
in the city and really make it. 1t cannot
hurt the poor man. He has but one lot, any
how, and his taxes would be lowered.
Judge John withstand is the source OF
all wealth, and SUCH is just subject OF
taxation. It's Improvement by the hand OF
man affords employment and increases the
worlds store. It's dtsuse limits the vantage
ground OF industry. Therefore, to encourages
its disuse, by fixing penalty upon improve
ment, can neither be commended nor defend
ed. | favor the exemption Of all structures
from the imposition of taxes.
COL Welz, of the Ryan Hotel-It is a good
idea. We should encourage improvements.
II those who improve taxed too high it
discourages them. The rich holders OF city
property don't like to improve. 1t pays bet
ter to hold land idle for the rise.
Capt. Henry A. Castle, ex-Postmaster--I fa-
vor the plan to allow the exemption of in1-
provements from taxation. 1t would encour-
mutation of great fortunes from simply own
ling land and collecting the ground values as
is the case with the Aston fortune.
no reason why the man who improves should
be Immediately fined for his industry. The
present system discourages improvement.
w. II. Anderson, Merchant, Merriam Park
More than nine enths Of the people would be
benefited by the exemption of improv ements
from taxation 1t would relieve their homes
and industries from a great burden, besides
increasing business and wages.
j. H. McGilvra. Northwestern Agent for
Electrical Specialties-We have too long pur-
sued the plan of filming people for industry
iS q OF fail aaaf
us have change Tax improved property
no more than idle land by the side Of it.
~ ); "A. Reyes, OF Duluth Author of the Aus
Attorney General-ExemptiOn of improve
ments would greatly stimulate all legitimate
business and discourage speculation.
Tams Btxby, Private Secretary to Gov.
Clough-Yes, let improvements be exempt, IL
the people so decide. The present tax on
improvements hurts every owner of a homo
or farm or business establishment in the
state.
c. A. Pillsbury, Head Of the PilIsbury-
Washburn Milling Company-I have not had
time for the past year or two. to give any
thought to the single tax problem. My ideas
are, without giving the matter much thought,
that there are great many good things in the
single tax theory; and If this country and
other countries could have been started in the
first place upon that basis 1t would have re-
suited in more equitable system of taxa
ton, but people have invested their money
under the impression that the old system
would remain in vogue, and it probably would
make very radical changes in values if the
single tax theory should be put fully into eff
feet. | would favor gradual legislation in that
direction, with the view of seeing how 1t
would work; and if it worked all right to con-
tinue legislation in the same direction. While
in the legislature l was instrumental in hav-
ing taxes for water mains and sewers and
some other improvements levied according to
that basis, instead of according to value Of
both land and Improvements. 1t seemed to me
that was most just, and I had not then
heard Of the single tax doctrine.
Col. e. II. G. Taylor, Auditor Of the North
ern Pacific Ra!lway-It has always seemed to
me poor business policy to tax improvements
lt says to a man: The more you work and
improve and beautify the more we will tax
you"
P. B. Winston, ex-mayor of Minneapolis
! see no objection to the plan Of exempting
improvements. The people Of each locality
ought to have the right to lay taxes in their
own way.
w. P. Murray-No objection to the exemp-
ton OF improvements from taxation for local
purposes, so that each town, city or county
pays its share of state taxes let them do as
they please as to local taxes.
John Dale, cOntractor-No tax on industry
Don't increase peoples taxes because they
build and engage in productive enterprises.
James Middleton, real estate-If we could
have started with the land tax plan 1t would
have been a great thing; benefit to all, an
injury to none. The city would have spread
out systematically and all would have been
improved as far as plated. If the plan were
to be adopted now, while 1t would benefit all
well improved property, 1t would squeeze out
many who holding valuable land unim-
proved.
George G. Lambert, attorney-By ill means
the bill should pass to allow exemption of i'm
prOvements from taxation. This would give
the producer the benefit of his labor. 1t would
encourage improvement and discourage idle
holdings.
J. NJ. Hawthorne-By exempting improve
ments and industry from taxation Minnesota
would have less lying to escape taxes and
more large business houses and manufacturing
plants; fewer people without homes and more
in comfortable circumstances.
o. G. Gregg, superintendent OF Farmers
INSTRUCTIVE matter has been agitated a good
deal, and 1t ought to be tested AS time passes
the laws that have governed us in the past
must be changed 10 meet new conditions. I
am naturally conservative, but heartily ap-
prove allowing the people to test the land
tax plan as suggested by the amendment Of
the Tax Reform association.
F. f. Edmund, county treasuTer-Taxes
should be just as light as possible on i'm
provements. l am not yet sure there should
be none at all.
Gen. George L. Becker would like to see
the plan tried. 1t is the most important prop
osition that has come up. If it should prove
to be just, 1t would lead to It's general adop-
ton.
William Kingsley. building inspector-It
is remarkable how this idea of not taxing
buildings and other improvements takes with
the people Most of them / hear speak Of 1t
favor 1t.