The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-23

cation to State Bankers-Must
Pay a Yearly Tax.
1t is already evident that there is
going to be a good deal of trouble In
this state, as we'll as in others, in col
lecting the war revenue tax. This will
be due in great measure to the fact
that it will be difficult to convince all
the men who are liable to special taxes
that they are 50 liable, and in larger
measure, perhaps, to the human dis
position to avoid the payments of taxes
on any and all grounds.
There is on all hands the most COM
plete ignorance of the provisions of the
bin and small bankers, brokers and
others affected will find themselves in
all sorts of trouble, for it is not near
~ as easy to dodge Uncle Sans tax
collector as it is to get away from the
local party. The bill affects almost
every branch of trade and industry.
The man who makes a million dollar
real estate deal VIII have to affiX Fifty
Dollar stamp to the instrument that
passes. while the citizen who earns his
life by the noisy but invigorating
means of running a bowling alley will
have to contribute So a year towards
the maintenance of the general govern
ment Never has there been such a
radical change in the administration of
the affairs OF government as this will
be. for most people have forgotten the
fact that they have been paying in
some way for the support of the gen.
eral government. The bill provides a
stamp for what it cannot reach by
special tax, and If it is fully enforced
one-half of the people will have to put
I'm their time watching the other half.
enough disposed of for the law invali-
dates all Instruments that do not bear
the necessary stamp. That feature will
enforce itself
The fact that the special tax Is go
Ing TO cause trouble was evidenced yes
terday when small merchandise brok-
er went into the office of Collector Won
Bombach and gave it out that he did
not believe he should be liable to the
special tax of $50 per year levied on
brokers, on the ground that he repre-
sented a nonresident house and was
different from a travelling salesman
only in the fact that he paid rent on
an office; the fact that he contributed
10 the welfare of the community ought
not to make him liable to taxation. He
argued that the law would put a prem
ium on the drummer and that brokers
having local offices would give them up.
and then calmly told him that he knew
nothing about 1t, but that the blanks
for return would be made and that he
would be expected to contribute his
twenty about the first of the coming
month.
The collector asked The Globe to
notify the bankers throughout the
state Of the provisions of the bill, as
he doubts the ability of the office to
get personal notification to all of them.
The following digest of the law in
dicates the application of the special
tax:
Bankers employing a capital not exceed
ing SIS oGo. $50: employing a capital exceed
ing S25, 000 for every additional 81 600 50
surplus included in capital. The amount Of
such annual tax is to be computed on the
basis of the capital and surplus for the pre-
ceding fiscal year.
Savings banks having no capital stock ard
whose business is confined to receiving de-
posits aud Ioaning or investing the same for
the benefit of their depositors, and which do
no other business of banking, are not sub
ject 70 this tax.
Brokers, $50; but any person having paid
the special tax as banker shall not be re-
quired to pay the special tax as broker.
Pswnbrokers. $50.
Commercial brokers, 500.
Custom house brokers, SO.
Proprietors OF theaters, museums and con-
cert halls in cities of more than 25 600 pop
ulation, 500. This does not include halls
rented or used occasionally for concerts or
theatrical representations.
Circuses, 500. No special tax paid in one
state IS 30 exempt exhibitions from tax in
another state, but one special is to be I'M
posed for exhibitions within any one state.
Proprietors or agents of all other public
exhibitions or shows fer money not enumerat-
ed here SO.
Bowling alleys and billiard rooms S. for
each alley or table.
The general provisions of the stamp
tax for valuable instruments are, brief
~, as follows:
Bank check. draft, or certificate of deposit
not drawing interest or order for the pay
ment of any sum of money drawn upon or
Issued by any bank, trust company or any
person or persons. companies or corporations
will be taxed two cents.
Bills of exchange inland), drafts, cert'fl-
cate Of deposit drawing interest, or order for
the payment of any sum Of monay oh T.
wise than at sight or on demand or any
pTomissory note except bank notes issued
for circulation and for each renewal of the
same for a sum not exceeding $500, will be
taxed two cents, aud for each additional 800
or fractional part thereof in excess of $780,
two cents.
On bills of exchange (foreign) or letters of
credit, il drawn sing,y for a sum nct OK
ceeding S100, four cents, and for each 800 or
fractional part thereof in excess of s100, four
cents. IS drawn in sets of two or more, for
every Dill OF each set. where the sum do 8
not exceed 500 in any foreign currency two
cents. and for each 500 or fractional rart
In excess of 500, two cents.
On bills of lading or receipt (other than
charter party for any goods or merchandise
10 cents. pOD'
The tax applies to other than bank
instruments and takes in every form
of insurance policy, including the petty
~ I'm