The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-19

The state board of equalization devoted
its attention yesterday to farm machin-
cry and concluded that portion OF the
work AS the subject was one in which
neither Ramsey nor Hennepin is particu-
larly interested, both Senator Mcmillan
and Mr. McKibbin were absent. In the
absence of Senator Mcmillan Mr.. Potter
occupied the chair. After some desultory
talk 1t was agreed that in fixing the val
nations in the various counties the fig
ures of last year should not be taken
as a criterion and that the action Of the
board should be based upon the returns
OF the year and raised or lowered as
should appear just from comparison Of
the counties as to their relative location,
popula ton and other conditions. How
ever, when the board got down to work
it appeared that the figures as fixed by
the same board last year were considered
paramount and in almost every instance
where raise was MADE it was in con-
folmity with those figures.
In most cases action was taken with
out much discussion, but there were DIT
times differences of opinion. This was
particularly so in regard to Fillmore
county The assessors returns for this
year showed a total on farm machinery
Of s10O.856, and the amount as fixed by
the state board last year was $3.50, 637.
Mr.. Meighen moved that the amount be
left as returned by the assessor, but to
this Mr.. Cooley objected, saying that
the returns showed a shrinkage of %
per cent, and he could see no good cause
for that. Mr.. Meighen replied that the
raise made by the board was an inius-
tice, and he thought, in comparison with
the other counties in the lower tier Fill
more would be fully assessed if the fig
u1es were left as returned.
On motion of Mr.. Cooley an increase of
q per cent was made, but later the ac-
ton was reconSidered and rescinded
On motion of Mr.. Cooley, Freedom
county was raised-49~per- cent
The members, 4all0 agreed that in the
western, or strictly wheat growing coun-
ties, more and better machinery was used
than in other parts of the state, and their
action was governed accordingly.
When St. Louis county came up for
consideration the other members had
good opportunity to retaliate upon Mr.
Cooley for his activity in having the
OlleI counties raised ana UnSy proceeded
to have little fun at his expense The
assessors returns showed only 1854,
while the amount at which the county
was assessed last year was $7,S67 Mr..
Fiddes moved that an increase of 800 per
cent be made, and his motion was prompt
~ seconded by Mr.. Meighen. Mr.. Cooley
FASTENED to explain that the discrepancy
was all in the city of Duluth, where the
only implements in any way allied to
farm machinery were lawn mowers, and
they We're assessed under another head
After some more good natu1ed banter the
figures from st. Louis county, were ap-
proved.
The assessors figures from Norman
county were left unchanged, in consfdera-
ton of the fact that large portion Of
the crops-in that section have been de-
stroyed by hail, The assessors returns
were $61,217 and the amount as fixed by
the board last year. $S3010.
In some cases Increases as great as
so per cent were made, as is shown by the
Following list, which includes all the i'm
portant changes: -..,-. .-