Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-16
Believes Present Taxation Laws
are Inadequate.
RELIEF WITH CHANGE OF SENTIMENT
Says People Will Some Time Take
View that Tax Dodger Is an Un-
worthy Person-corporations, Capt.
: tai, Labor and Other Questions.

Des Moines, Jan. 16.-(Special)- -
Hon. A. B. Cummins who was induct,
ed into Office as executive of the state
of Iowa. in his inaugural address de
livered today, says he believes that
fifty per cent of the stock of every
trade combination in existence is pure
fiction. He does not believe that pub
licity will cure the evil of over capi-
talization or that state laws will fully
remedy the matter. He is of the opin-
ion that the question is national one
and that the time has come to amend
the constitution of the United States
in order to obtain remedy.
Governor Cummins' idea on the tar
iff and reciprocity is that he believes
not only in tariff for revenue only
but also tariff that will equalize con-
ditions under which manufacturing in
dustries are carried on in the Unitel
States. Yet he cannot resist the con-
clusion that some changes might be
made in the existing tariff, not, how
ever, through reciprocal treati ss but
directly. He says, too, that the
American people will not tolerate
condition of affairs which permits
goods manufactured in America to be
sold in foreign market cheaper tnan
they are sold in this country. If coa-
gress finds that this is the policy in
certain lines it ought to declare they
no longer need the fostering care of
the tariff
OF labor and capital the governor
says the inequalities of genius to
make money cannot be regulated by
the government yet he believes that
the civil power should be evoked to
fully protect the laborer and surround
him with those things which will
make him a good citizen.
In connection with corporations the
governor mentions the fact that lob
bying in the sense that men are paid
to dodge the footsteps of legislators,
is an evil that should be scourgel
from the legislature even as Christ
scourged the money changers from
the temple at Jerusalem.
The most fragrant defect IN the exc
cution of the taxation laws is tnat
large part of the personal property es-
capes paying its just dues, says the
governor He does not believe that
present plans are sufficient ana says
that eventually some Off -ec Of the
county will have to perform the duty
now done by contract. The final relief
will come, the governor thinks, in the
sentiment that the tax dodger is an
unworthy citizen.
Speaking of railroads in this CON
nection Mr.. Cummins says NET earn.
ings, have different meanings with
different roads and in this respect the
fnadequacy of the law is very appar-
ent He is in favor of taxing lines nf
transportation in July instea of
March, Or at the time when the eXecu-
tive council is in session and has I'M
der review the assessment of other
kinds of property
1t Is advocated that Iowa be among
the first in representation at the Louis.
lana Purchase exposition but makes
no specific declarations.
The governor is pleased with the
fact that it is proposed to erect in the
A1IiOldi pdi ~ dI Suitable
monument to the memory of the ra-
tion's defenders who fell on this his
toric battle field. The speedy coLl,
pletion of the work of the state h:sto-
rical society is advocated. He be-
, lieves that the time has arrived for q
thorough and complete review of the
whole subject of our educational ins:i,
tutions and in this correction advo
Gates the establishment of additional
normal schools.
He recommends that the state agri
cultural college at Ames be so
strengthened as. to give 1t at least an
equal chance with other colleges OF
like character and that the needs OF
the state university at Iowa City be
looked after in a manner that will
give the regents no concern as to its
welfare.
Governor Cummins concludes with a
glowing eulogy on the men and women
of this, the greatest republic on
eaNth.