The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-02-14
MAY COMPROMISE
Friends and Some Opponents
of Tax Bill May Join.
Though 1t Will Result in the Passage
of a Tax BiII--constitutionaI Con-
vention Growing in Favor.


talk was in the air yesterday at st.
Paul. It is freely predicted that. with
in week the active friends of the
tax bill will have joined hands with a
strong element of the opposition.
Members who are pushing the tax
bill have come to realize within the
past few days that in it's present from
the bill will be most obnoxious to
many interests that have justly pro-
tested. The complaints Of the banks
and the grain men are held to be in
large measure just ones.
Much of the opposition in the legis-
lature comes from members who be-
lieve it will seriously harm these in
erests. They sincerely want to see a
tax bill passed, and will cheerfully
support bill with the drastic features
eliminated. Those sections which give
the assessors inquisitorisl power are
particularly obnoxious. ...
Supporters of the bill are willing, in
order to get it through, to submit to
amendments that will remove this
feature. This will enlist the before
mentioned element in support of the
bill.
The only real opposition to the meas
ure in the amended form will come
from the public service corporations,
and the fight will probably narrow
down to the question of franchise tax
alton. The bill will be amended. either
in committee or on the -four. The YES
sci tax amendment will be tackled on,
the exemption will be restored to 500,
and the date of listing to May 1.
Then, with the drastic features elm
mated. a clean fight will be made to
pound the bill through.
This compromise program, it is be-
lieved, will command the support of
majority of the house committee,
namely, Messrs,. Wallace, Torson,
Larson, jacobson, Hymes, Kelly, J. A.
Peterson, Burns, Ward and Schwarg.
If this surmise proves accurate, the
amendments will probably be made
in the house committee Sherman
Smith, author of the constitutional
convention bill, is anxious to get
prompt action on it. 1t was referred
to the committee on taxes and tax
laws and the judiciary committee,
jointly. There is disposition in the
former committee to hold up the
Smith bill until action is taken on the
tax bill.
W. B. Anderson of Winona, who has
been classed with the opponents of the
bill, said yesterday that he would
support tax bill properly amended.
@@"I think there is wisdom enough in
the legislature, said Mr.. Anderson,
"to get together a bill that will in
corporate the good features of the new
law, but will not work the threatened
harm to business interests. l have been
in favor of submitting the amendments
and putting the bill over until the
next session but if the friends of the
bill offer compromise that will re-
move my objections, I shall support the
bill at this session expect COM
promise measure to pass. I also expect
to see the constitutional convention
bill passed and the proposed constitu-
tional amendments submitted after
they have been put in a little more
satisfactory shape
The house committee on taxation re-
sumed its session at 2 80 p m. Messrs.
Childs and Ives of the fax commission
attended. Henry Plowman, from OF
ter Tail, spoke for the California plan
of mortgage taxation. His bill en-
bodying this plan was defeated last
winter. It makes the mortgage real
instead of personal property and di,
vides the tax between the owner of the
land and the owner of the mortgage.
Mr.. Plowman declared the present sys
tenn an injustice both to the signel
and to the citizen of Minnesota loan
ing money in this state who is taxed
while outside capitalists escape.