The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-07
TO WATCH TA|XLAWs'
A State Wide Combination of Bus
mess Interests Proposed.
AN ORGANIZATION FOR DEFENSE
Work Done at the
Polls.

Any scheme of tax reform developed
along the line proposed by the discredited
report of the tax commission will here
after be confronted by the most formid-
legislative measure In Minnesota.
When opposition to the new tax code
was crystalized in petition signed by
hundreds of prominent firms in the state,
the signers of the petition practically be-
came charter members of an association
organized for the purpose of looking after
the business of taxation insofar as it af-
fects the business interests of the state.
In other words, practically every elevator
and grain firm, every banking Institution,
every lumber and jobbing concern, every
! milling industry, in short, every interest
! unfavorably affected by the bill submitted
| by the tax commission, has combined
with the others to defeat the political
ambitions of any man or set of men who
stand for that measure or any other of
| like character.
Hereafter no aspirant for political hon
ors in the legislature or the state offices
who stands for certain features of the de-
feated tax bill will be permitted to real
ize his hopes at the polls if the new busi-
ness mems organization can prevent it..
! glance at the formidable array of
names to the petition presented to the
Legislature by the Hennepin delegation on
Feb shows the extensive ramifca tions
of the new movement. The list includes
practi cally every business interest in the
state, and fairly bristles with the names
of men prominent in the business world.
Real estate. men, insurance men, capital
lists, investment firms, lawyers, mer-
chants, will combine to defeat what they
regard as vicious tax legislation and to
.secure equitable treatment at the hands OF
future legislators and state officials
G. M. Harrington, under whose direc.
tions the petition was prepared, says he
has no doubt but that the men who signed
it will readily lend their influence to the
proposed plan. Asked If it was bust
ness mans movement pure and simple
Mr.. Harrington replied that 1t was
"Self-prese rvation is responsible for it,
said Mr.. Harrington. eve cannot stant
idly by and see business ruined by bat
legislation. Had the proposed tax bill
libecome a law, it would, have ruined thu
business of nearly every firm that signet
the petition. We will make it our bust
ness to send men to the legislature VIII,
will not pass that kind of laws. We will
say to the signers of the petition, w,
must stand together for mutual protec
ton ~ 49,
This will not be a question of politic
with us, but of men-men who understand
what will best conserve business interests
/. 1t Will not be our purpose to devise al
ideal tax system. Ours is a movement TO
} preservation, as I said before TIL
| work of forming an equitable and efficien
, plan Of taxation must be left to Others
7 There is no business interest that j
not represented in the petition which w
sent to the legislature. AS to our meth
cd OF procedure, it is yet too early t
speak. However, the men who signed tn
petition have pretty clear idea Of it
. meaning, and they will be asked to len
{ their influence in furtherance of the goo
+ work of defeating legislation inimical t
| the best interests of the state"