The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-10

Compromise talk is in the air to-day
at St. Paul. 1t is freely predicted that
within 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 its present form the bill will
be most obnoxious to many interests
that have justly protested. The COM
plants of the banks and the grain men are
held to be in large measure just ones.
Much of the opposition in the legisla-
ture comes from members who believe 1t
will seriously harm these interests. They
sincerely want to see tax bill passed,
and will cheerfully support bill with
the drastic features eliminated. Those
sections which give the assessors inquisi-
torial power are particularly obnoxious.
Supporters of the bill are willing, in
order to get it through, to submit to
amendments that will remove this fea-
ture. This will enlist the before men
toned element in support of the bill.
The only real opposition to the measure
in the amended form will come from the
public service corporations and the fight
will probably narrow down to the question
Of franchise taxation. The bill will be
amended, either in committee or on the
floor. The vessel 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
eliminated. clean fight will be made to
pound the bill through. ~
This compromise program, it is believed
will command the support of a majority
Of the house committee, namely, Messrs
Hymes, Kelly, J. A. Peterson, Burns
Ward and Schwarg If this surmise
proves accurate, the amendments will
probably be made in the house commit
tee. .... . .-ss5- :. 3 g...,s-. :: :
Sherman Smith, author of the constitu-
tional convention bill, is anxious to gel
prompt action on 1t. It was referred tc
the committee on taxes and tax laws and
the Judiciary committee, jointly. There
is a disposition in the former. commit
tee to hold up the Smith bill until action
is taken on the tax bill.
+ Won by Compromise Plan.
w. D.. Auu6FSOu OIL WluOud, VIII uds
been classed with the opponents of the
bill, said this morning that he would sup.
port a tax bill properly amended.
II think there is wisdom enough In the
legislature" said Mr.. Anderson, ito get
together bill that will incorporate the
good features of the new law, but will MOI
work the threatened harm to business in:
terests. I have been in favor of sib-
uniting the amendments and putting the
bill over until the next session; but If the
friends of the bill offer a compromise that
will remove my objections, shall support
the bill at this session. expect com
promise measure to pass. I also expect tc
see the constitutional convention bill
passed and the proposed constitutional
!. amendments submitted after they have
been put in little more satisfactory
shape"
Another House Hearing.
The house committee on taxation re-
sumed it's session at 2:30 p. m. Messrs
Childs and Ives, Of the tax commission,
attended. Henry Plowman, from Otter
Tail. spoke for the California plan OF
mortgage taxation. His bill embodying
this plan was defeated last winter. II
makes the mortgage real instead of per-
sonal property and divides the tax be-
tween the owner of the land and the own
er of the mortgage. Mr. PloWman de-
clared the present system an injustice
both to the signer and to the citizen OF
Minnesota loaning money in this state
who is taxed while outside capitalists
escape.