The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-11
BEGIN At BOTTOM
W. y. Washburn .Jr. Places Constitu-
tiona1 Revision First.
HE FAvoRs THE INCOME TAX
Also Believes That constitutional
Amendments Will Pass II a scien-
tifc Plan Is Presented.

w. D. Washburn, Jr., member of the
house from the forty-first district, is of
the opinion that it is useless to attempt
the reconstruction of the tax laws under
the present constitution. He favors
constitutional convention empowered to
clear the ground for the erection OF
scientific tax structure. He is also strong
ly in favor Of the substitution OF an ln-
come tax as an easy solution of the tax
difficulties that beset the state.
Mr.. Washburn. who is a close student
of economic questions, and a man whose
position on public questions can be read
lily determined. has other recommends
lions which will be of interest to those
interested in the general subject of taxa
ton. In an interview with T h J r
n to-day he said:
In my opinion, there is little use in trying
to reform the tax system under the present
constitution. am strongly in favor of hold
ing constitutional convention at the earliest
possible moment, which will permit us to
amend our tax system and make other needed
Improvements in legislation. II this is not
done, we should certainly pass such constitu-
tional amendments as will permit us to erect
a scientific tax system, starting at the bot
tom. There is no use in erecting an expen-
sive house on "a rotten foundation. And,
manifestly, there is no use In the legislature
spending several weeks-and the money OF
the STATEN patching up old tax laws which
must be set aside when the necessary amend
ments are adopted.
The real gst of the proposed tax law is the
enforcement Of a personal tax law by strn-
gent and drastic measures. Now it should
be borne in mind that no nation has ever yet
enforced a personal property tax law with
either profit to the state or benefit to the
! community. The method of collection recon-
mended in the present report OF the commits
|
not be tolerated by any business community.
believe that the legislature should rec
ommend the excellent laws which the tax
commission suggests, but which it says can
not be made effective under the present con-
| stitution.
If the legislature will present scientific
! method of taxation that appeals to the people
| the amendments will probably be passed. If
we only offer the present poor system, that
! is to be patched up by the present legislature,
1 very much question whether the amend
ments would be adopted by the people.
Favors an Income Tax.
! I think the attempt to collect personal taxes
| should be largely abandoned. and the desider-
alum accomplished by substituting an income
! tax.
| Again, I do not believe savings deposits
should be taxed in amounts under $500, also
that all personal property should be exempted
under 800.
! am opposed to taxing mortgages, for the
reason that it is double taxation, and results
| in driving money out of the state when IS
| needed for our own people.
! think the great mining companies in the
! northern part of the state should pay fair
tax. These properties are to-day worth $780,
| O00, 900. They are taxed only about $25O,OOO,
which is hardly over a quarter OF per cent
. On tonnage basis of 10 cents, We should
! q M n onrn n1lf Hf C
iron mines without doing them any injustice
| whatever. tax on franchises would also
bring in a large amount which now escapes
| taxation altogether.
/ I also think that all credits should be set
against bills payable, and that a man should
only pay taxes on the amount or free-caplta
4 that he possesses. St
4 AS to the matter of an income tax, I believe
that public sentiment against this form O.
taxation is abating. 1t is very apparent tina
solne method must be adopted to secure {
revenue from personal property, and the in
come tax is a fair method of achieving tina
result Such a tax is collected without diff
, Guilty in England, Germany and France, AM
, as soon as our people are educated up to 1t
! they will find it the easiest and faiIest schem
yet devised for collecting taxes. =
Time for Study Needed.
AS the matter of taxation has now ap
$
l different countries. we should adopt all G
the best methods derived from their expert
Ience and then recommend to the people tina
y they pass such amendments to the constitutio
v las will enable the next legislature to act.
: is simply out of the question to pass sweepin
y tax laws within three weeks or three month!
4 The subject is complicated, almost unstudlet
q and it will require considerable time for til
] people to understand tax legislation, or tn
o best system for them to adopt. I bellev
; therefore. that the legislature should recon
y mend the very best legislation and leave til
. people to enforce the same in the next legis
o. lature.
. I am perfectly willing to patch up the pres
q | ent laws, if the legislature SO desires, an
i shall urge no particular objections. I thin]
however, it will be a waste of time. excel
for its educational value.
After careful consideration. it seems to n
that many of the farmers who are anxious
: have the pending measure passed, will fin
: that such contamination would result
largely increasing their tax burdens. The al
: SCISSOR may possibly pick UP $40, GOO more
~ personal property under it. but in so doiI
the assessment on farm lands will certain
u be Increased $780, O00 900 or $780, 900, 900. TT
l. taxing of wheat on farms and Of cattle at re
= value will very materially increase the burde
~ of the taxpaying farmer. By progressi'
u income tax, however, and "a fair tax on Ian
10 the agricultural classes will certainly IA
~ much better than under the measure now el
TO gaging tho attention Of the two branches
% the legislature.
e CHILLY DAYS AHEAD