The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
| Minnesota Legislature
new MENACE
TO TAX BILL
Wallace Compromise Con-
verts Enemies, but Es-
FRANCES Friends.
But the House Adopts the
Wallace Amendments by
a Decisive Vote.
/: In the house this afternoon the
!: Wallace amendments were adopt ::
/: ed by a vote Of 81 to 46. ::

A new menace to the tax bill doomed
before legislators this morning. BY the
Wallace compromise, enemies Of the bill
have been won over. On the other hand,
some Of it's friends loudly threaten
desertion. The Wallace compromise
amendment was agreed to last night by
representatives of two elements con-
ference was held at the Windsor between
the leading supporters Of the bill and
several house members who have OPP
posed 1t on account of it's drastic fea-
lures These amendments, which re-
enact the present law as to listing prop
erty, were pronounced satisfactory and
the prospects last night were bright for
the speedy passage of a compromise bill
in the house 1885,
To-day farmer members of the legisla-
ture, who have been supporting the bill,
declare they will vote against compro-
mise. They reason this way: If the
drastic features are eliminated, personal
property will escape as it does now. Farm
property, however, will be assessed at its
full value and the burden of the state tax
will fall more heavily upon the rural tax
payer. This argument has been indus
triously circulated by coterie which is
out to kill the bill in any shape.
The effect of this talk is marked and ad-
vocates of the bill are alarmed. They
seem to be between two fires. With the
Wallace amendment they may lose large
share of the country members. Without
the amendment they will lose their newly
gained allies. The latter are not par
ticularly ent husiastic over the compro-
mise to-day They are willing to vote
for it, but are not so sure that they will
support the bill after all. Whatever is
done with the amendment, the bill will
be fought by the element which is out to
protect the public service corporations.
'.Jake'' Won't Stay Put.
Mr.. Jacobson was satisfied with the
Wallace amendments last evening, but
kicked over the traces this morning. He
declared on the floor that Mr.. Wallace
had gone too far in his concession to the
favored classes, who have been escaping
their just share of taxation. He offered
an amendment to 60 with the Wallace
amendments It is a clause leveled at
the tax dodger.
It gives the county auditor a club over
the man, who refuses or neglects to list
or who refuses to swear to the list he
makes. The assessor is instructed to
make note of these cases on his return
to the county auditor, who is then to
add so per cent, to the assessment as a
y, hrSv,
the taxpayer to time and result in his
swearing to a statement before the county
board in order to get the penalty omitted.
Mr.. Jacobson tried to get a vote on his
amendment before the noon recess; but
opponents Of the bill wanted time and
forced adjournment until p. m. The
two hours were busy ones for both friends
and foes of tax legislation. Friends of
the compromise got together at the hotel
and in the capitol corridors. Farmer
members were open in their threats that
they would kill the compromise, or kill
the bill. FL
Tax Bill Reaches Senate.
The tax bill is at last before the SEN
ate but has mot been taken up for dis
cussion. 1t was reported out this morn
ing by the committee, without change or
recommendation.
A Coup de Grace by Indirection.
1t was rumored during the recess that
those house members who were out to kill
! the bill had decided to vote solidly for the
Wallace amendments believing that there
by they would drive enough support from
the bill to enable them to heat it. HI
j. T. Lommen of Clay, who has been a
supporter Of the bill, said: Il will vote
against the Wallace amendments, and if
they pass l will vote against the bill. i
| cannot go back to my constituents and
say that I have helped to cut the tax bill
In two, letting the cities off and taxing
the farmer"