The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-21


bills to be introduced. / know a good many
of the boys have bills prepared which they
don't expect to get considered. They would
like to introduce them SO as to get them be-
fore the people, and have, them talked about
between now and the next session. I suppose
there will be caucus. :.
! James A. Larson Of Redwood is we'll pleased
with the bill, and thinks the legislature ought
not to spend very much time on it. He said
yesterday:
& 81 believe. we ought to get through in
twenty days. AS told T h e GU n a once
before, I am willing to pass the bill just as
it stands, to try it this.year, and let the next
regular session amend it If it is needed. There
will be considerable discussion. of course
and we ought to have a caucus the night be-
fore we meet. We must agree to limit the
session and agree on a course with reference
to the bill. 1t ought to go right on general
orders, without going to the tax committee
at all. e.. @--F r-.-.......
"some have talked to are opposed to the
permanent tax commission, and want to see
the board of equalization retained. haven't
quite made up my mind on that proposition
D. L. Riley of Lakeheld, member Of the
house from Jackson county, has been at
tending the lumtermen's convention. He has
mission in it's entirety, but favors the bill
as general proposition. .'.. l..
"There ia one change I would make In 1t, =
he said 81 would have one tax commits
sioner instead of a commission of three mem
bers. One man can do the business much
better Our railroad and warehouse commits
sion is like wart on woman's nose. 1t is
neither useful nor ornamental. Why? Be-
cause there are three Of them, and two OF
them are not willing to do anything
81 am not in favor of taking up any other
questions at this session, unless the gov
ernor requests them. We have to come to
regulating railroad rates by Legislation be-
fore elong, though. Rates in this state are
40 per cent higher than in Iowa. Our 5000
miles Of road bring in more money than the
5000 miles in Iowa.. Rates ought to be re-
duced, and the only way to do it, 1t seems,
is by Legislation" -. 8 ..-.a1
G. w. w. Harden of Leroy, Mower county,
fayors brief session and prompt action on
the tax bill. He is in favor of doing away
with taxation of all credits.
Il have done some assessing myself" he
said land I know that such property usually
escapes: It is foolish to try to put it on the
tax list -9 -
MrHarden favors the constitutional amend
ment which will give the legislature power
to exempt any class of property.
Senator G, B. Buchanan Of Little Falls Is
heartily in favor of q short session. He
says .+
eve cannot afford to protract the work.
The time may be limited by resolution, but
hardly think that is necessary. l think
there is general disposition among the
members to get through as soon as possible.
1.-The new tax code is good bill, SO far
as l have found time to look it over. 1t
may need some slight changes, but as a gen
eral proposition 1t ought to go through. Aud
itor Dunn's suggestion that we secure the
attendance of the members Of the tax COM
mission is good one. We cannot afford to
| turn out a patch work bill, and the COM
mission should be consulted about all amend
! ments. The work of the session should not
20 much outside the tax report We should
make an appropriation for the St. Louis fair
and some other minor matters may have to
have attention" -
Representative A. G. scherf Of Red Wing
says: 49,. - -
| II am short session man. I want to get
| through our work just as soon as possible.
l would be willing to vote the bill through
| just as it comes, with the possible exception
of the $25 exemption clause. The members OF
| the tax commission know a good deal more
| about the subject than any of us, and am
| willing to take their Judgment"
| Senator George P. Wilson, chairman of the
Hennepin delegation, says that at least eigh.
teen of the twenty-three members from Hen
nepin favor The new tax code practically az
| it stands. He has been urged to call an ad-
vance meeting for the purpose of discussion
but does not consider it necessary. 1t might
arouse some antagonism in discussion, which
hn
'There are certain broad features of the
bill which commend themselves to me.
! am heartily in favor of the proposition tc
| establish permanent tax commission and E
state board of review. The present state board
| Of equalization is unwieldy, and its sessions
| are largely consumed in the efforts of tn,
various members of the board to obtain spec
| ial favors for their particular localities. A
state board Of review would remedy this
abuse There has been some criticism OF the
commission because of alleged failure to pro
vide for the taxation of foreign corporations
Foreign corporations doing business in thu
| state should pay their share Of the states
taxes, and the legislature should give the mat
! ter It's careful consideration.
/ II in hopes that the new code will &C
upon the statute books with a minimum OF
| amendment and with as short session of the
| legislature as 80 important a subject will
permit, and shall use my influence to thai
end"
! Senator George w. Somerville of Sleepy
Eye is very well satisfied with the tax code
as whole. and thinks it should be disposed
of speedily. He does not consider it radical
but thinks some of Its features may be safely
| amended without injuring the context H;
| favors combining the work to the tax Law
and an appropriation for the governors fgh
against the merger.