The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-06
They Are Confronted by the Pros
pect Of a Regular Tax Bill
Avalanche.
Republicans Figure Out Program
to Do Some Good Work II
the Bill Fails.

drew the section relating to vessels myself,
and though it was somewhat disfgured by the
legislative mill, it the intent of the
legislature TO make the tonnage tax valid.
l spent last Saturday morning with the
three members of the tax commission We
together outlined bill, which was drawn
by Mr.. Childs, and they agreed as individuals
that it was proper. 1t will be introduced as
| an amendment to the tax bill, and practically
re-enacts the old law.
G. A. Tomlinson said that under the
tonnage tax the number of vessels regis,
tered at Duluth had increased from three
IN 1895 to sixty, with value of 12,OOO,-
00O There are $4,000 tons waiting to see
whether the law is changed, before coming
to Duluth to register.
In answer to question from Represen-
tative Johnson, Mr.. Tomlinson said tho
change in tax would not affect the amount
| of shipbuilding at the head Of the lakes.
Captain J. T. Rose of the Canada At
lantic Steamship line, said the new law
would result in his company moving
across the bay to West Superior.
| Captain J. T. Helm, vessel agent, said
he had received instructions from several
owners not to take out papers for next
season until the taxation question had
| been settled.
| Combine Causes High Rates.
Mr.. Jacobson asked Captain McDougall
| whether an increase in tonnage brought
| about lower rates. He replied that it
| should have that tendency, but that the
! consolidation of such interests had
brought about even higher rates.
II am very, ugg glad to hear that" said
fom what we get on railroads
! A general laugh crested the remark
| whose application was understood.
This ended the morning hearing, and adj
journment was taken.
Bankers Appear Tomorrow.
y Tomorrow nornign at 1890 the cons
mittee will sit again and will hear from
a committe of the State Bankers associa-
ton.
At 2 O'Clock tomorrow afternoon the
| grain men of Minneapolis and Duluth will
appear.
Saturday the committee will meet to
hear any who may present themselves.
| When hearings are finished, the COM
, mittee will take up the bill and prepare
, | a report on it. They will doubtless at
tach numerous amendments before getting
it back to the house.
: jacobson and Laybourn INDUCED in one
, of their frequent tits at the committee
meeting. The Lac qui Parle man be-
> walled the fact that only half an hour
could be spent to-day, and said the legis-
4 lature had some rights the people were
= bound to respect. He insisted that by
' | Saturday all persons with protests should
t appear. Mr.. Laybourn entered pro-
s test against rush, and intimated that
Jacobson wanted to shut off objectors-
This Jacobson denied.
" washburn Favors Delay.
w. D. Washburn, Jr., member of the
| taxation committee, Is in favor OF defer
ring the bill until next session. He said
! this morning:
The situation is great disappointment to
me. favored the extra session the as
,inon that To have a clear field
and that such amendments would be pre-
scented as would permit to recommend an
i entirely new system, in accordance with mod
IS ern and enlightened views on taxation.
ID Instead of presenting such bill, the COM
vs. mission has recommended the amendments
n and have given us a tax bill which presents
l. little improvement over the former method
This patching of tax laws under the present
ID constitution could have been performed as
,e we'll last session.
- Presenting that the amendments suggested
r. are passed, they will render of little value
to the patching Of the present laws. If tht
&c amendments are passed next fall the legisla
Mt ture which meets next winter will unquestion
ably wipe out large portion OF the tax Jaw!
l. existing under the present constitution
r. | While I should be glad to support any rea
h. sonable changes in the present law, and thinl
!, the present session will do great deal o
"a good in educating public opinion, do no
~ believe in the present law either in theor.
or detail.
Income Tax Favored.
t.
tn I believe that a proper income tax with
v. tax on all property and other minor taxes will
n enable us to discard entirely personal propert
or taxation, which is obsolete and uncollectable
III AS to matters of detail !, do not believe Il
y the personal property exemption at less thai
,o 500. I consider the taxation of mortgage
~ double taxation which should be avoided /
~ possible.
az If there is any chance therefore. of get
/. ting the constitutional amendments next fal
- think the matter of income taxes and taxa
u ton on iron should be fully discusse
by the present legislature. fear that II PEG
= pie lose interest in the tax law We will b
as deprived Of the opportunity to pass tn
n amendments to the constitution. do nc
wv expect to oppose such details in the measur
ed as seem practicable, put look on it as
ge patching of matters, and think that GU
e. work will be largely undone by the nea
Mt legislature in case the amendments pass
he SENATE ADOPTS RULES
IN