The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-28
The Formers Attitude Toward the
Tonnage Tax Gave Excuse
For the Attack.
The Issue Created Likely to Figure
in the Pre.Conventi0n
Campaign.

]. F. Jacobson declared war this morn
Ing on State Auditor Dunn. In speech
bristling with sensational statements he
attacked the record of the state auditor
and opened breach between the two old
friends and CO. workers that may never be
healed.
From the way Mr.. Dunn discusses the
shrink from the issue and that it will be
carried into the pre- convention campaign.
The attack was called forth by an in
terview published in a morning paper in
which the state auditor argued against
the tonnage tax feature of the jacobson
bill. A similar statement will be found
elsewhere in this issue.
In opening his argument for the bill.
Mr.. Jacobson took up the interview and
analysed it's statements. He then de-
clared that Mr.. Dunn's success in Office
had been due to laws which the auditor
himself had opposed. He had opposed the
feature of the timber bill in 1895 requir-
ing state timber to be scaled after being
cut, and the workings of this law showed
that the states scalers had always under
estimated. Mr.. Jacobson declared, with
reference to the law of 1897 granting in
creased power to the state board of equal
ization, that he himself had fought for
such a law in 1893 AS a climax, Mr..
jacobson declared that the influence of
the auditor had been against the passage
of the late tax code.
"I'm Ready" Says Dunn.
Mr.. Dunn was in his office down stairs
during the speech. News Of it soon
reached him and he hurried to- the house
chamber and sat through the rest of the
session. He did not hunt up the GENTLE
man from Lac qui Parle after the noon
adjournment, but relieved his feelings to
a quickly gathered group of members.
He announced that if Mr.. jacobson wanted
to have trouble he. could be accommo-
dated, but he would be sorry he ever
stirred it up.
jacobson Is a good man. he went on.
"but he only has room in his head for
one idea at time The only good feat
ure in that 1895 bill I introduced myself
The one he talked about 1 opposed, and
that is true. 1t is bad provision and we
it. The 1897 law l drew my
self. I just wish T was a member of this
house long enough to reply to Jacobson
for about frye minutes"
The breaking out of the feud is be-
lieved to have deep political significance.
It shows that Mr.. Jacobson is opposed
to the political ambitions of his old CO.
adiutor, whether in the direction Of the
governors chair another term in the
state auditors Office. 1t indicates that
the legislator from Lac qu1 Parle has an
eye on this latter Office himself and that
he will support Governor Van SAINT for
while making his own fight.
An Early Vote Expected.
The Jacobson bill was taken up at 1890
this morning by the house, and its friends
declared it would reach final vote be-
fore night with few amendments. Many
are looking askance at the tonnage tax
feature and the city members are OPP
posed to retaining the state board Of
Mr.. Jacobson, after his
of State Auditor Dunn,
brought the house to roars Of laughter
by his sarcastic illusions to the opponents
Of the late tax bill. He said they no
longer had the widows and orphans to fall
back on for an argument. There was
nothing in this bill to hurt the widows
and orphans, the farmer, the small de-
positors in banks, or the elevator men.
They must face the issue squarely.
Mr.. Laybourn argued against the ton
mage tax, speaking for the st. Louis
county delegation. His argument was
badly calculated and did not help his
cause. He held that the mines should
pay more taxes and would this year if the
law were left alone. Later on, he de-
clared that the 5 per cent tonnage tax
was excessive and amounted to 10 per
cent on the value of the output State
Auditor Dunn's proposition to double the
valuation would raise a greater tax, how
ever, than the 5 per cent tonnage tax Of
he Jacobson bill
Mr.. Dobbin of Hennepin talked against
the franchise tax, argument which
aroused his colleague, Mr.. Armstrong, to
recall some utterances of Mr.. Dobbin a
Jew days ago, in which he opposed any
alteration in the franchise tax feature of
he tax code.
MT. Peterson spoke briefly but effect
lively for the bill. He said he had been
Inclined to oppose the tonnage tax fea-
ture until he heard Mr. Laybourn's argu-
nent Now he was ready to stand for the
whole bill
Some Senate Amendments.
The senate will get to work to-mor-
row morning on constitutional amend
ments The judiciary committee at noon
Today wanted approval Of bill drawn
BY the subcommittee which was some-
what altered by that committee this aft
ernoon. It will be introduced as a COM
mittee bill to-morrow morning and taken
up for immediate consideration.
.he present constitution, Sections I and