The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-02-08

state may soon Outstrip many OF her
rivals in the magnitude Of her shipping
navigating International waters at the
port of Duluth indicates that 1t ie Z
favOrite port. When We bear In mind
that interstate tonnage is beyond the
taxing power Of the state, and that the
revenues derived from a tonnage tax
coed what would arise from any other
method applied to that class of prop
erty. 1t Is apparent that the subject 10
one which calls for your most careful
consideration.
I trust, therefore, that you will be
able to enact legislation which. while
not In violation Of the constitution. Will
preserve to the state advantages al
ready gained, and present no impede
ment to the growth Of our influence
over navigation upon the great lakes.
Revision of General Laws.
By request of the commission to re
wise our general laws. submit the fol-
lowing:
Inasmuch as chapter PAL of the laws
by the justices Of the supreme court of
commissioners to revise, modify and
annotate the existing general laws,
expressly excludes from their consid-
GRAFTON statutes on the subject of tax
ation." and as it is desirable that the
tain all public laws, appropriately ar
ranged. is would seem advisable that
such legislation be had as will be con-
ductive to that end. 1t is obvious also
of such character that it should not be
unduly hurried. The legislation of the
past thlrty-fve years has reached an
enormous bulk. much OF which is now
obsolete, and on many subjects. re-
dundant and contradictory. Only the
most QfiQnf roaQoroh and rQ{nSf hing
labor can reduce it to that harmony
which the public interests require. That
the work may be continued in such
manner as to accomplish the best re-
p@ r' ssso should The be tsnan tas
some suggestions on the subject, to
which I invite your attention.
The entire matter now rests with
you. It is for you to decide whether
be in vain or not I trust. and have
faith to believe. that your deliberations
will result. in great good to the state.
and that tax law will be placed upon
the statute books that will equal. IL not
surpass that Of any other state in the
Union.
am advised that the members Of the
tax commission. II desired. will at all
times during your session. be ready and
willing to respond to your call and give
ton you may request
Suit Against Merger.
At. this time I desire to inform the
legislature of the suit brought by the
state Of Minnesota AGAINST the North
Believing that this corporation was
organized for the purpose OF evadinR
and violating the laws Of the state Of
es of 2he eX Great Norhrn h d Nh
ern Pacific Railway companies. which
companies own parellel and competing
lines Of railway within the state re-
bring suit in the name Of the state to
prevent such consolidation. That such
consolidation is against the law Is clear
sh9W1 6y t. our
our General Statutes:
Sec 2716. No railroad corporation
shall consolidate. with. or in any way
BECOME owner Of or control any other
chises. rights or property thereof. which
owns or controls parallel Or COM
"sec. 2717. No railroad corporation. or
the lesseeS. purchases or managers of
any railroad corporation. shall CONSOLE
date the stock. property. or franchises
OF such corporation; with. Or lease or
in anv way control any other railroad
control parallel or competing line: nor
shall any officer of such railroad cor
railroad corporation owning or having
tn the control of a parellel or competing
Laws Are Constitutional.
These laws have not only been held
to be constitutional by the supreme
fouEt of the Hated Sta dec but also
That the Northern Securities COM
pany. if not prevented by the
courts will merge or consolidate the
lines and properties of the two rail-
IS evidenced by reference to sections
and Of the articles Of INCORPORATION
Of the Northern Securities company.
wsh hod se S assgn
MORTGAGE. pledge or otherwise dispose
of shares of the stock Of any other cor
poration or corporations. association or
associations Of the state Of New jersey.
and while owner. Of such stock to ex-
ercise all the rights. powers and privi-
leges Of ownership. including the right
any corporation or associa ton Of which
any bonds or other securities or evil
dences of Indebtedness or stock are held
bv the corporations: and to do any acts
improve or enhance the value Of any NJ;
such bonds or other securities or evil
dences OF indebtedness. or Stock
These powers are as broad as Ian
guage can make them, and authorize
the Northern Securities company not
only to vote the stock of the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific Railway
companies. and thus exercise all the
powers and privileges Of ownership and
control: but specifically empower the
corporation to do any acts or things
designed to enhance the value Of the
stock OF the companies mentioned
which. of course. includes the right to
increase freight rates directly. or to
change the classification of freight so
as to increase the rates.
Called in Other States.
Knowing that several other states in
addition to Minnesota would be affected
by this consolidation. and that the de-
clared public policy of such states.
through constitutional or legislative
provisions. was similar to that of our
state. deemed it wise to call a confer
ence Of the governors and attorneys
general of the states through which
these lines of railway pass. in order
that such method of procedure might
be adopted as would be uniform This
Gs19'nference was held at Helena. Mont:
attorneys general not only Of our state.
but Of Montana. South Dakota and
Idaho: and the attorney general of
WASHINGTON. The governor Of the last
name stat died lust prior to the confer