The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-14
IT SUITS R. G. dunn
The State Auditor Approves the
Tax Commissions Report.
LEGISLATORS SHOULD GO SLOW
He Advises That Amendments BE
Carefully Weighed Before
Being Passed.

II have read the report of the tax COM
mission twice." said State Auditor Dunn
this morning land it is what ! expected
of them. 1t is strong document, and
have very few changes to suggest. Ihere
are some things that do not quite agree
WITH but I am going to talk them over
with members Of the commission before
make up my mind fully
81 have suggestion to make to the
legislature. With all due respect to the
members of that body, it must be ad-
mitted that none of them, and, in fact,
no one outside the tax commission, knows
anything like as much as the commits
sioners do about the problem of taxation.
II the legislators go to amending that
bill to suit their ideas, they are going to
spoil the whole act unless they do it in
telligently. Now l. would suggest that
the legislature secure the attendance OF
the commissioners at the capitol during
the session, and confer with them re-
garding all changes. The commission has
but it would pay the legislature to pay
them $25 day, If necessary, to help them
in an advisory capacity
There are few changes that I would
recommend. from my experience. They
have re-enacted the old law limiting the
tax levy for county purposes. There
should be a limit, but 1t is placed too
five mills in counties with an assessed
valuation Of 81 900, 900 to s2tj,000,0 00 That
is not enough for counties from 81 900 coo
to 100000. In a county of $1,100,00G
valuation it will only raise $4,000 for
county purposes. That is not enough. 1t
hardly pays the county officers. The limit
should be ten mills for all counties with
less than $4,000, 600 valuation.
81 favored keeping the state board of
equalization, but that can't be done I'M
der the system they have worked out, and
I must admit the truth of their argu-
ment for abolishing the board. The local
representatives are continually trying to
keep the assessments down in their local
tiles. The meeting of county supervisors
thing. The expense Of this meeting
should be paid cut of the state treasury,
though, and not by the counties. -;
1.-THE permanent tax commission is a
thing we need. 1t will take considerable
responsibility off the state auditors office,
especially in the matter of attachments.
The permanent commission will keep the
laws I'D to date, too, and there will be
an end of haDhazard amendments to the
tax laws, which throw them in confusion.
The tax commission will know from their
experience just what Is needed, and rec
ommend changes to the legislature. !"
Three Senator's Approve.
Senator R. B. Brewer Of st. Cloud was
at the capitol this morning. He has not
read the bill, but from what he has heard
of it's general character is favorably i'm
pressed. He said to-day:
81 am in favor of holding caucus to
agree on a bill, harmonic all amend
ments. and carry it through the legisla-
ture. We can then go home, without
waste of time"
Senator O. H. Myron of Ada thinks the
bill is very drastic, and will stir. up con-
siderable opposition. He looks to see it
amended considerably, and is afraid it
will be badly torn up.
Senator E. B. Hawkins of Eveleth, on
the iron range, declines to quarrel with
the provisions Of the bill for taxation of
mines He Is inclined to favor the 'ad
valorem system over the tonnage tax. He
says the time is too short to consider the
bill at an extra session. He said this
morning that in his opinion the legisla-
ture should not attempt to pass it, but
put it over until the regular session.
There is general satisfaction over the
early date set by the governor. All agree
that members can inform themselves
thoroughly on the bill in three weeks, and
get it through promptly in time to test
the new system this year.
Bound copies Of the report and bill were
| mailed to-day to every member of the
| legislature. A printed copy of the gov
| errors proclamation calling an extra SEES
sion will be sent to each member this
week.