The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-06

drew the section relating to vessels myself.
and though it was somewhat dishgured 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 Dulutl. had increased from three
in 1895 to sixty, with a value of $12 ,O00,
900. There are $4,000 tons waiting to see
whether the law is changed, before coming
to Duluth to register.
In answer to a question from Represent
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, a 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
dUOOI 1OWcI 1dIeS. ne I0pllcu IndI II
should have that tendency, but that the
! consolidation of such interests had
brought about even higher rates.
II am very glad to hear that" said
| Jacobson. THAT is a different result
| fOm what we get on railroads
| A general laugh greeted the remark,
whose application was understood.
| This ended the morning hearing, and adj
journment was taken.
| Bankers Appear Tomorrow.
To-morrew mornign at TO- 80 the com
mittee will sit again and will hear from
| a comnitte 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-
lature had some rights the people were
bound to respect. He insisted that by
Saturday all persons with protests should
appear. Mr.. Laybourn entered pro-
; test against a rush, and intimated that
Jacobson wanted to shut off DIRECTORS.
| 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 a great disappointment to
: me. I favored the extra session the as
: sumption that we were to have clear field,
and that such amendments would be pre-
scented as would permit US to recommend an
entirely new system, in accordance with mod
S ern and enlightened views taxation.
Instead Of presenting such bill, the COM
mission has recommended the amendments
and have given us tax bill which presents
: little improvement over the former method.
This patching Of tax laws under the present
constitution could have been performed as
e well last session.
Presenting that the amendments suggested
). are passed, they will render of little value
) the patching of the present laws. If the
e amendments are passed next fall the legisla-
t ture which meets next winter will unquestion-
ably wipe out large portion of the tax Jaws
: existing under the present constitution.
While I should be glad to support any rea-
sonable changes in the present law, and think
the present session will do a great deal of
= good in educating public opinion, I do not
believe in the present law either in theory
| or detail.
Income Tax Favored.
i I believe that proper income tax with q
tax on all property and other minor taxes will
enable us to discard entirely personal property
taxation, which is obsolete and uncoilectable.
, AS to matters Of detail do not believe in
the personal property exemption at less than
. 500. consider the taxation of mortgages
double taxation which should be avoided IL
possible.
If there is any chance therefore, of get
ting the constitutional amendments next fall
think the matter Of income taxes and taxa
ton on iron ore should be fully discussed
by the present legislature. fear that II peo-
pie lose interest in the tax law We will be
deprived of the opportunity to pass the
amendments to the constitution [ do not
' expect to oppose such details in the measure
4 as seem practicable, put look on it as
e patching of matters, and I think that our
work will be largely undone by the next
t legislature in case the amendments pass.
Q SENATE ADOPTS RULES