The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-06

George Il. Smith OF Minneapolis intro
duced a bill in the house this morning pro-
vtdtng for a tax commission of three mem
bers to be appointed by the governor and
to have general supervision of: all tax
matters in the state. The commissioners
are to serve for six years and are forbid
den to hold any other public office during
their term Of service. OF the original
commission one member is to be appointed
for two. one for four and one for six years.
The bill provides that:
| "The commissioners shall have general
| supervision of the system of taxation
| throughout this state, shall have power to
make a thorough investiga ton thereof
and shall report to the legislature on the
first day of each regular session the re-
suits of their supervision and investiga-
| tion, and in said report they shall fornu-
late and recommend legislation for the
improvement of the system and for the
equalization of the taxation Of the state.
They shall keep in their office a public
record Of all their acts and orders, and
shall print from time to time for general
circulation such information they may
deem proper. t...
1.-THE commissioners shall have power to
require all local officers whose duties per-
tain to the assessment or collection Of
taxes or to the disbursement Of public
funds to report to them in such form as
they shall prescribe, to call upon
individuals and corporations. for in
formation bearing on the sub
ject of taxation; to examine
books and papers; summon witnesses to
appear and testify at such time and place
as may be appointed by them. and in case
, of the refusal of any person to obey their
summons, to report the same to the at
torney general who shall thereupon in
stitute proceedings in the proper district
court to compel such attendance.
: Fees may be allowed for witnesses and
fees may be paid for attendance and
traveling. Any person testifying falsely
before the commission shall be guilty of
and punishable for perjury.
1.-The commissioners shall be ex-officio
members of the state board Of equalization
and shall lay before the board such in
formation in their possession as in their
judgment will assist it in its 2delibera-
tions and shall each be entitled. to vote
in said board" - =z
The salary of commissioners is fixed at
SO 900 annually, and a room at the cap
itol is to be assigned to their use. The
bill also provides for an appropriation OF
) $15,0 900 annually for expenses of admins
tration. The measure was sent to the
committee on taxes and tax laws
, Minneapolis School Bonds Pass.
. The house, without debate, passed the
Wilson bill authorizing the issue of $780,
900 Minnea polls school bonds. The bill
had rather a hard time Of it in the
Hennepin delegation and was attacked or
the floor of the house by Representative
Girling, but the attack, was not. renewed
: to-day. and the measure went through
without amendment.
!: DowIing's Election Sill
Representative Bowling Of Duluth in
troduced an election bill which he will
ask to have substituted for other bill
submitted by himself earlier in the session
and which are now in committee tn
bill has unique feature. 1t provide
49,, S,,ls @s11 1s,,D% (1y,e
although allowed to retain their part
designation, shall have their name
printed on the ballots of all political par
ties, thus permitting man who vote
the republican primary ticket to vote fc
I the nomination Of a democratic judg
= should he so desire, or vice versa. M
.Dowling believes that this will tend
= encourage the selection Of a -non-partiza
Judiciary. The bill also provides for a
early primary election, for the nominatio
Of Independent candidates at such elet
ton and for separate ballots for eac
political party, but with the safeguard
secrecy.
A Board OF Health Fund
Mr.. Putnam sent up a bill appropriate
100000 for the uses of the state board
health. OF this amount $4,000, or {
much as may be necessary, is to
used to reimburse municipalities for e.
penses incurred in the care of patien
suffering from contagious diseases ar
whose care should have been chart
upon the state.
The U. of NJ. Appropriation.
Representative Gillette introduced
university appropriation bill Identical wi
that presented in the senate, the amou
asked being $56150
Horse Thief Bounty Fixed
. In committee of the whole the hou
d voted to report for passage Representa-
f Won Walds bill providing for the pa
e ment by the state of q, bounty for the a
rest and conviction Of horse thieves. T
reward originally fixed by the bill W
$500. In committee this was reduced
= 500, but was to-day PLACED at 5000.
IS Action on Bills.
y The following bills were passed:
= H. r. no. Johnson-To declare certain hi.
- ways abandoned and vacated and to provide 4
1 the restoration of the use of the land to I
owner. -. & 7:sf &aAt "a
- s. F. 100, Peachey--To amend section 40
e general statutes Of 1924, with reference to s
y time of holding the term of the district 60
1T in the several counties of the fifth judicial {
trict of the state of Minnesota.
W S. F. S. Wison-To 1ega1ize school bonds be
"a tofore voted by cities under the provisions
- chapter 2O4 Of the laws of 1893. sae =
a Publish Court Reports.
I'd Representatives IIelliwell, Cague a
e. Perley, the subcommittee appointed"