The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-17
Bill for Resubmission of
Proposition for a Four Per
Cent Gross Earnings Tax
on Railroads, Lost at Last
Election, Is introduced by
Johnson.

The expected bill for resubmission
OF the 4 per cent railroads gross earn
ing tax proposition arrived yesterday
IN the shape of House File No. 46, in
troduced by Mr.. Johnson, Hennepin.
The intent Of the trainers of the new
Dill is to secure an enactment similar
In phraseology to the present gross
earnings tax law, and it is to be sub
mitted to the voters at the next general
election. The text of the bill follows:
Change of Rate Only.
Section 1. That every railway COM
pany owning or operating any line of rail-
way situated within, or partly within. this
state, shall, during the year of 1905, and
annually thereafter pay into the treasury
of this state, as taxes upon all property
within this state, owned or operated for
railway purposes by such company in
ciuolng equipment. appurtenances, appen-
dages and franchises thereof sum Of
money equal to four (4) per cent Of the
gross earnings derived from the operations
or such line of railway within this state
ana the payment OF such taxes shall be in
iull and IN lieu of all other taxes upon
the property and franchise so taxed. The
lands acquired by public grant shall be-
and remain exempt from taxation until
sold or contracted to be sold or conveyed
as provided In the respective acts where
py such grants We're made or recognized.
Sec. z The term 1.-The gross earnings
derived from the operation of such line
of railway within this state" as used in
section one CD of this act is hereby de-
clared and shall be constituted to mean
all earnings on business beginning and
ending within the state, and proportion
OF earnings on all interstate business
passing through, into or out of the state
as the mileage operated within the state
IN doing business bears to the entire
mileage operated by such company in do
ing such business.
inconsistent herewith regulating the pay
ment, collection, time of payment. en-
forcement. or reports involving the
amount of taxes upon the gross earnings
of railroad companies within this state,
or providing penalties for the non-pay-
ment or such taxes, are hereby made ap-
pl1cable to this act so far as may be; and
all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with
the provisions Of this actq are hereby re-
pealed.
Actions In District Courts.
Sec A. Upon the failure to pay the
amount of such taxes legally due upon
the dates heretofore provided by law for
the payment thereof, in addition to exist
ing remedies, collection may be enforced
In civil action brought in the name Of
the state of Minnesota in the district
court of any county.
Sec. 5. This act shall be submitted to
the people OF this state for their approv-
al or rejection at the next general cleo
tion for the year 1904
The secretary Of state shall cause to be
printed In bold type upon the ballot used
In voting for state officers or upon a
separate ballot, if so provided by law,
at the said election in manner conforma
BILE with the requirements of the general
election law, the words, For increasing
the gross earnings tax Of railroad COM
panies from three to four per cent.
eS .s.s...... .s..........,.......
And each voter at such election shall
designate his vote by crossmark made
opposite one or the other of the words
yes" or mo- and the said electors shall,
In all respects, conform, SO far as may
be, to the requirements of the general
election law. and the returns of said cleo
fed, and the results thereof declared in
the manner provided by law for return
Ing, certifying and convassing votes cast
for state officers.
Sec. 6. This act shall take effect and
be in force from and after it's passage.