The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-19
PASS RAILROAD TAX BILL
ABOLISH NORMAL SCHOOLS
Fryberger Bill for Increase
of Gross Earnings Tax Is
Unanimously Adopted by
the House = Makes No
Change i'll Method of Com
putting Earnings.

The Fryberger 4 per cent gross earn
ings tax bill yesterday passed the
house without negative vote and
without substantial amendment. There
were 103 votes recorded.
consideration of the measure as a
special order evoked no oratory and
the only discussion was incident to the
adoption of minor corrective amend
ments and the substitution of Shearer's
protective section 5, which differs from
the original clause only in a word or
two.
Mr.. Johnson, Hennepin, secured the
injection Of a provision to make the
bill jibe with the proposed enactment
providing for submission of constitu-
t1onal propositions on separate ballots.
The bill, less the enacttng clause and
the sections providing for its submis-
sion 10 the people at the general cleo
tion of 1904, follows:
The Bill Adopted
Section l. That every railroad com
pany owning or operating any line Of
railway situated within or partly with
In this state, shall, during the year
1905, and annually thereafter pay into
the treasury Of this state in lieu of
all taxes, assessments upon all proper
ty within this state, owned or operated
for railway purposes by such COM
pany, including equipment, appurten-
ances, appendages and franchises
thereof, a sum of money equal to four
ca per cent of the gross etrnings deriy-
ed from the operation of such line Of
railway within this state; and the pay
ment of such sum shall be in full and
in lieu Of all other taxes and assess
ments upon the property and franchises
so taxed. The lands acquired by pub
lie grant shall be and remain exempt
from taxation until sold or contract
ed to be sold, or conveyed, as provided
In the respective acts whereby such
acts We're made or recognized.
Computation Unchanged.
Sec. 2. The term gross earnings"
derived from the operation of such line
of railway within this state, as used in
section l Of this act, is hereby declared
and shall be construed to mean, all
earnings on business beginning and
ending within the state, and a propor-
ton, based upon the proportion of the
mileage within the state to the entire
mileage over which such business. is
done, of earnings on all interstate bus
mess passing through, into or out Of
the state.
Sec. 8. All acts and parts of acts
not inconsistent herewith regulating
the payment, collection, time of pay
ment, enforcement or reports involving
the amount Of taxes upon the gross
earnings of railroad companies within
this state, or providing penalties for
the non-payment of such taxes, are
hereby made applicable to this act so
far as may be; and all acts and parts
of acts inconsistent with the provisions
of this act are hereby repealed.
New Protective Clause.
Sec. 4. Upon failure to pay the
amount of such taxes legally due upon
the dates heretofore provided by law
for the payment thereof, in addition to
existing remedies, collection may be
enforced in a civil action brought in
the name of the State Of Minnesota
in the district court of any county.
Sec. 5. Before any railroad company
shall be heard to contest or continue
to contest the validity of this act or
any part thereof, such railroad COM
pany shall as a condition precedent
thereto, pay into the treasury of the
State of Minnesota, the amuont Of tax
es due or payable from such railroad
company under the existing tax laws
Of this state applicable to such COM
pany.