The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-01
CITY FIGHTING FOR
GROSS EARNINGS TAX

Corporation Attorney Michael, with
a city council supporting him, has
made a new issue in city government.
The standard he has set reads: Pub
lie service corporations should pay the
5 per cent gross earnings tax provided
for in the new city charter"
For the past year and for some
months previously, this contention has
been the main issue before the city adj
ministration. 1t has not been carried
to its present point without objections
from within the ranks and open oppo-
sition on the part of the corporations.
But the issue has taken firm hold
and promises to remain the chief con-
tention in the city hall for years to
come, or until there is a change in
administration or all the companies
agree to pay the tax.
Beginning of the Fight
The fight began when the st. Paul
Gas Light company applied for a re-
newal Of its charter. Corporation At
torney Michael held that the company
should be compelled to pay the gross
earnings tax on all it's business, In
Guiding that of electric lighting, and
After months of sparring and speech
making, the company in the end
agreed to the insertion of such pro-
vision in it's new charter, which goes
into effect in 1907, and at which time
1T will begin to pay to the city 5 per
cent of every dollar taken in.
At present the street railway COM
pany is on the carpet. The city coun-
Gil, through the corporation attorney,
has submitted an ultimatum that in
cludes in the proposed compromise the
payment of the gross earnings tax. If
this is carried through, the city would
receive at the present time about
stantly increasing. A majority Of the
city council stand pledged to make no
compromise that does not include the
payment of the gross earnings tax,
which means that in the event of q
failure of the negotiations that are
pending the city will appeal from the
decision of Judge Lochren, holding in
favor of the company.
Amendments to Charter
Three principal departments of the
city We're greatly benefited by the re-
cent passage of amendments to the city
charter. The fire department was CIV
en- $4,000 In addition to that formerly
appropriated, and the police were Civ
en- raise of $4,000 year. For street
and sewer cleaning and repairs the
annual allowance of the city engineer
was increased $4,000, and the city
made provision for "a system of public
Fairgrounds by setting aside $4,000
This means an increase in the tax
rate for the coming year, unless the
assessed valuation should be greatly
Increased.
At different times during the twelve
months Health Commissioner Ohage
has been the center Of attack. Through
lit all he has been able to come out
with undiminished prestige, although
at the present time he faces tbs
ct of oil ho oft fofi y,
demand for the repeal of the smoke
4ordinance. He expects to be success
ful in resisting this crusade against
his administration of the health de-
&artment, but 1t is evident that he is
harder pushed than at any time in the
past. 1t is generally admitted thai
DR.. Ohage'S attack on the steam rail
way engineers under the ordinance has
resulted In the present agitation, bu,
he refuses to deSist as to this par
ticular enforcement of the ordinance
and the outcome is in doubt. "A COM
promise will likely result.
Dance Hall Ordinance
One of the most important ordi-
nances passed during the period wen
into effect Monday. This measure i:
designed to regulate the public dance
halls of st. Paul. 1t is provided tha1
liquor shall not be sold in any room
diiSStty VI tI1luiIeCtly CONNECTED WIZ
the hall, and dancing shall cease a.
a. m. at all places where the public
is indiscriminately admitted. Most o.
such dances are given Saturday night
The enforcement of its provisions arr
within the control Of the police de-
partment.
The city council that went into offic.
six months ago promises to make al
exceptional record. Many of the mel
who made a splendid showing in tn,
former council were reelected, an6
those chosen for the first time arr
proving by action that the best in.
terest of the city is their first consid.
Grafton. This is notably true in severa
instances. With, greater experience
these men promise to become still
more useful
COUNTY WAS FREE
OF SCANDAL TAINTs
Ramsey county was particularly for,
tunate during 1904 as to criminal cases