The Irish standard., 1906-09-29
tative of the people.
Dairy and Food Department.

record of this administration would be
complete without reference to the
splendid work done by the dairy and
food department under the able man.
agement and direction Of Edward X
Slater, dairy and food commissioner
Perhaps never in the history of the
state has the department done so much
for the development and promotion OF
the dairy interests of the state; and
no previous administration has made
such wonderful progress along the
lines of pure food regulation and the
enforcement of pure food laws. @**
| 1t has not been the aim of this de-
partment to drive out honest competi-
tion in any form, but it has been the
policy to compel all dealers. great and
small, to handle only such goods as
come under the provisions Of our pure
food statute. Persecution Of small
milk peddlers has not been the ain,
of this administration. The purpose
has been rather to attack the mighty
and strong, the great centralized plants
which supply thousands upon thou-
sands of homes, and has compelled in
every instance the supplying of pure
milk and pure cream to the families
of the large cities as we'll as the small
cities Of our state.
Roara of EnuaIi,.%ioo
The subject of taxation is one of
most vital interest and of great im-
portance to the people. Our present
system, and the system in vogue in
our state from the beginning until
now, has been very satisfactory. A
large portion of the property which is
properly the subject OF taxation has
escaped this duty entirely. In my
message to the legislature l recon-
mended the enactment of law pro-
viding for a constitutional amend
ment, giving greater latitude to the
legislature in the regulation Of our tax
system. The legislature has passed
such a law and the people of Minne-
sofa will be afforded at the next cleo
tion an opportunity to vote upon this
measure. ! wish to take this oppor-
tunity, and all other opportunities
which may come to me during this
contest, to urge upon every citizen
the necessity and the duty OF giving
this measure his unqualified endorses
ment, support and vote.
Public service corporations land cor
porations generally, which have hither-
to borne a small proportion of taxes
for sustaining the state and municipal
governments, have had their valua-
tions very materially increased. More
than two million dollars was added to
the assessed valuation of the Twin
City Rapid Transit company alone;
this increase being more than twenty
five per cent of the maximum amount
Of their assessment in the past. Gas
! companies, electric light companies.
and other corporations were treated in
the same manner. The board of
equalization had but one desire, and
that was to see that the taxes were
equalized so far as possible.
For the past two years the iron
mining property, located on the iron
| ranges of St Louis county, and largely
controlled by the United States Steel
corporation, have been assessed at
practically 33S.ooO,ooo. / have had con-
ferences with the officers of that COM
pany and demanded from them that
their assessment by the board Of
equalization of their own county be
fixed at not less than $6O,00O,OOO, an
increase Of over sixty per cent, and
pursuant to that conference the county
board Of equalization Of st. Louis
county increased the assessed valua-
tin of this property from the former
$8s, 100000 to $60,000,0OO. 1t is possible
that the state board Of equalization
will add to this amount. BY these in
creases and others Of a like nature
the revenues of the state have been in
creased more than 100000 per annum
Board Of Grain Appeals.
The farmer of Minnesota is directly
concerned in the state inspection and
weighing Of grain. The laws for this
purpose are as complete and as ad-
vanced as in any other state in the
Union. Formerly the entire system OF
grain inspection was subordinate to
the office Of governor. Since the board
of railroad and warehouse commIs-
sioners became elective, they are not
directly responsible to the chief execu-
tive for the performance of their duty
One section OF this department, how
ever, is still appointive by the gov
ernor, this body being the board OF
grain appeals for Minneapolis and
Duluth.
Four years ago the Republican cam
paisn committee made a report of the
work of the board appointed under The