Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1906-09-28

ZION IN any 1OIns OUT IL ms been the
policy to compel. all dealers, great ana
small to handle only such goods as
come under the provisions Of our pure
food statute. Persecution Of smar
milk peddlers has not been the aim
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 well AZ the small
cities Of our state. In short, the record
Of this administration during the past
two years has been great stride in
the matter Of progress along the lines
of pure food regulation.
The work along dairy lines has been
exceptional and the success has been
so signal that the commissioners has
been invited to accept federal posi-
ton at largely advanced salary;
which. however, was declined, that he
might complete the reforms inaugu-
rated by him in Minnesota
e. Board Of Equalization.
The subject Of taxation is one Of
most vital interest and Of great i'm
portance to, the people. Our present
system, and the system In vogue in
our state from the beginning until
now. has been very unsatisfactory. A
large portion Of the property which is
properly the subject Of taxation has
escaped this duty entirely. In my
message to the legislature recon-
mended the enactment Of law pro-
viding for constitutional amend
ment, giving greater latitude to the
legislature in the regulation Of our tax
system. The legislature has passed
such law and the people Of Minne-
sofa will be afforded at the next cleo
ton an opportunity to vote upon this
measure. I 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 endorse
ment, support and vote. I have no
criticism to make on those who have
been entrusted with the administration
Of law along this line in the past. but
desire to state that the members
of the state board of equalization ap-
pointed by me are entitled to much
credit for the work accomplished by
them. Vs. y
Public service corporations, and cor
porations generally. which have hither-
to borne small proportion of taxes
for sustaining the state and municipal
governments, have had their valua-
tons 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 Tight 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 $3s,ooo.0oo. I 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 100000, 900, an
increase Of over sixty per cent, and
pursuant to that conference the coun-
ty board Of equalization of St. Louis
county increased the assessed valua-
ton Of this property from the former
$3S,00o,000 to $60,000,000. It is possible
that the. state board of equalization
will add to this amount.
= BY these increases and others Of q
like nature, the revenues Of the state
have been increased more than $780,
900 per annum. ~
I am not here to say that the cor
porate interests Of the state have been
taxed or assessed sufficiently. Much
improvement, however, has been made
during the past two years in this con-
nection, and with the latitude afforded
the next legislature by the proposed
constitutional amendment, which
ought to and believe will pass. It
will be possible in the future to make
far. greater progress in securing an
equal distribution Of the burdens of
taxation.
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 commits
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 vi
grain appeals for Minneapolis and
Duluth.
Four years ago the Republican cam
paign committee made report Of the
work Of the board appointed under the
administration of the governor then IN
Office. They proved by figures which
cannot be contradicted that a raise OF
grade was made in 277s cars, and that
thereby they saved to the farmers OF
the state Of Minnesota almost $4,000
or about $3.50 per car. am not 60.
ing to question the figures published