Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1907-01-16
Al His Second Inaugural the States Executive
Advocates Taxation Reform Lower Freight
-
Rates, TWo.Cent Fare and Abo.
|ition of Passes
State Department Of Mines and Mining Proposed and Royalty
Tax on Iron Ore Recommended Reciprocal Demurage
Law Favored Permanent Tax Commission and s
Insurance Legislation Necessary
Initiative and Referendum.


guraton of John A. Johnson's second
term as governor OF Minnesota took
place today at the state capital at a
joint meeting of the senate and house
IN the hall of representatives. The
oath was administered by Chief Justice
Chas. M. Start, and Immediately fol-
lowing the ceremony Governor john
son read his message, in substance as
follows:
Representatives:
The first paragraph of our constitution
states that government is instituted for
the security, benefit and protection of the
people, in whom all political power is
inherent, together with the right to alter,
modify, or reform such government. when
Instituted for the protection of interests
deriving their privileges from the sover-
elgn power of the people; neither is it
of any rght ywhh ma2 OBJ
tain under the constitution. You are
elected as representatives of all the peo-
pie of the state to make such alterations
inure to the domestic welfare and be-
lieve that at this session Of the legisla-
ture you are given opportunities that sell
dom come to a law-making body. hope
and believe you will approach the office
committed to your care with zeal and ac-
tivlty, and with the sole purpose and mo-
commonwealth.
j.. There is much cause for congratula-
ton in the general condition of our pros
felicitation in the financial condition Of
the state: According to the report Of the
state auditor there has been much i'm
provement during the past biennial period.
Economy by the legislature, followed by
economical administration on the part Of
the executive departments. will bring a
IT,
future,
TAXATION.
One Of the. greatest questions with
is that Of solving the problem of provid-
and just method Of distributing the tax
burdens ae Of the people you represent.
ment We have had an unchanged system
of taxation in the form Of a direct tax
tory Of taxation in our state has tsueht
US that taxes have not been equal and
that the method has not been efficient:
In part the application.
The state constitution provided that
laws should be passed taxing all prop
erty according to its true value in mon
idea in view, and yet we know that the
taxation Of all forms Of property. while
based in some measure upon valuation.
value. Real property has been generally
assessed at anywhere from tw enty- five
to fifty per cent Of actual value; and
same ratio; while millions Of dollars of
Invisible and intangible property has
escaped taxation entirely because of the
ability OF the owner to evade his lawful
It is not to be presumed that this or
any o other legislative body while able
to devise system of taxation or enact
a tax law which Is going to bring about
in complete form the results commonly
1 hoped for by all people compelled to pay
Is to eQualize as nearly as may be the
burden Of taxation and so adjust it that
it's weight will not fall too heavily upon
the responsibilities in accordance with
eminent: We cannot escape taxation 6S
purpose Of government During the year ear
$685. the total taxes levied in our state
for all purposes amounted to $22355, 326.25.
rytng, on Of state, county. city, town and
school governments. No law can be en-
acted by you which will in very large
measure reduce this burden Of taxation,
1905; the total taxable valuation OF the
property Of the state for 1906 being 1914
200, 900 in round numbers, as against $685.
pie Of Minnesota voted to modify the con-
giving to the legislature this wider iati-
tude; and it now falls to you to justify
in some small measure at least, the opin-
ion Of the people that this action. both
by the legislature and by themselves
was wise one.
PERMANENT TAX COMMISSION.
would most urgently recommend legis-
iation providing for the establishment of
permanent tax commission, which shall
be empowered to make a careful and
scientific study Of this question and re-
port from time to- time: both to the ex-
ecTtive officers and a to the leg s
eral counties Of, the state annually. or
at least biennially, and should be en-
powered to supervise the work Of local as
to facilitate the performance Of the duties
OF assessors and otherwise aid them in
the work Of securing. equal and uniform
vice can be rendered by the proposed
state commission in seeing that the tax
laws, made sds,ot BY tne SegiSature are en-
TALLY, and that assessments are free
from discrimination as between counties,
local assessment districts and different
parcels Of property In the same district.
= g. TAXATION OF IRON MINES.
in Minnesota paid a nominal tax Of one
in lieu Of all other taxes. The law, that
that tim Time and was repealed in 1872. un at
der this act, during the five years end
ing with 1895 the tonnage taxes on Min
nesota iron mines netted a total Of only
y Beginning with 1896, the mines have
! been assessed as other real property for
direct taxation; the totals for st. Louis
county. as equalized by the State Board
Years, approximately as follows: S, 500, 90
In 1885,. $4,000, 900 in 1898, SIG. O00, 600 in
1900, $50. 100000 In 1902, $42, 000, 900 in 1904
and so, 900, 900 in 1906. / q: 81. ~. 80 Z
g.. How Inadequate even the assessment
OF 1906 may be is apparent from the esti-
/ hold the mining properties as assets for:
capitalization: IN 1902, when the United
States Steel Corporation had much
smaller iron ore holdings than at pres
3ent, the officers testified in a chancery
II EgG n
deposits Of tested ore upwards OF 200,
100000 tons upon which the officials
placed value OF 81 90 per ton as the
worth Of ore to the company as ma
Sp1 ssiu Subsequent reports Of the cor.
I poration and public statements Of It's
recent president, Chas. N. schwab, con q
firm this valuation and show. moreover
.o ei1 sss asssi co1peratlon i.
chan ~ I'm minnesota are
&IInJs sSi1 r. @hS-half billions Of
ton 6gs1 2 % kpparent that even
Che z T. ID placed upon the
Z irolss tota4 by the State
Ia s e e a se@. EtssRIls'finI ss.