The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-03-15
JAMES J. HILL SAYS FREIGHT
. RATES in THE NORTHWEST
: WILL BE ADVANCED.

duOptIOH VI party pidIlOIIlS NY ZIG
nominees.
The bill applies to all candidates at
present voted on at the primaries, all
candidates for state Offices, and it al
so provides for the nomination of
candidates for the United States SEN
ate by the primary system. The NOM
inee for the senate will be the party
candidate, and while there is nothing
to compel the legislature to elect him,
it is thought that the members of the
prevailing party would not be likely
% vote against the will of the party.
The nominees for the United States
senate, for the state offices, for con-
gress and for the legislature are to
meet after the primaries and adopt
the state platform and elect the state
central committee.
The house played havoc with the
plans of the tax committee and did
not show itself disposed to let the en-
tire plan Of the tax committee for
abolishing the direct tax levy go
through. One of the thirteen bills re-
ported by the committee was indef-
nitely postponed and couple of 9th
ers escaped the same fate only by be-
ing laid over. Four Of the bills were
recommended TO pass and the rest
were laid over without being touched.
Gross Earnings Tax Bill.
A general gross earnings tax bill
lions was introduced in the house by
R. j. Wells of Breckenridge. The bill
states that it shall apply to electric
railway, gas, water, light, heat, power,
conduit and subway companies, and
for these it provides a gross earnings
tax of 319 per cent when the earnings
are less than 100000. When above
that and up to $1,000,000 the tax Is
31k per cent on the first 100000 and
per cent on the remainder. When
the aggregate is between 100000
and $1,50O,00O the tax is 81 for the
first 100000 and AZ per cent on the
remainder. On earnings of more than
$1,5OO,OO0 the tax is per cent on the
first $1,5OO,O00 and 51a per cent on the
| amount above that.
These taxes are to be apportioned
among the state, county, city and
school funds in the same proportion
as real estate taxes in the city where
the company is located, and is to be
in lieu of all taxes, except taxes for
improvements and for license or in
corporation fees.
A rough draft of the reapportion-
ment bill has been completed by
Frank M. Eddy, clerk Of the COM
mittee, which will give the state
twelve additional representatives. The
bill will give each county representa-
| tive, except Clearwater, Mohnomen
and Koochiching counties.
The speaker Of the house has an
| nounced the appointment Of Ole En-
| Erickson as general clerk, vice Lynn
! Haines, removed for cause. Haines
was the clerk who was called to &C
count for writing several letters re-
| flecting on members of the house.
These letters were sent to newspapers.
Says Rates VIII Be Increased.
IT want to go on record here that
your rates will be advanced in the
Northwest in place of being reduced.
They will be advanced, simply because
1t is necessary to provide the service.
This course will begin in the East.
Now, I am not complaining about
rates, but present conditions would
| bankrupt some Of the roads in this
state"
This declaration was made by PreSl-
dent James J. Hill of the Great Nor
ern before the Sundberg senate COM
| mittee which is Investigating the
value of railroad property in the state.
Mr.. Hill said that the company, had
| adopted the method of reducing rates
| as the revenue has justified, and an
| Investigation of the records would
show that it's rates, especially on grain
| and farm products, are lower than in
other sections Of the country.
Thomas F. Cole, president of the
Oliver Iron Mining company, testified
before the special iron ore tax COM
| mittee of the legislature at consider
able length and took occasion to speak
strongly against tonnage tax, as well
as enthusiastically Of the prospects Of
| Minnesota for greater deposits Of ore
than have yet been disclosed He said
among other things that he thought
| Minnesota had no reason to fear on
the score of the expected establish
| ment within her borders Of a steel
plant, although he was not, he said,
authorized to say for the United
| States Steel corporation that any such
| plant would be installed.
! i. He spoke in defense of the steel
corporation as an advocate of high
! prices for STEEL as we'll as for the la
| Dor that it employs and the supplies
that 1t buys
| he senate in committee of the
whole recommended twenty-seven bills
Tor passage.