Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-04-30

bound itself as substitute to establish
a $20.000000 steel plant at Duluth.
The newly created tax commission.
together with the state board of equal
ization. which preceded Ii (the MEM
bers of which were appointed by Gov
ernor Johnson). have In the four years
of Governor Johnson's administration
increased the assessed valuation of the
steel corporations iron ore holdings in
Minnesota from $32.000.O00 to $780,
100000.
The sleeping car companies Of Min
nesota had never paid taxes In Mime
sofa In proportion to their earnings.
The governor recommended change
in the system of taxing these compa-
MES, and a satisfactory law was en-
acted. Similarly a rational law as to
mortgage taxation was enacted.
Railway Regulation.
Taking up freight rates. Governor
haustively and conchslvely barred ex-
listing unequal and exorbitant rates
that the railway companies voluntarily
made reduction of 10 per cent on
grain rates on their lines in northern
Minnesota. By order of the railway
commission. REINFORCED by subsequent
legislation. this voluntary reduction
was followed by a horizontal reduc-
ton in maximum freight rates Of about
10 per cent, and there was created a
new class Of merchandise tariff in
which the rates were reduced about 20
per cent. The railways took these re-
auctions into the United States courts
by enjoining the attorney general of
Minnesota from enforcing the law.
This action has opened up some of the
most important litigation involving
constitutional Interpretation that has
come before the supreme court in this
generation.
The Two Cent Law.
The enactment of the two cent pas
senger tariff law was an example of
Governor Johnson's celebrity OF action.
Invited to address the Minnesota Edi-
torial association, instead of making
the usual platitudinous address on such
occasions. ''he exploded the two cent
bomb" and urged that an end be put to
the giving of passes. He talked on
the same subject to a convention OF
commercial travellers. Immediately the
state was aflame with this innovation
In railway legislation When the legis-
lature met he asked for law embody.
ing this idea and the legislature quick
ly responded. Neighhoring states fol.
lowed with reductions, and now
throughout the middle northwest the
two cent rate prevails.
About the time Governor Johnson
came into Office there was a wide
spread agitation for reciprocal demur-
rage laws which would compel rail
ways to allow shippers demurrage
charges for failure to deliver cars on
time. Governor johnson, ever abreast
Of popular progress, recommended such
a law and got It.
Thanks to his initiative, the orders
of the Minnesota railroad and ware
house commission are now Immediate
ly effective pending appeal.
In Defense Of Labor.
Governor Johnson. In consonance
with his thorough democracy and be-
lieving in equal rights. has not been
neglectful of the interests of labor. He
desired q free state employment bu-
reau designed to eliminate the many
abuses that have marked private en-
ployment bureaus in the great labor
centers of Minnesota. Such a bureau
was created and has been thoroughly
helpful and widely efficient.
Since time immemurial that relic OF
the common law doctrine of
nonliability of employer to employee
For injuries occurring through the negli-
gence OF fellow ser gant, has prevail
ed In Minnesota as well as in many
other states. This ancient rule OF the
law" said Governor Johnson.
coupled with the other rule generally
referred to as the doctrine of the as
of risk by employees. has
cast upon the individual laborer risk
and responsibility out of proportion TO
the wages he receives"
During his term Of Office Governor
Johnson has had to deal with one
great conflict between labor and capt.
the strike of the miners
)n the Minnesota iron ranges. BY d.
'ect personal Intervention, by advice
70 the employers on the one hand aud
he strikers ON the other. the governor
without the use of state
.roops. In preventing violence and
)loodshed.
In the forests and prairies of north
.rn Minnesota are great extents of
'ertile lands which, owing to lack OF
lrainage, have not been available for
cultivation. Thanks to Governor john
on, additional legislation on this sub
ect was secured, and hundreds OF
thousands Of acres of fertile land will
,e added to the rolls of the states
wealth.
Governor Johnson believes in the
municipal ownership Of public utilities.
nd, following his suggestion, a modi-
led form of the Illiaois Mueller law
vas adopted by the Minnesota legisla- |
ure. Under its provisions municipal |
ty may bond its street railways or