The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1908-04-25

ton bound itself as a substitute to
establish a $2O,0o0,000 steel plant at
Duluth.
The newly created tax commission,
together with the state board of equal
ization, which preceded 1t (the men,
bers Of which were appointed by
Governor Johnson, have in the four
years Of Governor Johnson's admins
tration increased the assessed valua-
ton of the steel corporations iron ore
holdings in Minnesota from $32, 900, 900
to s190,000,000.
The sleeping-car companies of Min
nesota had never paid taxes in Min
nesota in proportion to their earnings.
The governor recommended a change
in the system of taxing these compan-
les and satisfactory law was enacted.
Similarly, a rational law as to mort
gage taxation was enacted.
Railway Regulation.
Taking up freight rates, Governor
johnson in powerful speech so ex-
haustively and conclusively barred ex-
listing unequal and exorbitan, rates
that the railway companies voluntarily
| 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
new class of merchandise tariff In
which the rates were reduced about
20 per cent. The railways took these
reductions into the United States
courts, by enjoining the attorney gen.
eral of Minnesota from enforcing the
law. This action has opened up some
of the most important litigation in
volving 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 Ed.
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 70 a convention
Of commercial travellers. Immediate.
| ly the state was aflame with this inno-
walton In railway legislation. When
the legislature met, he asked for law
embodying this idea and the legisla-
ture quickly responded. Neighboring
states followed with reductions, and
| 4, a.
the two-cent rate prevails.
About the time Governor Johnson
came into Office there was 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 law and got II.
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
|
neglected. of the interests of labor. He
desired a 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 bureau
was created and has been thoroughly
helpful and widely efficient
Since time immemorial, that relic
OF feudalism, the common law doc
trine of non-liablity of employer to
employee for injuries occurring
through the negligence of fellow
servant has prevailed in Minnesota, as
well as in many other states. This
ancient rule of the common law" said
Gov. Johnson, coupled with the other
rule generally referred to as the doc.
trine of the assumption of risk by
employees, has cast upon the individ-
ual laborer risk and responsibility
out of proportion TO the wages he re-
ceives."
During his term of Office Gov. John.
son has had to deal with one great
conflict between labor and capital,
namely, the strike of the miners on
the Minnesota iron ranges. BY direct
personal intervention, by advice to the
employers on the one hand and the
strikers on the other, the governor sue.
E ceeded, without the use of state troops,
+ in preventing violence and bloodshed.
In the forests and prairies of north
: ern Minnesota are great extents of
, fertile land, which, owing to lack of
I'LL.
cultivation. Thanks to Gov. Johnson,
, additional legislation on this subject
! was secured, and hundreds of thou,
sands of acres of fertile land will be
: added to the rolls of the states
wealth.
Gov. Johnson believes in the mum.
cipal ownership of public utilities, and
| following his suPPaStiOn n nndiHad