The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-04-24
other section of the state a system Of
taxation based upon an inequality.
Such attitude obviously threatens the

taxation based upon an Inequality.
Such attitude obviously threatens the
staIe with a condition Of sectional
hatred and prejudice which Is ominous
to the states future peace and har-
mony and progress.
However patriotic and disinterested
in purpose the author and a majority
Of the friends of this measure may
be, the fact remains that the people
Of the northern counties in which our
mineral resources are located believe,
as one man, that their section and in
dustry are singled out for tax discrim-
ination and confiscation.
Taxation is not for punishment. The
sovereign power of taxation is not
conferred by the people upon their
representatives for the purpose of pun
fishing any industry, class or section
The foundation theory of taxation Is
absolute equality, and justice to the
hunblest and mightiest alike.
Unfair and Unjust Burden.
In its practical operation, this bill.
as it would affect the great mining
corporations, would not, believe, work
out the results designed by the author.
Based upon metallic standards, en-
tirely, it would be OF advantage to the
mining companies now operating In
the Vermilion and Mesaba ranges and
would work a decided disadvantage: to
the people possessing low grade ores
of the undeveloped properties now in
the hands thousands Of settlers in
Dnl% Tna r.
bard, Itasca, Morrison, Crow Wing, OF
tertail, Todd and Wadena counties. Not
only would there be a discrimination
in favor Of the older. and richer sec
ton Of our mineral area, but 1T would
place an unfair and unjust burden up
on their smaller and Independent COM
petitors in the newer and less .devel-
oped section, and in many instances
would doubtless result in the latter
being compelled to surrender their
properties at a sacrifice to that cor
poration which dominates the steel in
dustry of the United States.
Proposed Plan Dangerous.
The purpose of taxation is to raise
revenue for the expenses of govern
ment and on this theory taxes should
be levied on all classes and on all Sec
tions as nearly alike as may be. There
is no denial of the statement that this
section now pays on valuations greater
than other classes of real estate in
other sections Of the state and while
1t may be possible, and doubtless IL
true. that notifications may be neces-
sary, this can be accomplished, as
have already stated, fully as well I'M
der the present ad valorem system
under the scientific Investigations oil
the tax commission, as under the spe-
cific plan proposed in this bill, anG
the present plan has this very decided
advantage to the state, that the rev.
enues are definitely determined ant
expenditure can be made accordingl!
| while under the" proposed plan Their
would obtain flextbility dangerous
in it's uncertainty, as the revenues
would be more or less as the companie
mined much or little.
I believe that the bill, providing a.
It does a double system of taxation o.
one class of property, is wrong il
principle, and for this and the tea
sons above recited I herewith return
the same. :, y~
JOHN A. JOHNSON, Governor