The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-07-28
MINNESOTA.
PROSPEROUS
COMMONWEALTH FINDS ITSELF
IN POSSESSION OF VAST
SUMS OF MONEY.
PROCEEDSOF RECENT JUDGMENT
Hoard May Wipe Out Taxes for 1911
and Become a Christmas Gift
Governor Said to Be Seeking
Legal Authority.

st. Paul, July 3.-Minnesotas taxes
abrogated for the year 1911. No state
taxes paid, the state running itself
through collections coming in from va
rious sources and through the unusual
collections made during the year.
This is an unheard of thing, some
thing that probably has never occurred
in the history of this or any other
state, but it is exactly what is going
to happen in Minnesota, if recommen-
dations which Governor A. O. Eber-
hart, following suggestions made by
Attorney General George T. Simpson
and other state officers, are reported
to be considering, are followed.
At present the treasury of the state
OF Minnesota is grooming under the
burden of surplus which has never
been duplicated. On Oct. there will
be nearly $4,00O,000 in the state treas
ury. Oct. l, 1909, there was approx
mately 100000 in the treasury, or
about half the amount that will be in
the states strong box on the CORE
spending date this year. There is, or
will be, surplus of $1,7OO,OOO in the
state treasury.
The unusual amount of money in the
states cash box has come about
through the successful settlement of
cases which have netted the state
large sums of money. The largest of
these items came from the settlement
OF the lumber cases, the gross earn
ings tax cases, the Kennedy inheri-
lance tax cases and others.
Not only have large sums of money
come into the treasury, but they will
result in constantly augmenting
streams of gold in the direction of the
states Golfers, so that Minnesota bids
fair to become a state unique in the
history OF taxation-a state that may
find it not necessary 10 tax it's people !
one cent for the general maintenance
of state governments.
AS this money has been piling up in !
the state treasury the officers of tho |
state have been wondering what to do
with it, 1t is understood there have
been secret conferences extending over
month. The governors office has
been in secret consultation with the
o11ce OF the attorney general, the at.
,orney general has been in consultation
with the state auditor and the state
auditor has in turn consulted with the
,thers
"Melon" Won't Be Cut.
What the exact results Of these con-
erences have been and just how far
hey have gone in settling the future
financial policy of the state is not
,noWn. The matter has been guarded
ealously with the probable intention
I giving the conclusions to the state
ii in one finding and the definite con-
luslons may not have been reached.
But this much can be stated, the
overnor's inquiry has resulted in an
pproval of the part of the attorney
eneral OF the program of abrogating
ne states taxes and it is probable
nat a cool million Or more, possibly
he entire taxation sum, will be Topped
II the roll for the year beginning
ct. /.
Matters of policy for the future are
lvolved. SURPRISES are dangerous
llngs. They tempt to the cutting of
elons, OF useless expenditures in the
ay of improvements, new buildings.
ate institutions, etc. The applica-
on OF money to the running expenses
the state which are paid out of
e general revenue fund, would find
immediate use for the cash.
The program is SO revolutionary p.
at the absolute legality of the act j.
ay be questioned, but it is under
God from seemingly credible sources
at Attorney General Simpson be-
ives it can be done, that other law. '
RS are of the same opinion and that =
will be done to the extent of an y
ylng the surplus of over one mil
IN dollars to the general expenses :.
nd OF the state, leaving only some y
ing like 100000 to be raised bv
neral taxation PURPOSES.