The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-09-22

met on the eve OF the election OF 1908
said, Michigan is the best admins
tered state in the Union In the same
speech he denounced the statement
of the Democratic candidate as TO the
condition OF the states treasury. He
told hts hearers that there was then
( s.. 600 900 there, when, as a matter OF
I fact. there was deficit.
Wants Primary System Improved.
Mr.. Hemans advocated civil SER
vice reform, and of direct nomina-
tons said: II am in favor OF the re-
/ tention of the primary nominating
system and the elimination from II OF
those Objectionable and obnoxious
features that Republican legislature
placed within il TO make IL distaste-
full to the body OF people and hard
ship for minority parties TO comply
with"
With reference to an employers liza
bility law he stated: ITO adjust the
law to modern conditions so that II
shall provide just rule OF compen-
sation 10 the worker for injury re-
ceived and at the same time protect
the employer from what in the case
OF a small employer might mean ruin.
is problem that the wisdom OF no
man has correctly solved. but 10 an
honest effort 10 it's solution the Demo
cratic party should stand committed.
Upon former occasions | have OPP
posed the exemption of credits from
taxation. but broader experience has
convinced me that the state should
resort 10 some different method for
the taxation of at least mortgage
credit than that now in vogue. Tn
der the present system only the
widowed. the orphaned, and the par
ticularly conscientious seem TO pay
taxes upon mortgages, while millions
OF dollars escape because OF the as
tuteness OF their holders. | believe
| that the burden upon this class OF
property would in the general aver
age be greatly lessened, and as much
or more revenue obtained from a rea-
sonably moderate specific tax, or a
tax equitably rated collected at the
time OF the recording OF the instru-
ment.
Taxation Of Mines.
Another situation that has already
waited too long for correction is the
inadequate taxation of the great min
ing properties of the state. | am
aware that TO mention this subject Is
TO invite the censure OF those who
have profited by injustice, and to
brinE upon ones self the charge OF
seeking to array section against sec
ton AS for myself, repel the asper-
sion.
The iron mines OF Michigan, II the
records are not at fault, have for a
long series OF years borne yearly a
less valuation than the value or their
annual product. The combined pro-
duct of our mines of iron and copper
was approximately s25,000,000 in ex-
cess of the gross operating revenue or
all our railways. They produced this
with less labor than that employed
by the railroads, and yet they bore
but a little more than one-third or
their public burden.
More than so per cent OF all the
iron mined in Michigan is the pro-
duct of the operations of the Oliver
Iron Mining Co, subsidiary OF the
United States Steel corporation.
do not mention this fact to urge dis
elimination against ii, but do insist
that its character should not be the
occasion for discrimination in its
favor as against the railways which
contribute so much to the progress
and prosperity of the state.
Mines vary likewise in the hard
ness of rock. the amount OF water to
be contended with, and numerous
other factors that enter into the cost
of production, and which TO my mind
would make inequitable the applica-
ton OF a material tonnage tax, at least
until an honest effort for the appraise-
ment of mines has been made and
failed.
"The mining properties OF Michigan
are so vast and extensive, the tempta-
ton to differentiation by local super
visors so potent, that their valuation
should be fixed by a non-partisan and
expert body which could be brought
into existence, whose findings would
be Just and equitable, and which local
supervisors and apportioning bodies
should by law be compelled to &C
cept."