The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1910-06-04
AGAINST SPECIFIC TAX
Chase S. Osborn Writes Letter TO the State
Grange Defining His Position

0faNbD ONAHf"'b 'He ~~'N
Chase S. Osborn Is opposed to the
placing of specific tax on iron and
copper production. In a letter reply
+ ing 10 questions relative TO matters of
interest to owners OF farm lands sub
mitted by the secretary OF the state
grange he defines his position, sThe let
ter follows
ITO question No / am opposed
to the specific tax on iron and copper
production. | will be glad 20 give my
reasons in detail for my position.
Briefly. the state Of Michigan is in
competition with not only the states
OF Arizona and Montana in copper pro-
duction but with Mexico, Japan and
South American countries. In iron
production the state Is in competition
with Minnesota particularly in this
country and with the cheaply mined
ores in Cuba and Spain. / do not
wish, and am sure you do not wish TO
impose conditions that will make IL
impossible for our state TO produce in
successful competition with others.
At the same time ! am In favor OF the
iron and copper interests paying their
just share of taxation, and II is abso-
lutely important aud desirable that
they should do SO. | consider that un-
der the present ad valorem system
sufficient taxes can be collected from
these interests as from other interests
70 bring about an equitable result IL
they are rot paying enough taxes un-
der the present conditions, u Is easy
enough 10 increase their taxation with
out adopting the specific system which
the state has after many years agita
tion and expensive investigation repu-
dated
1T costs more 10 mine iron ore and
copper, on the average. In Michigan
than in almost any other mining re.
gion, and the only reason that Michi-
gan can produce at all seems TO be the
peculiar character of It's ores and It's
particular geographical position on the
lakes which enables II to get TO market
through the medium Of cheap transpor
tation There are many mines in
Michigan that are mere prospects and
at which the cost Of production is sew
eral times as great as Other poperties
Specific tax would make all properties
pay the same taxation per ton without
reference to cost OF production and this
would seem to be manifestly unfair
and specific taxation also would not
collect taxes from properties which do
not produce, and frequently mines are
shut down for considerable time
There are other reasons why am
opposed to the specific tax on iron and
copper productions It might be well
for me to state In this connection that
am not interested In any mines or
mining lands or mining properties or
mining stocks in the state OF Michi-
gan.
ITO your second question, | am
pleased to state that | am more than
ususually interested in the conserva-
tion OF natural resources with special
reference to water power
To your third question, | am and
have been in favor Of making telephone
companies common carriers
To your fourth question. | am in
favor Of more equitable distribution
OF the primary school fund
Fifth ! am in favor Of progressive
good roads Legislation
SIXTH am in favor OF the estab-
lishment of the Torrens system of land
transfers
In conclusion permit me To say
that am interested in everything that
will benefit the agricultural conditions
OF Michigan and those who follow that
pursuit | was born upon farm.
was raised upon tarm, educated in
an agricultural university. have farm
ing lands today and conduct active
farming operations No nation in the
history Of the world has ever failed
that has given first and fair attention
70 its agricuIturlsts and no nation or
state in the history OF the world has
ever lived that has not dcne so fully
believe that the fall Of Greece. Phoen.
ecia, Carthage and Rome may be laid
to the hocking to towns by the people
and TO the discomfort OF the farming
classes and the abuse Of the natural re.
sources OF those lands
Cotch Won