The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-01-24
GOPHERS DEBATE
TAX ON MILLIONS
ATTORNEY GENERAL SIMPSON
AND ASSISTANT WEEKS CON-
FER WITH THE KEN
NEEDY EXECUTOR.

New York, Jan. 24.-Attorney Gener-
al George T. Simpson of Minnesota and
Assistant Attorney General C. Louis
Weeks had their second conference
with Robert w. Deforest, representing
the executors OF the late John S. Ken
nedy today.
While no definite result was reached
a sto what the executors will do con-
corning Minnesotas claim for inheri-
lance tax in the Great Northern rail-
way stock, held by Mr.. Kennedy, I am
satisfied that the state will be paid
the full amount that can be levied I'M
der the states inheritance tax"
Mr.. Simpson said tonight to Pub
fishers Press representative:
What that amount would be I am
unable to state or even estimate. lie
will not be less than $15OOo0. 1t might
be 100000.
To Consider Reasonable Time.
The executors of Mr.. Kennedy nat
urally will take a reasonable amount
of time for considering the matter as
we have presented it to them. we can
assess and collect the tax as a matter
Of course under our Minnesota aw, pro-
viding for an Inheritance tax upon all
a
ceased nonresident at the time of his
or her, death. The constitutional of
the law In that respect has been affirm
ed by our supreme court
Now the issue IL any were made
in sucn case as the one in hand. is
whether the property represented by
certificates of stock in a domestic cor
poration ha sits situs in the state
where that corporation exists or In
some other locality where the certffi-
Gates are held or deposited.
To Have Matter Decided.
Our business in New York is 10
have that issue tried out Mr., Weeks
has been appointed special admins
traitor for the estate of Mr., Kennedy
by our probate court. and our pur-
pose is to have an executor of the will
appointed on the part of our state as
creditor of the estate OF Mr.. Kennedy
creditors of the deceased persons being
entitled under our laws to have such
action taken. The object of this move
on our part is to have the executors
of Mr. Kennedy come to Minnesota and
contest our action, raising the issue as
TO whether the situs Of propertv rem
resented by stock certificates Is IN the
state where the issuing corporation
holds its charter or in the state where
the certificates are deposited or the
holder has his residence"
We have no desire to administer on
the property. What we want Is a court
decision on the point have jusr stated
That point decided in our favor. we
VIII stand ready at once to permit. un-
der the proper conditions our own an
pointed executors to resign and turn
the administration over to the execu-
tors, named in Mr. Kennedy's viii or
their accredited agents or attorneys,
Seek Friendly Understanding.
] am satisfied that we win be met
In all the issues involved with fairness
and courtesy. Mr. Deforest has met
us In most amicable manner. and |
has expressed himself as pleased with
the high plane upon which Minnesota
is acting in this matter. He recognizes |
the fact that there Is a principle of
taxation involved, which is OF far
reaching importance, and in our aim
TO determine it we are working along /
lines that invite the cooperation ra1h- /
er than any antagonism of interests
represented"