The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-06-18

Hear Splendid Addresses
During the sessions this morning
and yesterday afternoon, members OF
the Bankers association have heard
some splendid addresses.
J. L. Bell Of Bismarck gave an ad-
dress this morning. his subject being
"A Cross Section of Early American
Finance" dealing with early day
financial conditions.
Taxation Is Unjust
L. e. Birdzell of the North Dakota
tax commission. discussed Bank Tax
alton in North Dakota" He said that
Investigations by the tax commission
showed these features:
That bank stock is assessed at a
higher average than property general.
That this is due to several causes.
estate investments Of a comparatively
few banks. and the failure-whether
rightful or wrongful---on the part of
taxing officials to recognize the JUS
tice Of the privilege Of substracting
i've per cent of the loans and dis
counts from the surplus and profits.
That there are gross inequalities in
the tax burden as between banks at
tributable partly to different charac-
ter Of investments and partly to lack
OF proper faculties for. review and
correction Of assessments.
To bring about changes, Mr.. Bird
Eell suggests that an amendment to
the constitution be provided which
will permit an assessment of proper
ties on a basis of percentage rather
than on the true value.
Bank Assessments Increased. ~,
Mr.. Birdsell pointed to the fact
that bank valuations had. increased
800 ref cent from 1900 to 1910: that
per cent, real estate $50 per cent, and
that the population Of the state had
increased 81 per cent. In the face OF
this condition, Mr.. Birdzell contended
Z that the state was not likely to release
its hold upon this class Of property.
Should be Automatic.
The speaker made. the point that
the methods of making assessments
should be automatic, and that as lit.
OF the assessor. Assessments OF bank.
ing stock should be made by GEN.
trail authority, thus securing unifor-
nifty
Safeguards against double. taxation
should be provided. and these should
be Of such nature as to afford to the
banks as little inducement as possible
to another.
Mr.. Bdrdzell also took up the meth
DDS Of bank assessments in other states.
Dakota Leads Them All.
Joseph Chapman of Minneapolis.
who addressed the association yester-
day, contended that North Dakota had
taken a more aggressive stand in the
matter Of promoting better farming
methods than any other state in the
union, and he contended, too, that
the results had been more far-reach-
ing
Raise Same Kind of Cattle.
W. F. schilling of Northf1eld. said
the question Of dairying, approved OF
a plan under which the farmers in q
community would all handle the same
breed Of cattle. He contended that
under this plan the farmers would
create a community interest. and
would be greater help to each other
than under the present plan.
School Savings Have Value.
N. F. Hawley Of Minneapolis dis
cussed the school savings bank
showing the results attained in MIN
neapolis. AS an educational feature
he believed school savings plans have
remarkable value.
Advocates Long Term Plan.
Geo.. Woodruff of Joliet, ILL.,, advo-
Gated the long term plan Of farm
mortgages. He discussed the sys-
TENS employed in European countries.
and while he did not advise their
adoption in the United States, he said
there were lessons to be drawn from
the method that might be applied to
conditions in this country.
Northwestern Development.
j. H. Ingwerson Of Clinton, Iowa,
took up discussion Of The Agricul-
tural Development Of the Middle
West" He took up discussion Of
the advances shown by the states In
the middle west group, predicting
even greater increases in the coming
The maintainance Of the soil fer
tility, the use of the silo and other
modern farm methods. were advocat-
ed.
Mcvey Speaks This Afternoon.
President McVey Of the University
OF North Dakota was speaker this
afternoon, Financing the Farm" be-
ing his subject.
Following his address the associa-
tion took up the general work OF re-
ceiving committee reports. while the
election Of officers. selection Of next
meeting place and adoption Of reso-
iutions, will close the gathering.
RECORD By JOCKEY-AvIATOR.