The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1915-08-06
SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE, SAUCE FOR THE
GANDER -

GANDER .....~.i
HE st. Paul Dispatch and the St. Paul Pioneer Press
editorally commenting the situation at Hibbing,
- declare that the mining concerns at Hibbng who
withholding the payment of their taxes should be re-
CURED to pay their and the 10 per penalty
due to the last penny The editorial which is the
both newspapers declares that there is significance for
the entire in Hibbings difficulty and that it is not
merely question Of whether the local municipal
eminent survive but question whether property
holders with sufficient amount of money to influence
courts or politics make their own laws.
1t must be admitted that viewed from the distance at
which the Pioneer Press and Dispatch view this
troversy those newspapers have raised interesting
point However, both newspapers accepting too much
for granted. The mining at Hibbing not
attempting influence courts politics. The action
taken by them at Hibbng last resort. Would the
St. Paul Dispatch and the Pioneer Press deny tax
payer the right to have voice in saying how his money
spent because he pays million dollars and accord
to another that right because he pays dollar?
Must taxpayer who is contributing the greater portion
of levy Of $750000 remain subservient to municipal
policy whose constant aim to increase expenditures in
spirit Of retaliation for wrongs real imaginary? Is
there limit? What is the plain duty of heavy tax
payer in the face of such situation? Are the village
officials of Hibbng less responsible to their largest tax
payer than their smallest and if will the Pioneer
Press Dispatch tell in what measure? Does the law
confer special rights and obligations property
holder and impose special rights and obligations upon
another? If the Pioneer Press and Dispatch paying
twothrs of the of the city of St. Paul would they
want to their expenditure delegated to Coal Oil
Johnny? If so why? What crime have the mining con-
committed in developing the mines in the vicinity
of Hbbng the point where they yield $10,000,000
year? If they had hesated at the investment
to reach that condition. where would the village of Hib
bng be today? Would not be farer take into
the investments that have been made and the
penditues undertaken in developing the which
o1dc ham md not he
also take into consideration the which the
community gets directly if not indirectly from the
tions which produce that profit?
From one end of the Mesaba Range to the other the
liberal municipal policy to which the mining interests
cheeruly give accord is manifested in street and high
way improvements, in public buildings, in magnificent
Schools in modern and uptodate utilities plants in ap
preparations for public purposes at which southern Mime
sofa towns would throw up their hands and gasp.
With few isolated exceptions that has always
been their policy. There is axpayng interest in the
that fully appreciates its respon-
sblity to its dependents than does the mining interest
of the Mesaba Range. There is that is trying to
administer that responsibility literally, fairly
with eye single to the common good. There
is interest that slow to retaliation in the face of
injustice and open license. There is interest more
anxious to itself surrounded with communities of
happy contented and prosperous people. There is
interest that is devotng much attention to accomplish
ing that end and saying as little about it.
1t has been freely asserted that the mining interests
are trying kill the Hbbing If that were true
why did they permit the present mayor and the village
council and the preceding administration, undertake
public improvements and build village and school buildings
that several million dollars without uttering pro-
test?
That cry is the natural of interested property hold
at Hibbng, who cannot bde the day when the
fair and liberal treatment they have received in the past
will dispose of their problem. There is not foot OF
real in the greater part of the village of Hbbne
today that could not be disposed of private sale TO,
three times what it's value would be similarly situated
city like Mankato Winona. What have the property
of Hibbing to complain about if they not
moved by spirit Of ACKNOWLEDGMENT that is too assertve
to bde the day. if that day comes when the mining
will take it at price that will be fair
based on the somewhat unusual situation that there
exists
The refusal of the mining companies pay their
has had the desired result has opened the whole stua
ton at Hbbng, past and present. to full and frank dis
cusson It has paved the way the conferences that
being held and eventually, if those responsible
for the municipal affairs Of the village of Hbbing show
the spirit of fairness do the mining companies
it will result in their settlement and for ALL the
brood and liberal basis which the mining interests
dispose Of all matters of this kind in the Mesaba Range
country.
THE FALL OF WARSAW.
IN the scale of the achievements of conendinp armies