The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-03-01
TAXATION WOULD
Be more Equal
JUST PORTION OF STATES EX-
PENSES SHOULD FALL ON
UNIMPROVED PROPERTY
TAX Commission BACKS BILL
EX-GOV. JNO. LIND AND OTHERS
SPEAK AT PUBLIC HEARING -'
LAST FRIDAY

before large audience in the house
chamber, the tax committee held a
puDlic hearing on the bills introduced
into the senate by Senator Richard
Jones OF Duluth, and several others,
and into the house by Representative
Indrehus and about dozen others.
IheSe bIIlS materially reuuce taxes
on all farm crops, machinery, cattle,
and household goods; al merchandise
products; ana on all buildings, sCrUc-
lures and improvements IN and upon
land, including the value OF clearing,
drainage and fertIlizng. -...
Form + Governor Jonn Lind made a
very vigorous speech In favor of the
general principle involved IN these
bills, and strongly urged legislation in
this direction.
He showed how the present system
penalties the working farmer and en-
! courages the Spectator Ii farm lands;-
how the city business man and home
owner are fined by taxation while the
owner of vacant lots is encouraged by
low taxation. These bills, Governor
Lind insisted, would relieve the situa-
ton.
The entire hearing was very inter-
esting, and Governor Lind rose to a
high level Of eloquence and earnest
ness when he declared that we must
look at all such questions in the broad
light of the general good.
"All will be benefited, some more
than others, it is true" said Governor
Lind, "but all who labor and produce;
all who would build up and improve,
all who are engaged in useful service,
these will be benefited. Only the land
monopolists will be injured, and they
have no claim to consideration. They
are employing no labor, but are pre-
venting employment by holding lots
and lands at prohibitive price. They
are producing no wealth, but are pre-
venting others from producing.
/ "They are building no homes, OPEN
ing no farms, starting no industries,
but are hindering and preventing all
these by forestalling the land and
holding it out o fuse"
Mr. Arrnson and Mr.. Lord of the
Minnesota Tax Commission strangely
favored the principle of the bills; but
pointed out certain practical objec-
lions that in their opinion could cas-
lily be overcome.
| Senator. William A. Campbell Of
Minneapolis told the story of how he
was fined by tax of more than $50
per year because he built a bungalow;
while the four vacant lots lying next
to his home, that in summer were COW
cred with weeds and unsightly rubbish
ord in winter were left with the side
walk covered two feet deep with snow
v1r- taved SO each.
"Now, isn't this a good way to en-
couraeo ho~'e-making asked Sena-
tor Campbell.
Mr.. Marvin of the committee urged
the favorable consideration of the. bills
for the reason that they would employ
labor and helm tho working-ren.
"a vacant lot EMPLOYS no worlmen,
hrt whom we force the owner to inn
prove, he must hire Yorkmen," said
Mr. Norwin.
"Higher taxes on vacant lots will
force them into use, set labor at work
Increase the number Of homes and
raise the eaneral level Of prosperity"
Mr.. Indrehus of the COMMITTEE
rtronrlv favored the nils because, he
said, they would make It easier for
those who take up land in The country,
fr il For porma-enS usefulness and
raise food for the people.
"No country can long endure whose
rural population are renters" said he.
nj. country can long endre where
landlordism flourishes. And the bull
lwark of landlordism is low taxes on
land values and high taxes on indus
try
The Hiph School Basket Bsll t"arf