The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-03-02
PURPOSE OF BILLS IN THE
STATE LEGISLATURE
Former Governor John Lind Is An Ad-
yocate Of the Measures; Only Land
monopoIists Will Be Made to Feel
The Pinch Of the Law, Asserted That
Gentleman in His Speech Before
Committee Having Matters in Charge
Especial to Free Press.]
Wednesdays DaiIy.

ISt. Paul, February 27.-Friday aft
ertnoon, before large audience in the
house chamber, the tax committee
held public hearing on the bills in
PRODUCED into the senate by Senator
Richard Jones of Duluth, and several
others, and into the house by Repre-
sentative Indrehus and about a dozen
more.
These bills materially reduce taxes
on all farm crops, machinery, cattle
and household goods; all merchandise
and fixtures: all manufacturing ma
terial, machinery and finished prod
ucts; and on all buildings, structures
and improvements in and upon land,
including the value of clearing, drain
age and fertilizing.
Former Governor John Lind made a
very vigorous speech in favor of the
general principle involved in these
bills, and strongly urged legislation in
this direction
Penalties Working Farmer.
He showed how the present system
penalties the working farmer and en-
courages the Spectator in farm lands;
how the city business man and home
owner are fined by taxation while
the owner Of vacant lots is encouraged
j. by low taxation.
trhese bills, Governor Lind insisted
lid relieve the situation.
he entire hearing was very inter-
ing, and Governor Lind rose to a
IN level of eloquence and earnest
IS when he declared that we must
TX at all such questions in the broad
hit of the general good.
Gall will be benefited, some more
E,an others, it is true" said Governor
lind, "but all who labor and produce;
I'll VINO would build up and improve,
III who are engaged in useful service,
Hhese will be benefited. Only the land
nonopolists will be- injured, and they
aave 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.
Building No Homes.
"They are building no homes,
opening no farms, starting no in
dustries, but are hindering and pre-
venting all these by forestalling the
land and holding it out of use."
Mr.. Armson and Mr.. Lord of the
Minnesota Tax Commission strongly
favored the principle of the bills; but
pointed out certain practical objec-
lions. that in their opinion could
easily 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 bunga-
low: while the four vacant lots lying
next to his home, that in summer
were covered with weeds and I'M
!. lightly rubbish and in winter were left
~ the sidewalk covered two feet
~ with snow, were only taxed
n each.
iyow isn't this a good way to en-
tlrage home owning?" asked Sen
or Campbell.
Mr.. Marvin of the committee urged
ne favorable consideration of the
--,ills for the reason that they would
employ labor and help the working
men.
"a vacant lot employs no workmen,
but when we force the owner to i'm
prove, he must hire workmen," said
Mr.. Marvin.
"Higher taxes on vacant lots will
force them into use, set labor at work,
increase the number of homes and
raise the general level of prosperity"
Mr.. Indrehus of the committee
strongly favored the bills because, he
said. they would make it easier for
those. who take UP lands in the coun-
try. fit it for permanent usefulness,
and raise food for the people.
"No country can long endure whose
rural population are renters" said he
"no country can long endure where
landlordism f1ourishes. And the bull
wark of landlordism is low taxes on
hand values and high taxes on in
dustry."