The Princeton union., 1918-12-19
FIAT n TONNAGE TAX
.Sehator Hamer Replies to Cravens'.
Article and shows That Mil
aca Editor is ut Sea.
He Tears to Shreds Cravens' Argu-
ment and Proves it to be With
out Remotest Foundation.
Milaca, December 16, 1918.
e Editor Of the Union:

Milaca, December 16, 1913.
To the Editor Of the Union:
It is said that discretion is the bet
ter part Of valor. Some people some
times forget this and will sacrifice
their discretion and some other de-
sirable qualities to their valor. This
appears to be true of Mr.. Cravens'
editorial effort in the Milaca Times
Of December IL, and on the front page.
He begins by saying: "The Princeton
Union published a lengthy communl-
cation from Senator Richard Hamer
las4 week in which the senator attacks
iheS idea of tonnage tax on iron ore.
:. he important feature of the article
is the fact that Mr.. Hamer is opposed
+ to a tonnage tax" In another place
he says, $50 Mr.. Hamer has the honor
of being the first advocate OF the idea
that there is danger Of overtaxing the
steel trust"
Those who read my communica alton
referred to will know that the idea OF
principle Of tonnage tax was not dis
vcussed therein. There was nothing
said about the merits or the dement's
of the idea, SO that Mr.. Cravens' asser-
tions are altogether unwarranted.
Those who have habituated themselves
to thinking logically will disapprove
of his method Of reasoning, and, per-
haps blame the man for trying to mis- mis-
inform his readers by fallacious argu-
ment. We suggest, however, the sus-
pension of judgment as to blame
uorfhiness on the ground of uncertain
81 " as to whether it is due to moral
or a mental obliquity or both.
One effect of the discussion started
by my letter has been to bring things
out into the open that were in the dark
before. In this connection one may
mention particularly the contention OF
Mr.. Cravens and other league intellec-
tuals, that, Notwithstanding the fact
that the prices of ore and iron was
fixed and revised by President Wilson,
there is still being carried ON by the
steel trust gigantic scheme Of graft,
and these league leaders are calling
for share in it. If the charges OF
these men are correct the president
must necessarily be implicated. In the
light Of this how are we to view their
laudations of President Wilson
When are we going to spring the graft
charges against him? The guilt or
innoeense of the President stands or
falls with that Of the steel trust IN
this case. Mr.. Cravens' argument
proceeds on the assumption Of their
guilt as follows: "The tonnage tax
proposed is an ADDITIONAL TAX to
) be- Wied by the state on each ton OF
q lined, and at 25 cents per ton
would have brought the state revenue
last year about $11 $1,000, and some
of the richer ores could be taxed high
er and proportionately increase the
revenue. If the steel trust was taxed
dollar for dollar on their property IN
Minnesota the same as the farmers are
taxed. the total tax they would have
to pay would be nearer $50 900, 900 pei
wear than the amount stated above"
The surprising character Of the
foregoing quotation will be better seer
in the light Of some facts relating to
and involved in
The Valuation of Mining Properties.
The work of ascertaining the value
Of the mining properties is performed
principally, perhaps wholly, by th'
school Of mines, branch Of the uni
versity and the Minnesota tax com
mission. A study of their official re
will give some idea of the care
full manner in which the work is done
The biennial report of the school
dated September 1, 1918, contains tn
following: "Since September 1, 1916
we have reported on 1919 properties
85 of which show an increase Of 159,
834.843 tons, 81 show decrease o
2O.243,O18 tons, and z show no chang
IN tonnage over that previously esti
mated, making net increase il
merchantable ore of 139 ,591 1888 tons.
This shows that there is constan
checking and correction of the dat;
upon which the estimating is based
The means of ascertaining the quaint
tv and quality of ore in any propert,
is by explorative drilling, thereby find
ing the Dimensions Of the ore deposit
Analysis is made of every five feet t
determine the grade Of the ore. Ac
tual workings Of the mines have show
u that the correctness Of this metho
has approached "very close to actua
conditions" The estimate Of the valu
Sc this ore per ton is based on tn
&-erage price Of ore in the open mar
during period Of five or te
deducting, Of course, all tn
ssary items Of cost. / quote til