Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-18


l. North Dakota the result of agitation
for n state-owned terminal elevator. 1t was
natural therefore, that after the measures
providing for the industrial commission and
the bank had been passed. that an elevator
system should be provided. The North Da-
kota Mill and Elevator Association, to be
operated by the industrial commission, Will
have charge of the states warehouse ele-
vator and mill system. BY the terms OF this
act North Dakota goes into the business OF
marketing grain and making -four.
This Is really the one big social expert
ment the farmers of the Flichertail state
have wanted to make. They have never
directly expressed themselves on the bank
proposition. But there has been no mistaking
their desire to operate an elevator OF their
own.
A RATHER fantastic scheme which has for
"A its purpose the erection of homes for
citizens Of North Dakota makes up the fourth
big measure in the so-called industrial group
This bill was drawn by Walter Thomas Mills
Socialist lecturer, now under the pay OF the
Townley league.
The law provides for a home building as
soclation of North Dakota, to be controlled
by the industrial commission. Persons IN
tending TO purchase homes permitted TO
open home buying accounts. Once they
have eaved 20 per cent Of the value OF q
home the state will finance them for the
other so per cent, providing for repayment
of principal and interest by a system OF
monthly installments. This home-buildins
measure is looked upal as one of the chief
talking points of the league. Opponents
have not looked upon it as serious.
C,HANGES in North Dakota's tax laws form
" one of the important features Of the work
of the Townley- controlled Legislature. Every
one even the followers of the Nonpartisan
League, admits that North Dakota Is facing
greatly increased taxes. Prof. W. f. Toy
lance OF the University OF Utah. was paid
by the Townley organization to spend the
winter in Bismarck advising the Legislature
on tax bills. He drafted many of the meas
ures.
Perhaps tine most important changes III
the administration of the tax laws of the
state is in the change from a board of tax
commissioners to one man. The Governor
is to appoint the commissioner, in line with
the policy of the league to centraltze all COLL
troll in the hands of the Governor.
The Legislature reclassfed property for
taxation purposes. The property or all utlI-
ties all real estate, including farm lands,
bank stocks, etc, are to be assessed at loo
per cent. All residences, business structures,
stocks of goods, etc, are to be assessed at
so per cent All structures and improvements
agricultural lands are exempt from TAX
alton This is the adoption of the single tax
for the benefit of one ClaSS-thc farming
class Structures and improvements used
as homes in the cities arc to be exempt up
to 81 900 value.
a new income tax law was passed. A dis
tinction Is made between earned and 'un-
ca rned" income, with a tax Of one-half or
! per cent on each $1,000 on unearned, ana
one-quarter OF 1 per cent on each $1,000 on
the earned income
CONTROL of public sentiment is important
Cif extremely radical social experiments
are to be made. The Townley leaders con
Cluded that It was necessary to control the
country press of the state, If possible. The
Nonpa rtiSan League now owns and operates
| at least one paper in each county or the
state.
A series of bills were passed which give
a printing commission the power to designate
the official papers in each county. Such
papers are to get all Of the official printing,
state and county.
| II means that about zoo weekles will be
put out of business. There was much oppo-
| sition to this bill even among some of the
| Nonpartisan League members, and they in
| sisted that 1t should be voted on by the peo-
| pie before eolHs mo eiiec,'
| The league decided that the state really
| needed a committee public information.
| The Legislature appropriated 100000 to be
| spent in advertising the state coinfnis
| sioner OF immigration VINO VIII De Mor,n
| Dakotas George treel' VIII eNPeno ,he lulos
! The law expressly pIoNloes tliit t,le ilao,le
| can be spent in meeting arguments against
| North Dakota's government and industries
In o'ner W.. Wolus' 'no Ss't,'tT ~ ,atn coz he
usea 10 49, a. a,,t nronasa,,(1. ,rori. '
useo Il" ou' '''' 0'
| -. -.-,- =
CONlfoh Oh tne euuIa'oial eS Ste"' , 20 Gil
~ other important matter "hich the Town
ley followers did not overlook. The poart
| of regents OF the state University, tiie podi
of control for all penal and charitable insti
| tutions and the Board of Education were al
abolished. Complete control or all penai
| education and charitable institutions. includ
| ;n, tho ropnon school sYstem of the state