The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-06-19

references to bluffs or statements
that these facts are not so, are wilful
receptions or due to failure to observe.
Not many companies have gone but
many are ready if the announced tax
policies are adopted. All too many
individual citizens have gone, and are
getting ready. When Industrial men
direct attention to these facts they
are called knockers This does not
meet the issue The whole question
is, shall Wisconsin become state of
branch factories with absentee owner
ship or shall we encourage industrial
men to work and live with US to build
"a greater Wisconsin?
Praise for Nash Plant
"The recent purchase by Nash of
the defunct Mitchell plant at Racine
compared with the removal of Palm
olive to Chicago ought to compel ev-
cry thinking man to Stop, look and
listen
Coming into this state few years
ago, Nash and his associates have built
up mighty industry giving employ
ment to thousands, paying out mil
lions to Wisconsin labor and furnish
ing market for hundreds of Wiscon-
sin farmers. Up to now the general
Office has been located in Wisconsin
and state income taxes paid on full
net earnings.
Because the industry has been sue
cessful it has paid taxes several times
the amounts that would have been re-
CURED had they located in Michigan
the home of their principal competi-
tors. How easy it would be to move
the home Office to Chicago and con-
duct Wisconsin plants as branch fac
tories thereby depriving our state of
hundreds of thousands of dollars now
paid in income taxes. 1t is impos-
sible to understand short-sighted
craftsmanship that would continue an
agitation which is bound to compel
just action.
Industry Not Complaining.
ct is necessary to bear in mind that
industry is not complaining ABOUT
present tax laws but it's greatest CON.
Germ is due to the uncertainty OF ths
future. If our present tax system
could be established as a definite poll
cy, industry would accept the present
comparatively higher tax burdens and
| fight with the advantage our state
! possesses.
Whatever may be the announced
reasons for Palmolive leaving the
state, it is generally true that actions
speak louder than words. To meet an
alleged demand for greater convent
yence of location, it was not necessary
to incorporate under the laws of an
other state and continue the Wiscon-
| sin factory as a branch under the
name of Western Operating company
or some similar manufacturing cor
poration. Who shall say Milwaukee
is less conveniently located than Gin
cinnati, the home Of Ivory Soap?
"This year the Palmolive company
is paying Wisconsin income tax on
1888 per cent of it's total net earn
ings. Watch this percentage dwindle
as the years go by. The JohnsMan-
vile company who have been out of
the state several years pay this year
in Wisconsin tax on only 71s per
| cent of their total earnings.
"a few weeks ago the Country, Gen
| tlemen in an editorial referred to the
Wisconsin forcing policy as killing
the Golden Goose" a statement ex-
pressive and accurate.
SIN discussion of this vital matter
we are apt to refer to the larger in
dustries who because over 80 per cent
of their products are sold outside of
Wisconsin can easily establish their
home offices in other states. We
must not forget the smaller indus
tries who in their struggle for posi-
ton must bear the added Wisconsin
burden of industrial tax. They need
the encouragement and support of our
state government and not an attitude
adverse to their future progress and
prosperity.
There is no class of business men
that has more reason to boost Wis
consin than men in industry. They
have a full appreciation of all this
state offers in natural resources, To-
cation, climate and citizenship. We
are entitled to full measure of pros
perity, comparable with any state in
the Union.
"With a favorable and encouraging
attitude towards the farmer Wiscon-
sin has become the leading dairy state
of the nation. With the same senti-
ment and same boosting spirit towards
industry we shall go forward to
greater achievements and larger pros
perity."