Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-09-25

ownership Oh rdliIOduS.
II the government were to acquire
the railroads, II would have to buy and
pay for them, for we have constitu-
tional provision that private property
cannot be taken over for public use
without just compensation. That pro-
vision we dare not abrogate. because II
the government could confiscate rail-
road II could likewise confiscate farms.
shops and homes.
What woi.Id II have to pay for the
raiIroadsf Admittedly 1t would not
have to pay for "watered stock" or
good will. but II would have to pay
the actual value of all physical prop
erty used In transportation. What b
that value? One valuation has been
made. As q result of that val
uation II was ascertained that the
physical value of the railroad prop
critics OF this country In 1915 was $751;
$1,000, 900. Since that time several
billions of dollars have been added.
and II has been estimated that the
value today is $4,000. 100000. To be
safe. let as put II at $4,000, 100000
That Is s per cent of 10000, 000, 900,
the estimated national wealth. Bonds.
would have TO be isued to provide the
money, and these bonds would consti-
tute first lien on all the property In
America, for the interest thereon
would be collectible as taxes, and
taxes take precedence over any mort
gage or other lien. Your share, Min
nesota farmer. II you own $4,000
farm, would be $1,000. Would you
willingly appear before notary pub
lie to sign and acknowledge $4,000
mortgage on your farm in order to
furnish the money with which to-make
q doubtful experiment In public
ownership of railroads? Would you
give anybody q power Of attorney to
execute such a mortgage for you? You
would not. But that Is just what the
candidates of the so-called Farmer-La-
Dor party ask you to do when they ask
you to vote for them.
And they are asking you, not only
to give them such power of attorney.
but to consent to a doubling OF the
state tar on your farm. At the present
time the state of Minnesota derives
$S.500,000 q year from tax on the
gross earnings o. railroad companies.
property, the state would lose that
ACNCuucs AOI 4 WOuiQ DC lutnc kOE LUG
government to tax It's own instrumen-
tally. The revenue thus lost would
have to be made up by an additional
levy on all other property In the state.
An additional one-mill levy would raise
less than 100000. In order to make
up the $500. 900 Of lost revenue. there
would have to be imposed on every
farm and every other piece Of prop
erty In Minnesota practically four
mills in additional taxes. The average
state tax rate during the past decade
has been only little over four mills.
Therefore. Minnesota farmer, when
the candidates of the so-called Farmer
Labor party ask you to vote for them.
they not only ash you to put $4,000
mortgage on your farm but to consent
to a doubling Of the state tax-rate
thereon. not only for the next year, or
the next decade. but for all time to
come.
And let II be fgoted, that however
disastrous government ownership OF
railroads would be. II would be rela.
lively harmless compared with the
adoption Of the entire public owner
ship program OF the so-called Farmer.
Labor party.
II viii undoubtedly be contended by
advocates OF the public ownership idea
that the publicly-owned enterprises
would return to the government sums
adequate to compensate for loss Of
taxes and to pay the interest on bonds.
There IL no basis for such q conten-
ton II we may Judge from the expert
ence of the neighboring state of North
Dakota In the operation OF its -four
mill. Not only has the mill failed to
return its operating expenses; not
only does II not pay any taxes on its
property; but the taxpayers OF the
state are required to meet an interest
charge Of $1,000 per day on the bonds
issued to build and equip II and to
finance its business. Surely he would
be an optimist who, with knowledge Of
the record OF public ownership else
where, would expect publicly operated
Industrial enterprises to bring to the
people anything but higher taxes, In
credit and Industrial stagnation.
Instead OF adopting policies which
would increase the burdens Of the peo-
pie OF our commonwealth, let us take
steps to reduce those burdens. Let us
make government simpler. not more
complex.
Born and raised on q farm I share
the aspirations o. those who labor.
My sympathies are not with the
drones Of society but with its workers
for have always had to work my
self when I am In the executive
chair. the farmers and workers OF Min.
nesota win know they have a governor
who understands them because he 10
one OF them.
The people OF Minnesota may be
dissatisfied. but they are not radical.
II will be my purpose to help them
discover the reasons for the conditions
which have made them dissatisfied.
and to outline policies which will help
remove those conditions. They shall
know the truth and the truth shall
make them free.
The Republican party enters this
campaign with confidence, knowing
that It's record OF achievement justihes
faith In the sincerity OF its present
promises. II presents In Calvin Cool.
idge. Its candidate for President. one
who. entering the Office OF Chief Exec
utive under conditions as trying as
those that ever confronted any man,
has won the confidence Of his fellow
citizens everywhere. For vice-Presi.
dent II offers in Charles G. Dawes. not
. a..~~ k.s