davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21
HIGH TAXATION AND THE IRON ORE
INDUSTRY Of MINNESOTA
EDWARD j Nancy SAYS THAT A JUST MODIFICATION OF TAXES
WILL STIMULATE THE STATES MINING INDUSTRY.

capital of the middle west is invested
in the ore and steel business and
manufactures and industries depend
ent thereon, and that over one and
three-quarter millions of people of the
territory between the Alleghenies and
the Rockies are directly employed in
these industries, and that about eight
million of our citizens depend for their
existence upon such employment.
Minnesota Largest Producer.
According to the latest report of the
Minnesota Tax Commission, approx
mately two-thirds of the annual pro-
duction of iron ore in the United
States is derived from Minnesota de-
poSitS, and by far the greater part of
this comes from your own county of
ST. Louis and within a comparatively
few miles of where you live. Even .
much larger proportion of the annual
production of iron ore in the United
States comes from what is known as
the Lake Superior district. In fact
the basis of the whole iron and steel
industry in the United States at pres
ent is the iron ore deposits OF this
district. Destroy the iron industry of
this district and you have largely de-
stroyed the iron ore business of the
United States and driven the produc-
ton of other countries.
No less an authority than Presi-
dent HotchkisS of the Michigan Col
lege of Mining and Technology has
given the life of the supply of what
is now merchantable iron ore in the
Lake Superior district twenty-five
years, and this, of course, is not a
long time in the life of a county or
state. However, Minnesota has vast
deposits of low grade ores, not now
merchantable. But these may be made
valuable, should a state policy of n
enlargement and aid be extended to
the industry, already established, with
its immense invested capital.
Taxation Stops Development.
The mining companies have always
sought to conserve the iron ore de-
posits of this state, and have spent a
great deal of money to develop low
grade deposits and have made some
Roadway in that direction. But this
development has been almost entirely
stopped on account of IN excessive
taxation policy, i~naugurated by the
state, making it necessary thai the
mining operators close up their low
grade properties and abandon fur
ther efforts to convert low grade ores
into a merchantable product. In
many cases leases were surrendered
and underground mines abandoned,
at a great financial loss to the COM
panies operating in this state. Before
this policy of excessive taxation was
i~naugurated, a vast amount of drilling
was carried on, to develop new ore
bodies. But since these enormous
taxes have been imposed, drilling upon
the iron ranges has almost entirely
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21

value of it's product for taxes than
does any other industry in the United
States. The proof of this may be
found in the reports of the Income
Tax Division of the Federal govern
ment, which show that all industry
and trade in the United States pays
1.4% of it's gross return for state and
local taxes; that agriculture pays
2.5%, manufacturing less than 1%,
general mining and quarrying 2.4&,
while the iron mining industry in
Minnesota pays nine times this latter
amount. The records show that for
the six years from 1921 to 1926 inclu-
Sive, the ordinary average tax on the
mines equals upwards of Gle per ton
of ore shipped, which would amount
to around 20% or one-fifth of the
value of the product. In addition to
that, the industry had to pay the ocu-
patton and royalty taxes. 1t is safe
to say that if any of you who are pres
ent at this gathering were compelled
to pay out in taxes one-f1fth of the
value of your products, you would
either move from the state of Minnie
sofa or demand the abolition of such
unjust tax laws.
EAA1 CAdiilR1C Vi "l1dG ChCcSSlVc TAXA
ton will do is the deplorable condi-
ton of the timber industry on the
Pacific coast at the present time,
where taxation has become so great
in many instances that timber owners
are compelled to sacrifice and rush
to market the best of the timber, in
order to pay expenses, which results
in the natural resource being largely
l. 6OSfr0Ial itncfaoI ~ ha,~-
and so prolonging its life.
Fundamentally, the people of this
state, and especially of st. Louis,
1taSca and Crow Wing counties, must
realize the Importance to the state and
to its trust funds, as well as to it's
industrial life, of the ore mining in
dustry. In 1900 the United States is
reported to have used only five pounds
OF iron and steel per person, which
had increased by 1900 to about 325
pounds, while at the present time it
is nearly three times the latter figure.
Therefore, with such an increasing de-
mand, are we of northern Minnesota
going to sit idly by and see the chief
industry of this state, second only to
the great agricultural industry, ham,
pered and its life greatly shortened by
Vic CildCllllcllG VI uIlWlSc leSlSldClOQ
by the state and other units of govern
ment?
To stimulate activity in the mining
industry, we can all help to create a
sentiment that the legislature and all
taxing units should treat this indus
try fairly. The coming legislature will
have many problems to consider, but
1 believe there is no question that is
deserving of greater or more careful
attention than to work out some plan
that will relieve the mining industry
from this enormous burden of taxa
ton and keep this as a continuing
industry, for the benefit of all other
occupations in Minnesota. Any in
fuence that you can bring to bear
upon your legislators and my senti-
ment that you can create will help to
bring about a lessening of thia burden
OF taxation and therefore a stimula-
ton of this and all associated indus
tries.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21

Miss Maryn Jones is leaving today
for Two Harbors for the holidays. :
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21

ceased, and the operators, in order to
exist at all, have been compelled to
confine their mining to the highest
grade and most easily worked deposits.
The reason that further exploration
has practically stopped largely is be-
cause if a body of ore is shown up,
taxation makes it impossible to carry
it, unless it is of the highest grade,
easily mined and in immediate de-
mand.
Active Minnesota Mines Decrease.
About eight years ago, iron ore IN
Minnesota was produced from $50
mines. Today less than 100 are in
operation. Between 1910 and 1920
there were more than Is, 900 men m
ployed in the mines of st. Louis coun-
ty, while today there are only about
5000 so employed. While the intro
duction of modern machinery and i'm
proved methods are responsible for
some of this decline in employment,
yet the major factor responsible for
this decline, I think, is the present
tax policy of the state of Minnesota;
and when I speak of the state of Min
nesota, I mean, of course, to include
all subsidiary units of government.
Taxes Exceed Cost of Mining.
On page 81 of the 1926 Biennial Re-
port of the Minnesota Tax Commits
sion, it is shown that for the five years
from 1921 to 1925 the taxes upon the
mining industry amounted to $113,-
309,3 90, and on page loo. of the same
report, it appears that the total min
ing costs for the same period were
SIP, 167, 283. So that, according to the
Minnesota Tax Commissions own
statement, the taxes paid by the min
ing industry during these five years
were upwards of one million dollars
in excess of the aggregate of all wages
paid, all costs of blasting powder,
timber, coal, supplies of all sorts, and
everything that goes into mining costs
as determined by the Tax Commits
sion. The same report, from page 81
to page los, shows that for the years
from 1928 to 1925 the taxes paid by
the mining industry are about 5000
more than all the wages paid for labor
in the industry.
The state has placed iron ore in the
highest classification, for it is valued
for taxation at 500 of its true and full
value, while all other property in the
state is on a much lower valuation,
iron ore being taken at $3.50 higher
valuation than the next highest class
of property, which is plated real
estate, and 500 higher than farm
lands. To. this high classification the
state has added the occupation tax
and has singled out the iron ore in
dustry as the only industry within the
state to which to apply an occupation
tax. Then, too, by a recent decision
of u State Supreme Court, which the
Supreme Court of the United States
just this month affirmed, a further
burden has been added to the opera
tors of the mines, by forcing the
operators to pay a royalty tax, which
the legislature enacted and intended
to reach the fee owners or receivrs of
royalty. Therefore, is there any won
der that there is a business depression
on the iron ranges and a depressed
agricultural market for the farms of
st. Louis county?
Ratio of Taxes to Value of Product.
The iron mining industry of Mime
sofa pays a larger proportion of the
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21
ONE OF THE BEST
EVER GIVEN HERE
CONCERT BY PROF. OTTO F.
SCHACHT AND HIS ARROWHEAD
SINGERS PRONOUNCED AS ONE
OF THE FINEST MUSICAL

The Washington Auditorium was
comfortably filled on Sunday after
noon on the occasion of the Schubert
and Christmas program presented by
the Arrowhead Singers under the di-
rection of Prof. Otto F. Schacht. The
concert had been sponsored by fifty OF
the business houses of the city and
the Ely Commercial Club.
The program had been selected with
a view of furnishing the best in both
chorus and solo work. 1t was made up
of several of Schubert'S best numbers
and also a fine selection of Christmas
numbers. The audience was enthusi-
astic and showed their pleasure by I'm
stinted applause.
Enough cannot be said of the chorus
work. Prof. Schacht had a chorus Sun
day that was exceptionally well bal
anced. The bass and tenor section vas
just right and the soprano and altos
had magnificent support in the diff
cult numbers making up the program.
The sopranos ard altos were all local
people while the tenorS and BASES
were composed of singers from Duluth,
Ely, Eveleth, Virginia and Tower.
The ever popular favorite, Mdme.
SameS-Schacht, as usual capivated
the audience with her solo numbers.
Mrs. George of Duluth who was list
ed as playing flute obligatos for Mrs.
Schacht was unable to be present on
account of having developed a case of
flu at the eleventh hour. This is to be
regretted as Mrs. George is a musician
OF ability and her accomplishments
much sought.
No less pleasing than the numbers
presented by Mrs. Schacht was the solo
work of Prof. Schacht. Later he led
the aSsemblage in singing Christmas
songs and his leadership served as an
inspiration to the audience. The
browning event of the program were
the duet numbers presented by Prof.
and Mdme. Schacht.
Last but not least, it is our pleasure
to again attest to the excellence of
Mrs. H. N. Sutherland as accompanies.
+ Her excellent work at the piano, in a
large measure, furnished the incentive
for the excellence of the program.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21
ELY TRIMS VIRGINIA
LOSES To GILBERT

The Ely High School football squad
went to Virginia Friday evening and
returned with a win in a hard fought
game. The Virginia sport writer had
the following to say of the game:
Tying the score within the last Is
seconds of play, and then running up
5 points at the start of an extra period,
the Ely high school basket ball team
defeated the Virginia high quint %
to 26, here tonight in n of the fast
est contests ever seen on a local floor.
Nip and tuck from the very start,
the game was not decided until the
final gun had sounded, with first Vir-
GINA holding the lead and then Ely.
The Queen City lads gradually over
came a small lead with less than 3
minutes to play, and then scored an
other basket to take the advantage.
Two fouls, one personal and one tech
nical coming in quick order with less
than a minute left, gave Ely the
chance to even the count and force the
contest into IN extra period.
"CloSe officiating resulted in nu-
merouS fouls and two Virginia players
were banished from the floor on four
personals. In the last quarter and the
extra period however, the tilt got out
of the control of the officials and be-
came unusually rough"
Saturday evening before a large
crowd, the Gilbert team took a fast
game from the Ely boys. Ely took the
lead from the start and at the end of
the first half were several points to
the good.
The second half changed the scoring
to the other side. Owing to the Cruel
ling game put up at Virginia the
night before, the Ely team seemed
tired out in the last half allowing
Gilbert to score almost at will.
This is the first upset the Ely boys
have suffered for the season and would
not have had it, had they not been
tired out from the winning before.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21
(Skillings Mining Review.

GSKllllngS Mining REVIEW.
Edward j. Nancy of Duluth, general
manager of mines for the Shenango
Furnace Company, delivered an adj
dress by invitation before the st. Louis
| County Club, at it's annual meeting
in Duluth Friday, December z, in
which he pointed out in an interesting
manner the great injustice of the tax
burdens which the State of Mime
| sofa has heaped upon the iron mining
industry, and it's hurtful economic re-
suits to the mining regions and to the
state at large. Following is approx
mately the full text of Mr.. Maney's
address:
The iron ore deposits of Minnesota
constitute one of its great natural re-
sources and, if properly conserved and
if the mining is guided by a sane and
wise policy of taxation and encourage
ment, will last for many generations.
The state of Minnesota itself Is a large
fee owner in iron ore properties, in
fact owning about one-tenth of the
known merchantable ore now proved
up. From iron ore deposits and the
taxes thereon, there have been added
to the trust funds of the state more
than twenty-three million dollars, and
Minnesota today has a larger amount
of trust funds than any state in the
Union, with the possible exception of
Texas.
These trust funds are the heritage
of the children of Minnesota and
should grow in future years, if the
iron ore industry is permitted to pros
per and if it is encouraged by a wise
and just state policy.
State a Large Iron Ore Owner.
The latest reports of our state Off
Gals show that there are SO state
leases on state owned deposits. The
state owns, in addition, enormous de-
posits of low grade ores, which if wise
ly administered under a sane state
policy of taxation and encouragement,
should net the trust funds of the state
many millions of dollars. I am reli-
ably informed that there is one block
of school lands belonging to the state
which contains over 150, 000, 900 tons OF
low grade ores. You and I, and
every citizen of this state, have an in
terest in the proper development of
these deposits and their ultimate value
to these state trust funds.
In northwestern Minnesota, which
includes our W county of st. Louis,
more than 10000 people are largely
dependent for their livelihood upon
the iron ore industry, and vast
amounts of capital are invested in
their industry. Not only are st. Louis,
Itasca and Crow Wing counties af-
fected by an unjust taxation policy
on the iron ore industry, but the in
dustrial activity of the entire state of
Minnesota and the middle west is
likewise involved. 1t is said that more
than three-fourths of the industrial
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21
ELY REVIEW NO. 81,
w. b. A. ELECT OFFICERS.

The following officers for Ely Re-
view No. 81, were elected at the last
meeting of the Review.
President-Mary Spreitzer
Vice President-Alice Mcfarland.
Past PreSident-Celina Winchell.
Financial Secretary-G enevieve
BONNER.
Recording Secretary-Helen jackson.
Press Correspondent-Emma Mora
vitz.
Chaplain-Caroline Quigley.
l. OF Cermonies-Theresa Gouze.
Sergeant-LouiSe Ludtke.
Inner HosteSs-Emily Smith.
Outer Hostess-Mary Berglund.
Installation will take place at the
meeting in January.
Miss Maryn Jones is leaving today
Tor Two Harbors for the holidays. -
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21

the poor in Ely with Christmas
baskets.
Christmas cards are being distribu-
ted in the schools and every young
ster of school age up through the
eighth grade will have his card telling
about the visit of Santa Claus and
telling them where and when to turn
out for him. Children under school
age will head the line when the pack
ages are given. out.
The Schools are closing Friday noon
and Christmas programs are in order.
The White Iron School and the Sec
ton Thirty School will give their pro-
grams Thursday evening and the Win
ton Schools and the Savoy Location
School will have their programs Fri
day morning.
Packages of candy and nuts will be
taken to these schools by Ine Commun-
ity Service Center as it will be i'm
possible for the children from out there
to be here Christmas Eve.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21
SANTA CLAUS SAYS
He WILL Be HERE
Old Santa Claus will again

VIII again stop over
in Ely for a few hours
Monday afternoon at
four o'clock at which
time packages of candy
and nuts will be given
TO the children at the
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21

Community Service Center.
The City has arranged with the
School for the program and a large
Community Tree has already been put
up in front Of the building.
Members of the American Legion
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21

have been busy on ar
rangements and every
thing is ready for old
Santa's appearance,
Monday. The American
Legion Auxiliary
Chorus will be out to
sing Christmas songs
during the evening and
will go around with
Santa to the hospitals
and to the homes OF
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-21

Continued on page FOUR
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-09
The Stars Say
For Thursday, May 10.
Nv CENEyIEVE KEMBLE

A. LIVELY and interesting day
IN is forecast from the prevailing
AA lunar and mutual aspects. es-
peciaIly for those In the employment
OF others and for those having hopes
from those in places or power. II is
time to approach these for favors
or advancement, II qualified by dili-
Gence and perseverance. Labor should
bring reward but the finances call
for protection. Shun speculation.
although the proclfvities will be to-
ward action. Personal affairs may
sensational angles.
Those whose birthday IL Is may
expect a yea OF advancement or
preferment II IN the employment OF
others or II seeking favors or honors
from those IN authority. Diligence
and application may expect recogni-
ton. Finances should not be leopard
lied. Personal affairs may assume
sensational or unconventional angles.
A child born on this day should be
talented. capable and diligent and
should succeed well IN employment
or in places OF trust
A time uiH come Irhen all TiH
knoU Just Uhy the storms and
breezes blop.-Beers.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-09
Backward Children-HOw Come They So:

Other remediable physical causes
for r~etardation are bad teeth. NAL
nutrition. heart and kidney troubles.
eye strains OF various kinds. ricketts,.
and disturbances OF the glands OF tn
ternal ~secretions such as the thyroid
gland the thymus gland. the pitu-
itary gland. etc.
Among functional defects that
may be mentioned in this connection
are chorea (St. vitus's dance). other
habit spasms and twitchings. speech
defects in all their varieties. a nerv-
Gus and high-strung emotional make
up.
A backward child may. indeed. be
a defective child. a feeble-minded one.
Still. one should never Jump to
conclusions. The child may merely
be held back because OF = cause that
can readily be remedied.
II. therefore. your child Is not up
to par mentally and e~motionally be-
gin at once to search for possible
causes.
Find the slowing-up brake that Is
stopping the mental machinery from
doing the best performances Of which
1t Is really capable. As guardians
Of their well-being there is no duty
more important.
Copyright Is2s. Newspaper Feature ezvice Ino
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-09
Emberss .z asssas'ns s .; We e.

Princess Olina and Mary Harrison Under the Same Roof
Blu Turn of Fate.

tence for her coming here. But It Is
impossible for me to tell you the real
reason now. j am only giving you
this hint SO hat you viii know how
important IL Is that we all act as
usual, and do not betray any knowl-
edge that she Is here for any other
reason than the one which we shall
give out. I rely on you to give Mr..
George Logan Jackson the impress
sion that she Is here simply because
OF her aunt's transfer to the hos
pital."
loosened my arms. and she
stepped back. her lovely eyes search
ing my face.
"IIi bet there's u whole movie
thriller concealed about you. Auntie
Madge." she said at last. but I don't
care. I'll play your game. Only
please don't have either Noel or
George hanging around any more
than you can help. Boys are an
awful nuisance when there's any
thing important on hand"
My heart ached at her bravely
flippant attempt TO conceal the
misery which ! guessed was her
portion in these days.
II already have thought OF that.
Mary" I said, and then Lillian's
knock sounded on the door. ana
Mary comprehendingly hurried put.
Lillian locked the door behind her
and sank into the nearest chair as II
utterly spent
Blessed IS youth" she apostro
phized. You've worked harder than
I have, and you look as fresh as i've
little daisies-count 'em-five- Il see
you have the lady safely tucked
away in the guest room with a
don't disturb sign or her door.
she needs IT," I returned. she's
been through a good deal today. M
she really was wonderful at the
revelation, which must have DIS
tressed her sorely. Did you get hold
OF Dicky?"
Eyes. after hours OF wrestling with
long distance. He's catching the
first train home. I couldn't ell him
the truth or course. and h surely ~
IN IN the air at my ambiguous sum-
I don't know whether he
imagdnes you've eloped with Jim or
Katie's suing him for breach OF
promise. But he's winging his way
through the upper ether into which,
Incidentally. old Phil has assembled
since r gave him an inkling OF what
An M. He's I'm the library now. de-
handing to see you. Better go down
and see IL you can calm his troubled
spirit"
Copyright 1873. Newspaper Feature ssrvies. Inc.