The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-02-01

we submit that q per cent is a
most unusual and most tremendous
portion of the total tax paid by an
industry or by a certain form of prop
erty-a most unusual and most tre-
mendouS portion to be claimed by
the state
in Minnesota to the state is less than
10 per cent of the total tax paid. Yet
in the case Of iron ore the state re-
ceives 81 per cent or about three times
as much as it receives from other
property"
Propaganda is being printed in these
papers by the ton since the first of the
year or since the legislature has been
in session Every day news articles
and editorials have been printed in st.
Paul and Minneapolis on the overtax-
alton Of the iron ore industry and
each and every article declares that
the range communities should furnish
the relief demanded. There is no
doubt in our minds that the range
communities are perfectly willing to
furnish q share of the relief but in
the face of the q per cent collected
by the state, which it is expected to
keep, why should the ranges do all
the relieving? Representative Hitch
cock further says:
.Al the arguments totally ignore
the basic fact that the present ad
valorem rate of so per cent of the true
and full value of iron ore was fixed
by the state as an additional or super
tax to the state, under the muchly
voiced heritage theory.
When the state made this special
assessment it got all that it was en-
titled to. It got then from the iron
ore industry more than it got from
other property. But its greed was in
satiable. It demanded a tonnage tax,
or a second super-tax. It finally got
it in the form of the occupation tax
Was the state then satisfied? Far
from it. It had tasted blood and it
demanded more. It piled on third
super-tax, the royalty tax"
Mining interests and communities
on the iron ranges must get together
to secure iron ore tax relief during
the present session of the state leg
| stature, Fred D. vibert, executive di-
rector of the Minnesota Arrowhead
association, declared on his return
from ST. Paul, where he appeared be-
| fore several committees and addressed
| the interim commission on taxation
at an open session In the house
chamber.
Members of the state legislature
are now generally agreed that the
iron mining country is entitled to re-
| lief, and favorable legislation may be
expected during this session. said Mr..
Vibert. However, the present con-
| troversy as to the method of relief
is muddling up the entire matter and
may prevent definite action All fac
tons should get together Immediately
and present united program to the
| legislature
Mr.. Vibert, who has taken leading
part IN the general movement to
bring about relief for the iron ore
industry, pointed out that the Ar
| rowhead association is not interested
in any particular legislation, but solely
IN the effort to revive mining activity
| IN Northern Minnesota.
I'VE viii not get very far this ses-
sion, If several factions present differ.
ent tax relief propositions, and mud
die up the entire program" he added
| Mr.. vibert appeared before severa
/ committees OF the house and senatt
last week and also addressed the in
term taxation committee at an oper
session to which all the members o.
the house were invited He also spokl
ON ore tax relief at the annual con
ventiou of the Northern Minnesot;
Editorial association at Sank Cente
last Thursday.