The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-03-19
GOVERNOR TOOFFER
|. Y. A. CONVENTION
OLD MILL
Wants Plank in Platform fol
Commission to Operate It;
Also OIeo and Gas Tax
GOVERNMENT SURVEY, TOO
Will Propose Fiscal Survey OF
Village, Township and
County Units

TO the i. ". "A. convention dt ITdllO
Forks with the backing Of the Shafer
administration, according to infor-
nation current in political circles
here.
They are, in order, a sales tax on
oleomargarine, as asked by the states
dairy industry; approval OF the four
cent gasoline tax to replace the
three -cent tax now effective: proposal
for a governmental survey commits
sion to investigate the workings OF all
units of government, from township
to state: and a commission to operate
the state mill and elevator.
OF the four suggested planks all but
the gasoline tax proposal were defeat
cd at the 1929 legislative session. At
that time, however, the sales tax on
oleomargarine did not have the par
tisan support of any political faction.
The mill commission and government
tai survey commission measures were
beaten in the senate. controlled by
the Nonpartisans.
Expects Endorsement
Regarding tax on butter substitutes
and the gasoline tax, the governor al
ready has taken a strong stand and it
is no secret that he expects the 1nde-
pendent convention to endorse them
in it's platform. The other two ideas
we're endorsed in his message to the
legislature in 1929 and the governor
has not seen any reason to change
his mind since that time, according
to the best available information.
The job Of the governmental survey
commission, as outlined by the gov
ernor early last year. would be to in
vestigate the workings of various
units of government, particularly as
regards their finances. Only by first
getting all of the available facts can
any comprehensive program OF tax
reduction be outlined. the governor
said at that time. The survey would
include township. county, village, city.
school and drainage district and
county organizations as we'll as the
state situation. the governor said at
that time. since it is in the local tax
ing districts that most OF the public
money is spent. After a competent
commission has investigated current
practices and the law governing them,
the governor is known to believe, it
would be in better position to advise
the legislature IS to possible ways OF
cutting taxes. Reduction of property
taxes is known to be one of the prin-
cipal aims of the executive. He has
made no secret that he is in favor of
other taxes, such as that on gasoline.
to reduce the impost on property. 1t
is this idea which is expected to be
presented to the I. v. A. convention.
Commission Previously Beaten
Rumor current in capitol circles is
that the governor will recommend en-
dorsement Of a commission to operate
the mill and elevator over the opposi-
ton of some Of his close advisers.
These are known to feel that a record
was made by the mill in 1929 under
Skaters management and that this
is a political asset which should not
be weakened by any suggestion that
1T be turned over to a commission.
The governor is reported to have
answered this argument with the
same mes presented to the legislature
in 1929. These were that the man
agement Of a mill, located more than
200 miles from the state capital,
should be no part Of a governors du-
ties and that a commission would in
sure a more stable policy Of manage
ment than could be expected if the
job of mill manager continues to rest
with the governor, who must run for
election every two years. The plan
proposed at the last session was to
create a commission of three persons.
Whatever talking is done for the
Shafer administration at the conven-
ton will be done by the governor
himself. He will have no spokesman
but will himself be present as will
most of the other Independents hold
ing state offices.
Other Candidates.
All of the latter are candidates for
ithe convention endorsement and, so
liar as is known here. there will be
little opposition. It is expected in
some circles that the name Of John
HUSKY, former dairy commissioner,
will be offered as an opponent for ].
IA. Kitchen for the endorsement as
commissioner Of agriculture and la
Dor.
HUSKY formerly worked under
Kitchen. but resigned after a dis
agreement in 1928. He has been ac-
tive in the movement to organize
small cooperative creameries through
out the state and now operates q
creamery at Finley.
The only other I. v. A. endorsee of
1928 who appears liable to encounter
in the convention is Miss
.lIl HHE