The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-09-04
(Official City, state and County
Newspaper
Foreign Representatives
SMALL. SPENCER, LEV1NGS
& BREWER
Uncorporated)
CHICAGO NEW YORK BC9"Ct
Taxes and Capital

CHICAGO NEW YORK BCGs"ON
Taxes and Capital
The Bismarck Tribune IS Tn re-
ceipt of a very commendable trade
edition Of the Mobile Register, Ala
bama, on the occasion Of the COM
pletion Of a ten million dollar port.
An outstanding feature Of the news
papers effort is the attitude 1t re-
fleets toward capital. An entire
page is devoted to an appeal to cap
ital to cast its lot in this city and
the guaranty Is fifteen year tax ex-
emption.
It is not the intention here to praise
OF condemn Mobiles action. It prob
ably knows its own business best, but
the significant fact is that many in
dustries are moving south Of the
Mason Dixon line because of the tax
situation. Many northern cities have
been taxing capital and industry to
death and in some instances capital
is going where it Is being treated
best. That Is only natural.
North Dakota has some very bur-
densome and onerous tax regulations.
The present administration, which, on
the hustings, mouths and declaims
about cutting taxation, does nothing
when once it hoodwinks the voters.
Fresh taxes and higher yaluati9l1s
continue to harass capital and in
dustry, farmer and city folk alike. in
this state. One has only to stand on
the side lines and hear the comments
upon the administration of our state
tax laws under Gov. Shafer. To cre-
ate more commissions and to provide
jobs for his needy henchmen fresh
burdens are being heaped upon the
people Of this state. Millions of dol
lars OF capital which would have come
to this state find location near "
borders but shun North Dakota be-
cause of laws which tax them beyond
the power to pay.
The I. v. A. faction won two cleo
tons upon promise to abate the evil.
In the last legislative session. Gov.
Shafer had a working majority in
both houses. Nothing was done 20
temper the wind to the tax shorn.
He was too busy building senatorial
fences and seeking to placate an el.-
ment which has nothing in mind but
to keep the political crib full Of prov
ender.
Mobiles attitude is different and
its spirit might well be practiced in
this state.
Here, the state of Alabama
has erected a ten-million-dollar
rail and water freight docks and
has equipped 1t with every pos
Sible convenience for the instant
dispatch Of incoming and out
going cargo, and at a minimum Of
cost 70 the shipper.
aside from this compelling
feature. Mobile County, by a re-
cent act Of the Legislature, can
now offer your new plant a fif-
teen-year tax exemption! Think
Of that-a saving right in the be-
ginning Of a possible million
dollars! This alone is as convinc-
Ing as 1t could be profitable to
you that Mobile County citizens
do believe that Mobile County
offers the manufacturer an ex-
cessive portion Of those things
which 60 to make ideal manufac-
turing conditions"
\ X
Some honest but futile attempt,
were made last winter during thu
session Of the legislature to correc'
conditions which each year grow NOR
burdensome. The faction which
msnipulates politics in this state hat
control in most things. but not a stsl
was taken to give the people relic
SO often promised by those who. on tn
musings. wave the red flag and or.
bolshevisrn. Bell ; wether Twichel
Of Fargo "a too busy paying off pc
litical obligations. and venting per
sonal spleen to try craftsmanship
Once in office the I. v. A. squeeze tn,
public exchequer for more taxes tina,
tho faction they always are berating
There are many surface indications
however, that the SNUG, w~isecrackine
sophomoric speeches Of our meander
ing Chief Executive are not goin,
Gown Is easily as Of yore. The PEG
pie Of the state are asking less orator,
and more action.
=
IA today,s mail comes the news Q
tn banding together Of 400 McLea
county taxpayers who have forme
= non-political association to dscIa