The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-02-27

that the royalty tax superimposed on
the occupation tax makes it ten per-
cent now, that the iron ore industry is
paying into the state treasury each year
9h million dollars, almost one-fourth
of all state expenses, and that its
total tax is more than $22,000,000, one
fifth of all the taxes paid in Mime
sofa. The urgent need of the state
and prejudice against the steel trust"
rangers polled n and won for once.
Washing Their Linen.
At almost every session the iron
ranges bring down some of their dirty
linen to be Numbered at the capitol.
This year that linen is the serious
trouble that has grown out of the cele-
brated moving of the biggest of the
range towns, Hibbing, "the iron ore
capital of the world" a boast that is
not vain one, for within few miles
radius of the village hall of Hibbing
lies 40 percent of all the known mer-
charitable ore in Minnesota. South
Hibbing is the new Hibbing which the
company made, and it is now the main
city. North Hibbing, once the resi-
dence section of old Hibbing still re-
mains, but is dying, dying by inches.
The removal of Hibbing has inflicted
millions of dollars in losses upon the
property owners of old Hibping. Their
savings of many and have bankrupted
hundreds, driven some crazy and sent
numbers to their graves North Hib-
bling wants the mining company to pay
and this week it descended in force
upon the legislature pleading for the
justice it believes is its due. The min
ing company pleads that the decay and
ruin of old Hibbing is incidental to the
business of mining, and the courts
have thus far upheld it. For ten years
the contest has ragged with steadily in
creaSing bitterness, and Hibbing, in
vigorous fighting mood, now brings the
battle to the legislature.
A Veteran Fighter.
In connection with the fight for an
increase in the occupational tax on
iron ore, let us say word of Represen-
tative S. A. Stockwell, staunch and
sturdy, the loser of unnumbered bat
ties, foreman worthy of any mans
mettle. Mr. Stockwell is a veteran
legislator. He served in the house way
back in 1891 when they used to give
the members jacknives and other trim
kets, all of which Mr. Stockwell indig-
nantly refused. Many call him So
cialist and radical; he is these and
more; he believes himself, we think,
pioneer, confident that the causes he
now champions alone will one day be
universally accepted He pursues his
course steadfastly and with singleneSs
of purpose, often voting serenity alone.
He is one member of the legislature of
whom we think may justify say that
he undeviatingly voices and votes his
convictions. Men like that are rare
birds in any legislature.
Uplifters Score.
Last week the uplifters won a fam
Gus victorie" in the house. Lead by
Representative Henry Johnson of Hen
nepin they fought through the long
afternoon hours for the "five day wait
ing period" for all couples who are
conspiring to marry, and won. This
same five day waiting period proposal
has been beaten many times. A Ger
tain liberal element is vigorously OPP
posed, and the clerks of court are dead
against it. The clerks wired us that
all five day waiting period uplifters
are "fanatical" but we don't think
Representative Henry johnson is fan
atical. We have also found him sane
and sensible, and quite cautious in what
uplifting he has attempted. He made
a good fight for the bill and was ably