Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-04-16

look the big things. The railroads
are not private business. The courts
have held that it is quasi-public bust
ness.
Inasmuch as railroads are glad to
have freight rates and passenger rates
set by the government they should
also be glad to conform to some regu-
lation by the Railroad and Warehouse
Commission representing the public
1t was also brought out that the rail
roads showed greater earnings in 1923
than in 1920. Representative John E
Regain of Mankato, argued that the
bill was simply one to protect human
life.
Gas Tax Raise Killed.
Attempts to raise the gasoline tax
for road purposes from Sc to &c per
gallon were showed under by a vote
of 90 against the measure and 35 for
it in the House. Apparently most OF
the members were of the opinion that
this is no time to create more taxes.
Proponents labored hard to secure the
1c increase, arguing that it would
make for more money to the county
aid roads, which is true, but the money
is not gotten out of the air and must
be paid by somebody. If the addi-
tional money was so easily secured
the gas tax might as well be sc or &c.
1t is soon enough to increase the gaso-
line tax when the license tax is low
cred.
In one of the appropriation meas
ures providing for the salaries of state
officers and other expenses was also
an item calling for an expenditure OF
$4S, 900 for the arsenal at the military
camp near Little Falls This was OBJ
jected to by Representative Stockwell,
but in the furry the amendment that
he proposed was not acted upon.
However, on general principles some
of the members who are strong for
peace and against militarism voted
against the entire bill.
The initiative and referendum bill
was voted down in the Senate this
week.
The reapportionment bill reducing
the number of congressional districts
in Minnesota from ten to nine is re-
ceiving much attention in both houses
this week. Bills have been passed in
both the House and Senate and con-
ference committee is now attempting
to iron out the differences. Both
plans place Pine county in the Sixth
district.
A bill asking for a constitutional
amendment to be voted on in 1882 for
the taxing of rural credits lands held
by the state on account of mortgage
foreclosures, was passed by the House.
Evading Taxes.
Legislation giving cities and NUM-
cipalities the right to appeal to the
courts regarding assessments of prop
critics which supposedly are valued
too low is under consideration and
there is much discussion on the mat
ter pro and con. Charges have been
made that the United States Steel Cor
poration and the iron mining COM
panies have escaped millions of dol
lars taxation and that the South st.
Paul packing plant is also assessed
too low. Senator George H. Lommen
of Eveleth, claims that the iron ore
companies through too low valuations
of their properties have been able to
save one hundred and twenty-five mil
lion dollars in the last twenty years
(this including accrued interest at
4%). Mr. Wallace, the new tax COM
missioner, recommended that this bill
pass, as has also Governor Floyd B.
Olson in a public statement. The
under-valuations is a method to shift
a part of the burden of taxation on to
shoulders less able to bear the load.
The big companies are participating
in the profits of our country and
should bear a greater part of their
just burden. Governor Olson and Mr.
Wallace are right on this proposition
which is naturally meeting with oppo-
sition.