Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-02-11
BIG CROWD AT
TAX MEETING
CONTINUED from Page -


nesota but when the law was changed
so that moneys and credits were taxed
on flat rate of three mills or SO
per thousand dollars, it came out of
hiding, folks were more willing to
reveal their assets in moneys and
credits and the result was that it
now brings in about $13.O00,O00 in
taxes.
Lowering Homestead Assessments.
Land does not owe allegiance to
the government, said Mr.. Wallace, but
people do, and therefore taxes should
be assessed more ON ability to pay,
through the income tax. Governor
Floyd b. Olson believes in the people
owning their own homes, and has
therefore come forward with a plan
to cut the assessed value on home
steads one-third, the loss in tax reve-
nue. from this lowering of homestead
assessments to be made up from
state income tax. The farm home
stead consists of 80 acres and the
buildings. any acreage beyond that
would be assessed as formerly. The
village homestead is one acre or less
and the home.
Mr.. Wallace conveyed greetings to
the audience from the governor, when
S. B. Wells. Pine City, said yes, the
governor apprOpriates more money
and sends his regards" Mr.. Wallace
went on to show that the 1881 legis-
lature, though not more than a third
of its membership in sympathy with
the governors program. had author
lied less expenditures than the 1929
session, and that in other years dur
ing the past dozen years the state
mill rate had been higher than that
of 1881. Certificates of Indebtedness
must be included to figure up the total
expenditures of the state government
The iron ore tax and the gross earn
ings tax of railroads had fallen off
considerably and consequently that is
taken up by general property taxes.
The Bank Tax Situation.
The speaker said that instrumental
tiles of state government cannot be
taxed by the federal government and
vice versa, and if not for that the re-
suit might be disastrous. The states
could not tax national banks, but
later it was changed so that national
banks could be taxed by the states
only as money or property coming in
competition with said banks. That
would make a ridiculously low tax
on national banks compared with the
tax paid by state banks so the last
legislature authorized the Minnesota
Tax Commission to accept a $50 re-
ductiOn on the full assessed tax of
national banks and this reduction was
also granted to the state banks in
order to make the competition on an
equal basis. The national banks.
have, however, said the speaker, paid
their full assessed taxes in the past
years with but few exceptions. Until
congress changes the law the national
banks cannot be made to pay more
than a money and credits tax, but are
paying more under a gentleman's
agreement.
Chairman and Secretary Chosen.
After the address by the tax COM
missioner, J. J. Madden of Pine City,
was elected chairman of the meet
ing, and E. B. Greenwald, Finlayson,
was chosen secretary, and the discus
sion continued
Mr.. Madden began by giving a talk
on the monetary system, advocating
changes that should be made, and
said it is one of the most important
problems before the people today.
During the discussion it was
brought out by several persons that
unless a man is taxpayer he should
have no part in voting taxes; the low
prices paid for the farmers products
is what is hurting the most; a need
for more uniform wages to school
teachers, and other problems con-
fronting the taxpayer. Harry Hen
bricks of Danforth township, gave a
talk about game laws, fire wardens,
and the rights of the settler-his con-
stitutional rights u b j cts upon
which he has written several articles
in the Askov American and in which
he is deeply interested. He was given
a good hand at the conclusion of his
talk, indicating that many were in