The Redwood gazette., 1932-02-11

to be little to worry about from that source with the
public mind thoroughly opposed to present tax
rates as it now is.
Perhaps word about the organization of the tax
league will prove interesting to readers.
Tax reduction organizations have become popular
in recent years. many county groups having been form
ed for political purposes and otherwise Apparently,
however, the state association in question con-
ceived in the Twin Cities spread from there to Duluth
then to st. Cloud Winona and smaller cities and now
to the strictly agricultural counties
The writer happened to be in Winona when the
Winona county subsidiary of the present state
ciation was formed. tax league composed of farm
organized to promote the candidacy OF the now
famous Mat Wagner, Winona mayor, who was ousted
for violation of the corrupt practices act several
counts already existed Wagner at the time of its
organization aspred to seat in the state senate.
Did the state association affiliate with the group
of sincere farmers in the league who by that time were
rid of Wagner? It did not. Instead it interested
era manufacturers who rated In the millionaire
class and called meeting of members of civic clubs
of the city, all in the monied class. Newspaper
asked to give the meetings publicity. Several
meetings held without single invitation being
extended to dirt farmer
Then when the organization perfected and
began probe into city and county affairs, farmers
became welcome at the meetings. Publicity more
than welcome, but far learn, income tax
discussions avoided at the open meetings.
T,
found fuel for its attack when prominent manufact-
and officer of the state association declared in
answering the question of funds, at isn't costing the
farmers anything to organize these associations the
money is coming from sources where it is relatively
easy to get"
The desirability of an income tax is open ques-
ton but since is tax question: definite stand should
be taken the subject by the association Farmers
then free join not according to their opinion
There then possibility that they contributing
support and perhaps money to fight which they
may be vitality interested in supporting.
It perhaps unappreciative to look for Interior
motive in the interest city interests taking in
duction of school, township and county taxes out here
where they bear share of the burden other than
what supplementary aid the state gives when rural
section adds department to its school or takes
similar steps toward public betterment.
However, by reductions in local taxes the farm
ing become better able to bear the state
ments and the necessity of state income tax to be
paid largely by city residents, is lessened The sup
Elementary aid mentioned above also shrinks when
rural section decides to economic in school depart
ments and similar ncdentals It is quite obvious that
a little cash spent for this tax education" pro-
gram may the spenders considerable in later
years.
Local economies deprive the residents here of
service, public improvement other betterment
that they would otherwise have had Have like at
tempts been made to reduce city budgets and have they
been successful?
1t is not the intention of this article discredt
in any way the work planned accomplished by the
county organization. There is real need for tax
alysis and suggestions. BY running many farmers by
taxation government bodies have proved that they
must be watched and guided lest they spend too reck
lessly Educational work done by the county group is
extremely valuable for well informed public is
guarantee of proper government.
In affliation with the state group the county
ganization chances for real accomplishments. To-
gether they could work the best good of the state
but when metropolitan money undertakes campaign
of this nature in rural section, there is to be
careful Minnesota farmers have been fooled too many
times not to see the wisdom of caution.
Mr.. Reed and his hackers can do real work in
searching out government waste and exposing but
if the underlying purpose of their organization is to
maintain unfair tax land practically unproduc-
tive of wealth at.the present tme the rural communi
ties will do well to bark with more sincere company.
- = 80
Northwest Milk and Money
THE following picture of the Northwest farm sit
uaton is reprinted from the New York Times.
While the northwest may well be thankful in
comparison with most other sections, this editorial is
hardly in agreement with facts presented at the tax
meeting here last week and it does not account for the
number of farm mortgages in process of foreclosure
because of low returns farm properties. In COM
putting the increase in value of products the writer has
not taken into account increased investments in farm
land and machinery higher taxes, higher prices paid
for labor and increase in state population of
100000 persons from 1910 to $780, many of whom
farm residents.
The editorial reads: Eleven years ago Mr. Fred
erick Murphy, successful farmer just become pub
Usher of The Minneapolis Tribune, to his office
resolved put into practice certain ideas which had
grown up in his mind from three years vacation