Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-01-14
BADGER CHIEF
HEARD ON AIR
Governor Philip LaFollette
of Wisconsin Tells of Re-
lief Program.
Propos es Unemployment
Relief Through a Gradu-
ated Income Tax.
BY H. G.. TEIGAN

| BY H. G. TEIGAN
Governor Philip LaFollette of Wis
consin, spoke over WCCO and WEBC,
Duluth, from the formers studios in
the Nicollet Hotel, Sunday evening,
in support of his program for unem-
ployment relief and for the financing
of such relief by increased taxes on
incomes.
The governor addressed his talk
primarily to the people of Northern
and Western Wisconsin, 1t appears
that the facilities of WCCO were do
mated to the Wisconsin executive to
present his message to the people,
inasmuch as the legislature which
was convened in special session at
Madison about six weeks ago has
seen fit to oppose the governors pro-
gram and to plan placing the tax
burden required to support the re-
| lief program on to the shoulders of
the property owners of the state.
Problem Distribution of Money.
Governor LaFollette said at the out
set that the problem of distribution
o. money" is the thing to be solved.
THE cause of the depression is the
inability of the masses to buy their
necessities of life" he said. my pro-
gram is to appropriate S12,OO0,0O0
more in 1892 and 1888 than in the
preceding years to be used in bringing
relief to unemployed families of the
state of Wisconsin,
He stated that approximately $4,000
| families in Wisconsin, representing a
quarter of million of men, women
and children, are now getting relief
| through some public or private
agency. In Milwaukee there are now,
he said, 2O,S0S families receiving aid
and there is similar percentage of
needy persons receiving aid in other
cities of the state.
Unemployment Tremendous.
| "One-fourth of the industrial work
ers of Wisconsin are without work.
he said. I'm September it was esti-
mated that there would be approx
mately $4,000 families who would need
help during the winter months. On
December 80, reports from 25 cities,
counties and villages indicated that
the number had risen to $4,000, thus
exceeding the estimates by 10000.
Our program of relief is cOnserva-
tive. This program was submitted
in a message to the legislature when
it convened in special session about
six weeks ago. The legislature has
not adopted single measure to solve
this problem. On the other hand OBJ
structionary measures have been re-
sorted to to prevent passage of the bills
to carry out my relief program.
Who Is To Pay!
who is to pay the bill? We must
face concrete facts. All aid for the
needy today comes from taxes upon
property. Our program is to have
relief provided through a graduated
income tax. If this program is en-
acted into law, 1000 persons in the
state of Wisconsin will provide &c per
cent of the money for the aid re-
quired.
'The cost of the depression must be
paid. Either it will be paid by farm
owners, and small business men, or
| II Will pC pau w IuOoO WIN dI e dUiC
to pay"
The young Wisconsin governor then
proceeded to show that it was up to
the state to provide this aid through
legislation, otherwise the burden must
of necessity fall upon property owners.
Local political subdivisions have no,
alternative, but provide funds through
the property tax. While the state,
with the right to impose taxes upon
incomes can tax those who are able
to bear the burden and who are the
beneficiaries of the present economic
system.
A Capable Governor.
1t is evident that Wisconsin has a
capable and courageous governor and
one who takes his obligations serious
| ~. In his attempt to make the rich
bear the burden of financing his re-
lief program, Governor LaFollette has
taken a stand that requires more than
ordinary courage.
Governor Floyd B. Olson introduced
the Wisconsin governor and said in
his brief Introductory talk that Mime
sofa had in contemplation program
that might require legislation of the
sort similar to that which is being
resorted to in the Badger state
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