Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-04-13
HOUSE REDUCES.
Phone RATES
State is Redistricted, Truck
Tax, Safety Bill is
Passed.
Many Other Bills Being
Acted Upon as Law
Wheels Speed.
BY HJALMAR PETERSEN
REPRESENTATIVE from Pine Count

(Aprll 10 o
On Monday the House passed Dill
by Rep. George w. Johnson OF Du-
luth. that is of considerable impor-
lance to the entire state. 1t is bill
with real teeth in it-pertalnlng TO
the setting of telephone rates: 1t pro-
vides that after August /, 1888, one
party business lines shall cost not
more than $500 per month; two
party business lines, $3.50; one party
residence lines, $3.50; and two party
residence lines. $1.75 per month.
These rates are about 500 OF the
rates now charged by the telephone
companies in the larger cities OF the
state. The bill also provides for
changes in rates by the Railroad and
Warehouse Commission, the BODY
under whose jurisdiction the tele-
phone companies operate. The COM
missioner has the power to raise or
lower rates 1t will be up to the
telephone companies to prove that
the rates are too low, If not salts
factory to the company. The Dill
was passed in the House with good
majority but how it will fare in the
Senate is another question.
1t was brought out in the discus
sion that telephone rates in the larg-
er cities of Minnesota today are about
the same as in 1918 when commodity
prices were high and times were
good. 1t was also argued by Rep.
Stockwell of Minneapolis, that tele-
phone rates in the cities are eX-
horbitant, entirely out Of order, ana
that next to the power crowd the
telephone crowd is the best squeezer
of the public. He also said that they
have plenty of watered stock, and II
this were taken out of capital charges
the rates could be fair. Rep. john
son was given good support from the
Farmer-Laborites on his bill, ana
they give him no little credit for
sponsoring this important and far
reaching legislation.
Senate Takes Action.
The consolidated primary ballot
bill which was passed in the House
in the early part Of the session,
passed the Senate Friday with a
minor amendment. The vote was "a
to 26 in the Senate. The bill with
the amendment will of course be re-
passed in the House and the COVER
nor's signature is assured, it being
a plank in the Farmer-Labor plat
form. The bill makes it possible that
at primary elections the voters will
no longer be required to reveal their
party identity and it will therefore
make for more secrecy and less
coercion. Candidates for nomination
of each of the three political parties
or whatever number of political
parties may have candidates, will ap-
pear on the same sheet. Each voter
will be given the sheet or ballot con-
tanning tickets of each political party
His or her choice is then expressed
for the candidates desired to have
nominated on the party ballot ad
hered to.
The unemployment insurance bill
fell by the wayside in the House this
week with "a votes for it. The bill
lacked II votes of passing. A siren.
uOus campaign had been carried or
against the bill and the game of op
ponents was to say that they are fol
national unemployment insurance bu
not for a state law. In reality many
of those making such statements are
against all forms of unemployment
insurance.
Special Order Voted Down.
The bill raising the gross earning:
tax on railroads from Sc to 10 wa:
recommended for passage by the com
mittee on Taxes and Tax Laws tw,
or three weeks ago by. a vote of 1:
to 10. So many special orders have
been asked for and granted now b!
both House and Senate. that unless /;
bill gets a position on special orders
it has no chance of receiving fna
vote. Therefore special order wa!
asked on the gross earnings tax bill
Wednesday.
Seventy-three voted for and A
against it, so the special order wa
not granted. 1t requires two-third
vote to put bill on special orders
which means it must have SO votes
Sponsors of the bill argued that tn
tax on railroads through the $50 gros
earnings is not as high as taxes pai'
on real estate property out over tn
state. The purpose in raising gros
earnings taxes is to place railroad
more on an equality with genera
nrOpprtV taxes and if tho hill n q.
gotten place on special orders
finally passed by both houses an,
signed by the governor (there bein