Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-09-20


were actually only 40 FL. members
of the legislature, it is said that more
progressive legislation was enacted by
them than has ever been enacted by
any legislative body. Pine county re-
ceives $166,0O0 more from the state
than it contributes, said Mr.. Johnson.
1t is impossible for any legislator
to be non-partisan even though he
may be elected without party desig-
nation was the statement of Chas. J.
Swanson, candidate for representative.
In taking a stand on political and
economic principles and philosophy,
he automatically aligns himself with
certain political group. He believes
that we should have a goal in view
new social order-and that govern
ment should not exist for the bene-
fit of government alone, but for the
benefit of the people. He also spoke
in favor of public ownership of public
utilities, and the net income tax
Attorney General Speaks at Hinckley.
In his address at Hinckley Sunday
afternoon, Harry H. Peterson, Attor-
ney General of Minnesota, stated that
no people or party is perfect, but that
they must all be judged by the record
which they have achieved. The rec
ord of the Farmer-Labor party is such
that the entire ticket should be
elected.
The control of the state government
is worth millions to big business, Mr..
Peterson said. Consequently, it ac-
quired control of the Republican par
ty in order to gain it's ends. Under
the rule of this party, timber barons
practically denuded the state of it's
choice timber and built up huge for
tunes-fOrtunes which today are aid
ing in the fight against the Farmer
Laborites. Similarly, iron ore COM
panies have objected to paying a small
amount to the state for the ore mined
but in obtaining ore from other sour
ces, paid several times that price.
In former years, the street car COM
panies have had two distinct valua-
tions: high valuation upon which to
base their increase in fares. and low
valuation upon which to pay taxes.
Our system of taxation has been ia
vorable to these groups. In some
cases, even though the income ex-
ceeded the value of the property, no
taxes were paid on that income. Had
an income tax been in effect in the
years 1906 to 1888, the revenue there
by derived would have amounted to
$3.50, 1000, 000-a sum which the prop
erty owners of the state have had to
pay. These figures are the calcula-
ton of the Minnesota Tax Commits
sion of which at the time there were
three members-two Republicans and
one Farmer-Laborite. AS a result of
these conditions, people of the rank
and file have deserted the old parties
by the thousands.
Homestead, Mortgage Laws.
The Attorney General in speaking of
legislation sponsored by Farmer
ferential law which reduced the as
sessed valuation of country and city
homes thereby removing a portion of
tax burden on real estate. He also
mentioned the Mortgage Moratorium
law which was instrumental in stop
ping thousands of mortgage foreclos-
ures. 1t is the plan of Farmer-Labor-
ties to extend this moratorium over
another two year period. Chief JUS
tice Sullivan says that this is the
most important case with which the
Supreme Court has dealt in the last
100 years. 1t established the cOnten-
tion that human rights are paramount
to property rights. In commenting
upon the chain store tax and the
necessity for its passage, Mr.. Peter
son stated that merchandising is one
of the great industries of America,
and that the chain stores are Destroy
ing it and the Independent merchant,
further concentrating wealth into the
hands of a few. These chain stores
are the set up of the financial houses
of Wall Street and afford them the op-
portunity for issuing new stock to be
unloaded on the public. He expressed
sympathy for the small independent
business man who thinks he is pal
Morgan, but who will some day find
himself on the street with a chain
store taking over his business.
Crime Is Economic Problem.
Mr.. Peterson concluded his address