Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-10-25

mission.
A study of various efforts of con-
sentative and reactionary groups in
America to put over some form or
other of a sales tax system is en-
tightening. On the one hand we have
liberals and progressives opposing the
sales tax system, while on the other
hand we have those interested to a
greater degree in property rights ad-
vOcating such system
1t is to the credit of President
Roosevelt when attempts were made
to put over this vicious tax system
nationally that he gave notice to the
reactiOnary forces in both the Demo
cratic and Republican parties that he
was opposed to it. Governor Olson
performed the same service for the
consumers of this state in 1881 when
the Interim Tax committee sent out
recommendations for a sales tax. He
punctured the idea when he came out
in no uncertain terms opposing the
sales tax.
The merits or dement's of a pro-
posed law, and its eventual effect
on the masses can generally be judged
by noting who is for and who is
against it.
ReactiOnaries for Sales Tax.
u. S. Senator David Reed of Penn
sylvania, one Of the most reactionary
lawmakers in America and an intim-
ate friend and political associate of
former Secretary of the Treasury An
drew Mellon, is strongly advocating
a national sales tax.
Former Senator Reed Smoot of
Utah, has been for many years an
advocate of the sales tax. He and
would produce federal revenue in at
tractive quantities. 1t would relieve
income taxpayers and place additional
burdens upon consumers.
These men have been powerful lead
ers in the ranks of the most reac-
tionary group in our political life.
They were amongst those most re-
sponsible for putting over the OBJ
noxious Hawley-Smoot tariff law.
The sales tax proposal also had the
support of the American Bankers As
ISOLATION, and various groups who
paid income taxes in the higher
brackets.
In Congress the sales tax has had
the opposition of such outstanding
progressives as Senators Norris, La
Toilette, Shipstead, Cutting, and Co.'S
tigan. Former Congressman La
Guardia, now mayor of New York
City, and Congressman Kvale of Min
nesota, were among the leaders in the
House who defeated the attempt to
put over the proposed national sales
tax.
Detrimental to Consumers.
The gross income and dollar turn
over tax, a form of sales tax, would
benefit certain groups, but it will be
we'll to note who they are. The
Northern States Power Co., and other
large utility interests in Minnesota,
the United States steel Corporation,
and large real estate holding inter-
ests would find the tax beneficial. 1t
would be to the disadvantage of 95
per cent of Minnesota's consumers.
Insurance companies, mortgage
companies, real estate firms, banks
and other corporations have acquired
title to many farms and homes
through mortgage foreclosures during
the last decade. They do not till
the soil nor occupy the homes, but
would like to have the real estate tax
eliminated. If that were done the
consumers and masses of Minnesota
people would have to make up for the
loss of real estate taxes now being
paid by absentee property owners.
The real estate tax must be low
cred but it should not be entirely
eliminated as that would make for
speculation. Without a real estate
tax much land would be held idle
to be sold at higher prices in good
times.
In conclusion, it is we'll to again
remember that new forms of taxation
and worse ones than now on the
statute books of our state-will not
remedy the situation-but that solv-