Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1936-02-27
STEADY GROWTH

Ihe F'armer-LaDOr party mas S0Ou
principles and it is the political party
in the state of Minnesota that holds
out the most hope for the masses.
The first outstanding victory of the
party was in 1922, when Henrik Ship
stead was elected United States sena-
tor, and at the same time Knud
Wefald was elected congressman from
the Ninth district.
Though there was elected Farm
er-Labor governor, Floyd B. Olson, an
outstanding orator. debater and lead
er, in 1890. there has as yet not at
any time been majority of Farmer
Labor members in either House of the
State Legislature. Farmer-Laborites
have constituted approximately one
third of the total membership of each
House in the past several sessions.
However. in the 1888 session the
House organized progressively by
electing Charles Mum, speaker,
through the aid of some progressive
Republicans and Democrats who had
tired of reactionary leadership in past
sessions.
Having gained the organization of
the House, leading progressiveS were
placed in strategic positions as chair
men of important committees, with the
result that the House passed such bills
as the net income tax on individuals
and corporations. the chain store tax,
the mortgage moratorium. the home
stead preferential act, lower license
fees on automobiles, especially the
inexpensive type, and other import
ant bills. The senators heard from
home. Much publicity was given to
the progressive bills passed in the
House. and with the leadership Of
Governor Olson. the conservative
Senate, with the entire membership
coming up for reelection in 1884, fell
into line and passed the same pro-
gressive bills that had come through
the House.
Conservatives and liberals alike are
agreed that general property taxes
have become too high, but the liber-
ais so far are the ones who have
given concrete evidence of their de-
sire to lower property taxes. The
evidence is in the enactment of the
net income tax, which is based on
the ability to pay. That was good
forward step and now that it is on
our statute books and the tax is being
collected, there is little criticism of
it. No industries have been driven
out of the state.
The chain store tax was enacted
Lo l.;
it less difficult for the local indie
pendent merchant to compete with
the big chain stores. Independent
merchants usually are home and COM
munity builders.
The homestead preferential act
lowers taxes on homes and farms and
encourages home ownership, very i'm
portant for the building of commun-
ity, state, and nation.
The mortgage moratorium was for
the purpose of giving a breathing
spell to those heavily mortgaged, and,
if possible, in that manner to carry
them through the depression.
The minimum tax on automobiles
was reduced from SO to s., which
makes it much more in line with
what ought to be paid by inexpensive,
used cars.
The FarmerLabor party is opposed
to a general retail sales tax on food,
clothing and other commodities for
the general expense of government.
While that nuisance tax would bring
in considerable revenue, it will,
II
the same persons who are now pay
ing either directly or indirectly gen.
eral property taxes and will, there
fore, not help the situation. We talk
about an American standard of liv-
ing, let us also have an American
standard of taxation, and not be sub
iected to paying taxes in pennies
every day.
We have had great material pro-
gress i'm the United States. but in the
future we must give more thought to
social security Our philosophy OF
life must be changed somewhat. With
millions on one hand, there is pow
erty on the other hand. The millions
do not make for happiness anywhere
but result in misery in the homes OF
many who are deserving of better
treatment. A good slogan to adopt
and carry through is, comfort in the
homes for all classes
Much can yet be done toward wfp-
ing out illiteracy in our nation. The
father of our country, George Wash
ington, and many other leaders have
we'll emphasized that in democracy
there must be understanding. Free