Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1936-09-24
BENSON GIVES
HIS KEYNOTE
Home Town of Appleton
Arranges Gala Home
coming for Its Son.
FL. Candidate for Cover
nor Attacks Republican
Opponents Tax Stand.

Criticizing his Republican opponent
for failing to take definite stand on
any issue, including taxes, Senator Ell
mer A. Benson, in his keynote address
as Farmer-Labor candidate for COVER
nor, presented the Farmer-Labor pro-
gam for reducing taxes on farms and
on city homes and outlined the Farm
er-Labor position on other issues. The
address was delivered Monday night
at his home town of Appleton.
Senator Benson referred to the
achievements of the Olson admin
istration as an outstanding national
accomplishment. These achievements,
he emphasized. were carried through
despite a reactionafy legislature which
prevented carrying out of the entire
Farmer-Labor program.
Senator Benson charged outright
that Martin A. Nelson, his Republican
opponent, had deliberately misrepre-
scented the matter of state finances,
adding that an honest presentation of
governmental expenditures would dis
close to the voters that the Farmer
Labor administration was more eco
nomical than even the so-called econo-
my Governor Theodore Christianson."
The senator also declared himself in
favor of Governor Olson's pledge to
lend support to the reelection of Pres
ident Roosevelt. He declared:
1T is not that l subscribe to every
thing that President Roosevelt has
6Opp nr annrOuo oil po1icioc uybiob hic
administration has promulgated.
always supported the Frazier-Lemke
bill and voted for it as Senator Fra
zier's amendment to the tax bill in
the U. S. Senate. l believe in it now
as firmly as ever. l am an admirer
of Congressman Lemke. If l were in
North Dakota, l would vote for his
reelection to Congress, and Father
Coughlin has done great public serv-
ice in arousing the people to the
abuses of our monetary system.
Danger of EIecting LandOn.
This is not an issue between Roose-
welt and Lemke, but between Roose-
welt and Landon. 1t is whether we
shall have national administration
whose outlook is liberal and humane,
or national administration whose
outlook is reactionary and cruel. Even
the most ardent supporter of Mr.. Lem
Ike must admit that large Lemke
vote can only deliver this country over
to Landon."
Declaring that his Republican OPP
ponent talks of economy but refuses
to say how he will effect economy,
and charging that he is secretly sup
porting the sales tax which he re-
fuses to disclose to the voters, SEN
ator Benson said:
1.-THE home owner and farmer today
bear tax burden altogether too
heavy and unjust.
Would Shift Tax Burden.
IF l am elected governor, l propose
to submit program to the legislature
which will bring the needed tax relief
to them. This tax program will be
based on the fundamental tax theory
of the Farmer-Labor party that taxes
should be levied in accordance with
ability to pay. 1t will shift the bur-
den of taxes from those who are eco
nomically oppressed to those who pos
sess the means to pay. The Repub-
lican tax program of sales tax would
shift the burden from the wealthy on
to the backs of the poor.
Il propose to bring about tax relief
for the home owner and farmer
through an increase in inheritance,
estate and gift taxes; an increase in
the tax on monies and credits; an in
crease in the gross earnings taxes on
railroads and corporations; corporate
excess tax, and an increase in iron
ore taxes.
Enactment of this tax program
would enable us to carry out the plan
of the Farmer-Labor party for real in
stead of fictitious tax relief. We are
opposed to a sales tax.
Would Continue Tax Sits.
II propose also, if elected governor,
to secure an appropriation from the
legislature that will enable the State
Tax Commission to conduct further
investigations of wealthy tax dodgers
Senator Benson scored his oppo-
nent's remarks that the merit system
prevailed under Republican rule.
Others may talk about the merit
system" Senator Benson said, land
avoid an outright declaration of sup
port for civil service law, but we
FAVOR CIVIL service appointment to
both federal and state Offices"
The senator stated that a civil serv-
Ice bill was introduced into the 1893
legislature. but that it did not receive
even hearing before the reactionary-
controlled Civil Administration COM
mittee.
(COutfnued nm p.~> q,