The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1937-03-18
Capitol SLants
By John M. ZUach
Representative at Large
Redwood and Bro1pn Counties


Strong party leaders find to
their sorrow that goodly num-
Der of the legislators are reaching
the point where they are begin
ming to exercise independence of
mind and refuse to accede to the
minor role of understanding
everything proposed by the adj
ministration.
A break came when an attempt
was made to pass. a bill in the
name of civil service which would
do nothing more than enable the
governor to control all appoint
ments. Enough of the independent
liberals baked so that the bill
was rejected and a bill including
the merit rating system was &C
copied instead.
If Minnesota is to have a civil
service it will take a strong bill
to eliminate the "spoils' and
"carpetbagger" growths now so
evident in government.
Al Hour Week
Labor groups maintain a pow
erful and efficient lobby in the
capitol. This is evidenced by the
passage in the house of the "A
hour week for women. Many ru-
raj members were made to be-
lieve that it was a good piece of
legislation by various labor groups
The senate, however, used bet
ter judgment and killed the bill.
Such short week perhaps is
feasible and advisable in indus
try where women and girls must
work with machine-like precision
but in restaurants and stores in
the small communities an entire
ly different situation exists.
Employees are busy only at in
tervals while often they have
time between to chat or read the
newspapers. The main necessity
is that they be there to serve the
|spasmodic trade. To limit hours
to A a week under such condi-
tions would result in inconvenien-
ce and increased costs for a group
of employers who can ill afford
any increases. The senate is now
countering with a 48 hour week
measure.
$4,000 Exemptions
Without much regard as to
where funds for state operation of
the government are to be secured,
the house this week approved
bill entirely eXempting the first
81 900 on hOmeSteadS from state
taxes. This is in line with cam
paign pledges made last fall.
Conservatives in the house
tried to Guido the liberals by Of
fering an amendment which in
Guided exemption of the first ST.
200 of actual value of homesteads.
This, however, was voted down.
These exemptions are desirable
if the state can raise the revenue
displaced by other than levies on
property. If that is not possible it
appears to be a dangerous policy
to exempt homesteads entirely.
Bank Taxing
After hours of Wrangling, the
house had accomplished little on
the bill increasing the money and
credit tax from three to five mills
and providing for tax on bank
stocks. Most house members are
noticably bewildered on the
proposition.
The proposed tax is complica-
ted and far reaching. Members
interested in both raising revenue
and a just tax on banks frankly
admit they cannot fully see the
picture.
Probabilities are that the bill
will be amended to strike the pro-
vision taxing bank stocks and
when passed the bill will provide
for an increase on monies and
credits from three to five mills
with the state acting as the collec-
ting agency instead of banks
themselves as previously planned.
Another likely provision is that
the mortgage registry tax will be
repealed and mortgages be made
subject to the money and credits
levy.
Thou Tax Upon Tax"
The tax situation for those who
are wondering is something like
this: Income tax bill being con-
sidered by the senate; money and
credits tax has special order for
Monday; New gift tax has special
order for Monday; increase in
telephone gross earnings set for
$3.50 p. m. Monday; iron ore, chain
store, railroad tax bills in COM
mittee; higher inheritance tax to
receive house consideration this
week; one cent increase in gaso-
line tax recommended by motor
vehicles committee.
And still people are not ready
to call a halt.
A1lL