Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1937-02-18
Legislative News
BY G. G. MANN,
Representative from Pine County

There was considerable argument
Monday on bill by Gustav Erickson,
from the Northwest Angle country,
in which he wanted the commissioner
of conservation to have authority to
open the season for moose, in his
territory, during the time that the
adjoining Canadian provinces were
open. The bill was an unimportant
one and really took up too much Of
the time of the House, with so many
important measures to be considered.
Tuesday morning was taken up by
the tax committee, at which represen-
tatives from insurance and mining
companies objected to their inclusion
in the new income tax bill. The in
surance companies now pay a gross
premium tax, which brings more
money into state Golfers than a net
income tax would. But the House
committee would like to get the bill
passed in the House with them in
cluded, not from the standpoint of
justice so much, as l understand it.,
as to have it for a trading point with
the Senate. The idea is one that has
been used by labor unions for many
years; asking for more than they can
possibly expect to get so as to have
compromising advantage. AS to the
mining companies, they now pay occu-
pational and royalty taxes, as we'll
as ad valOrem or property taxes, to
an amount nearly equal to % per cent
on their gross income, and whether
they should have the additional bur-
den of a net income tax is a matter
of opinion. l would like to see some
way of taking some of the money from
those range communities and distrib-
uting it over the state, as even they
will admit that there is much sQuan-
dering of public funds there. Young
men there are growing up with the
idea instilled into them that the power
of taxation is a legitimate business.
Tuesday afternoon the rules we're
suspended to pass bill extending the
mortgage moratorium law for another
two years. This was passed by the
Senate on Monday and l understand
has been signed by the Governor and
is now law.
An evening session of the House
was held Thursday, and several of
the measures on general orders were
passed to the calendar where they
come up for final passage the follow
ing day. One introduces bill in the
House. works for weeks to get it out
of the committee, then another week
or two to get it to the top of general
orders and passed, and then has to
start in and do the same thing all
over again in the Senate, a needless
waste Of time and effort. My uni
cameral bill, to create a one-house
legislature, is still in committee, but
the glowing reports of the working
of the ore-house body in Nebraska
may help me to get it out and up
for consideration in this legislature.
On Friday morning the game and
fish committee voted against any kind
of an omnibus game or fish bill, one
member expressing the sentiment of
the committee fairly well in saying
that she thought it was better to pass
three or four small good bills than
one bad big one.
Friday being holiday there was no
session of the House but committee
meetings were carried on as per
schedule. The liquor control COM
mittee considered the state dispensary
bill, and in its present form the meas
ure has many objections from rural
members, including myself, in that it
provides that the state may set up
retail liquor stores in rural commun-
tiles. Much opposition is developing,
particularly from labor unions, against
a state dispensary of any kind. Per-
sonally, l have no objections to a
state dispensary on the same prin-
ciple as our local municipal dispen-
saries, providing they keep out Of
rural sections.
Another cent gas tax looks very
probable, but some members feel that
they should have assurance of work
on the roads in their various COM
munities before they can support it.
This being the long week for the
House, a short session was held Sat-
urday, although the Senate adjourned
from Thursday night until Monday.