Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1937-01-28
State Capitol News
By A. l. HARRIS

Governor Benson has accepted the
recommendations of L. p. Zimmerman.
state public relief administrator. OF
S17,OOO,OOO for direct relief needs for
the next biennium. Mr.. Zimmerman's
recommendations are embodied In the
administration relief bill pending
before the Legislature. The bill has
drawn severe fire from Senator
Rockne and other anti-relief minded
conservatives. In a statement to news
papers, Senator Rockne said that S.
O0O, 900 for the biennium should be
sufficient.
Much has been made by the con-
servatives over the apparent differ
ence in Mr.. Zmmerman's estimate
of ST. 10000 and the S10OO0,O0 esti-
mate of Paul A. Rasmussen, state bud
get commissioner. However cir
estimates are quite IecOncilable.
At a conference with Mr.. thinner
man last week, Mr.. Rasmussen en-
planned that his figures did not in
clude estimates for such emergency
purposes as drouth relief and the
state assuming any part of the bur-
den which some of the financially
embarrassed counties are unable to
bear. Mr.. Rasmussen stated that his
S1O,O0O,OOO figure is the amount he
fixed which could be paid from the
general revenue fund for relief pur-
poses on a pay-as-you-go basis. but
did not attempt to set tie actual re-
lief needs of the state. Otherwise
there are very few, if any, differences
between the two estimates.
The Administrations program for
increase in the income tax is now be-
fore the Legislature. The increases
are principally in the higher income
brackets. If passed by the egis'a-
ture, the bill will increase the states
revenue in excess of S6,000,000 year y.
Tax experts agree that a tax on in
comes is the most just and equitable
tax system yet devised. carrying out
the theory of taxation in accordance
with ability to pay.
tax in this state are ear-marked for
school purposes. In a sense. there
fore, an income tax acts as a re-
placement tax. reducing the local tax
load.
Roy Dunn, conservative House floor
leader, made complaint last week of
what he called unfair treatment given
cOnservati eS by the liberal-contrOlled
House majority in the matter of COM
mittee appointments.
Of all persons, Mr.. Dunn should
be the last to make such complaint.
If he took occasion to compare tie
treatment given liberals when his
conservative group controlled the
House to the treatment now accorded
conservatives by the liberal majority
he will discover that the liberals in
deed have been very charitable to
his group.
In 1885, with conservatives in con-
troll, the liberals received four ap-
pointments to the civil administra-
ton committee while in 1897 con-
servatives were given five app int
ments; five liberals in 1885 were
placed on the committee on agricul-
ture, while six conservatives are on
that committee at the present time;
in 1885 four liberals were on the APP
preparations committee and four con-
servatives are now serving on that
committee; the general lie isla ion
committee in 1885 found four liberals
as members, whereas six conserva-
tives are now serving; on the markets
and marketing committee of 1885 only
seven liberals were given positions,
where 10 conservatives are now on
that committee; four liberals served
on the municipal affairs commi tee
in 1885 as compared to five conserv-
atives at the present time.