The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1937-03-04
Capitol SLants
By John M. ZUdch
Representative at Large
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o nepTeSeHLGCaOe az Large @
9 Redwood and Brol1n Counties
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With approximately half the
session over, the house this week
is finally taking action on the in
come tax bill. 1t has been refer
red and kept in the tax commit
tee, with changes coming SO re-
gularly that it was almost i'm
possible to intelligently gauge the
wishes of committee members.
Both individuals and corporate
rates are graduated to Is per
cent. 1t seems probable, how
ever, that substantial reductions
will be made in the corporation
rates. The house will stand solid
ly with present rates on individ-
ual incomes, an early survey in
dicateS.
AS this is being written, the
opening gun of the battle has not
been fired although in few
hours the first Introductory re-
marks will be blended into the
past as opponents of the measure
take up arms. A deluge of ora
torical blasts is expected to be
heard before the final vote is TAX
en-, probably several days hence.
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
Until very recently the posi-
bilities of rural identification had
not been carefully considered.
Power companies had successful
ly maintained that to furnish
electricity to farms was imprac-
teal and had been able to de-
mand from farmers exorbitant
charges for electrical current.
Farmers gradually began to re-
volt and insisted that they, as in
dividuals, had no bargaining
power with these public service
monopolies.
The result has been attempted
legislation in state and national
governments. Minnesota now has
law allowing municipalities to
extend lines 80 miles into sur
rounding communities. This law
was strenuously opposed by pow
er corporations.
During the last session, the
author of this column aided in
sponsoring a bill to put power
companies under the regulation
of the railroad and warehouse
commission so that rural rates
might be scrutinized and correct
ed. The results of this pressure
were that rural rates were cut
about 20 per cent following the
regular session of 1885.
The same bill is again being
pushed at this session. Rural
people Insist that they won't be
Disseminated against with re-
spect to electrical cost. With the
progress of the REA, the day is
not far distant when agriculture
may receive the benefits of this
modern convenience.
GAS TAX DIVISION
After a strenuous battle the
house passed the bill providing
that where the county commits
sioners and the people of the
county desire it, one-half of the
gasoline tax money which goes
to the county may be portioned
out to the various townships.
With upstate and city repre-
sentatives generally opposed to
the measure, it demanded care
full maneuvering to secure the 66
votes necessary for passage.
The bill remained in commit
tee for several weeks where ar
guments were aired freely. The
bill at first made it mandatory
for county boards to divide half
of the money with townships but
after several meetings, arrange
ments were completed whereby
an amendment was offered which
made the bill optional. In that
form, it passed the house.
SALARY RESTORATION
After a hectic Saturday after
noon session which extended into
the late hours, the house appro-
priations committee decided by a
small margin to restore full pay
to all state employees. This &C
ton had been taken by the senate
finance committee.
A cut of 20 per cent was made
in 1888, and one-half of that was
restored in 1885, leaving wages
ten per cent below the 1882 level.
Many of us felt that under the
a full restoration
was unwise and so advocated a
five per cent raise. It is common
that the employees
did not feel the depression until
1892 when their salary slash was
inaugurated when business and
men and farmers
felt the effect much earlier.