The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-10-29
GREATEST INDUSTRY MADE A
TARGET.


goats. Those who are engaged In de-
veloping the most hazardous industry
in the state have had imposed upon
them unjust taxation. The legisla-
tors were possessed with the same
crude instincts as the ancient abo-
rhymes who looked no further than
the advancement Of their immediate
tribe, and were not broadminded
enough to know that crushing the
greatest industry in the state is det-
rimental to the welfare Of all the
people in Oklahoma. They have not
advanced far enough m broad intelli-
gence yet to know that the upbuild-
ing of this great INDUSTRY and cen
Trailing 1t here is Of vast importance
and benefit to all the people In the
state, no matter where they reside.
oil producers pay into the state
treasury 80 mills on the dollar Of their
receipts for the sale Of the oil pro
duced. Under the budget of 1917 9th
er classes of property will pay into
the state treasury two mills on the
dollar. based upon the advalorem ba-
sis. It is true that small portion of
this 30 mills is paid back into the
counties for school and good road
purposes, though the amount is moth
ing compared to what would be avail
able for township, school district and
county government, If the oil produc-
ers tax was paid the same as other
taxes are paid, and appropriated in
the same manner.
Only State Having This Method.
No other state in the union has un-
dertaken such high-handed method
Of levyng tribute from one single in
dustry. The people in the non-oil-de-
veloped part of the state should join
in opposing this method of taxation,
for the professional politicians are an
avaricious lot II is nard to tell how
soon their appetite will call for pro-
duction tax on broom corn, cotton,
cotton seed oil, packing house and
manufacturing products. As a matter
of fact it isn't good statesmanship
to take away the oil taxes and appro-
pirate them to the exclusion OF the
localities paying the tax County and
local governments have to be main
tanned in the oil country and the oil
tax ought to help maintain this neces-
sary expense. Besides, 1t is
Bad Financial Policy.
Three redneries locating just across
the line in Kansas recently which will
be fed 10y Oklahoma crude; transport
ing storage oil to Kansas and other
states where oil men have few
rights left; the tearing down , and
abandonment of great tank farms; the
removal from the state of lots of our
wealthiest men, shows what the short
sighted policies are bringing about in
this state.
Bad Economics, Too.
This policy is unsound for oil de
velopment helped principally to the
upbuildinE of the magnificent cities
of Bartlesyille, Muskogee, Vinita, Ok
mulgee, Ponca City, Sapulpa, Ard
more and Tulsa, 1t is putting renew
ed life and vigor in Blackwell, Enid
and Perry, and Oklahoma City is feel
ing the dynamic force or the oil men.
The upbuiIding Of these cities has ere
ated market for the farmers. and
they, too. indirectly, are partners and
derive great benefits from the produc-
ton of oil Is the progress of these
cities TO be retarded and paralyzed by
the machinationns of brazen dema-
rogues? Shall Grant, Woodward, Ma
jor. Custer, Kiowa and all the rest of
western Oklahoma counties wait for
oil men TO turn loose millions in their
midst. testing the lands for oil, until
the demagogues run their course, or
will they. too join in killing them off
at the coming eleHou. Oklahoma,
the Pennsylvania of mineral resour-
ces of the west. but little developed
yet. should be a magnet TO draw cap
ital in to make It manufacturing
and industrial state Let the wealth
be retained In Oklahoma. II will find
its outlet in every channel of trade
and investment II treated fair. We
can't have a great state without great
political and public leadership. Pyg-
mics breed and draw pygmies, dema-
gogues are prolific where people are
in public affairs. Okla
homans have too much at stake TO
longer slumber in political affairs.
OIL Men are Now Awakened.
The oil lands which are no good for
agricultural purposes and will not be
for years are taxed the same as lands
In other parts of the state and in ad'
lit.on the oil produced is taxed eN
cessiyely, The oil is taxed again. Il
stored. the oil mems income is taxed