The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-01-23
THE GOVERNOR
IS NOT Quoted
CORRECTLY
GEORGE BLACK OF TULSA COR.
RECTS STATEMENT ATTRlBU-
TED TO GOVERNOR WILLIAMS
MADE IN SPEECH.

Governor Williams in his speech be-
fore the City club of Tulsa, Saturday,
January 20, made the statement that
he ahd told the fellows who impor.
tuned him for a reduction Of the 3
per cent gross production tax that he
would veto such a measure If present
ed that he had told those who ad.
yocated a reduction of that tax that
he would veto it. He did not state in
his speech, as the newspapers have in.
dicated, that he would veto such a
measure, and even though he did, Gov
ernor Williams expressed a sincere
desire to do what is right and best for
the best interests of the state, and
Governor Williams is a big enough
man to change his mind when CON
fronted with facts and figures show
ing his previous judgment was wrong.
Railways and Other Taxes.
The railways in this state, outside
Of the cities and towns, pay less than
, per cent tax upon their assessment
returns, as finally fixed by the state
board of equalization, of which the
governor is a member. The farmers
of the state pay less than IS mills
tax upon their farm assessments, upon
values from % to 40 pef>cent of the
fair sale price thereof These assess
ment values placed upon farm lands
were likewise approved by the state
board of equalization. 1t will thus
be seen that the farmers are pretty
we'll treated They pay less than per
cent tax on their fixed, permanent
properties. This same thing is true
with reference to personal property in
the state. The farmers wheat, oats,
corn, cotton, broomcorn, etc, is ex-
empt from taxation These assertions
are based upon indisputable facts and
these facts will be presented to the
| legislature of this state
What the Oil Producers Pay.
The oil producers pay per cent
upon what they sell the oil for. They
are not tax dodgers, nor are they a
class that will suffer injustice and dis
elimination without raising their voice
in protest, and this in just an effect
i've way as possible The bankers
cotton seed oil manufacturers. glass
manufacturers, cement pants and the
| business men OF this state stand
squa-ely with the oil producers, not
only asking, but demanding that the
tax laws of this state be adjusted upon
a more equal and reasonable basis.
No one can afford to compromise
with wrong doing This fight is going
to 20 on until the resident of every
village and every rural district in this
state understands fully the harm that
is being done to the state by the dis.
criminatory and unfair legislation in
regard to the oil industry.
The legislature Of this state is a
sober, hard.working industrious bunch
Of men who have shown every dispo.
sition towards careful consideration of
measures presented for their consider
alton We have no fear of mistreat-
mnt at their hands when all the facts
are placed before them. We have the
utmost faith in the good Judgment and
integrity of our governor and believe
he, too, will go into this matter care.
lully after all the facts are before him
and that any preconceiyod ideas will
be cast aside and the subject handled
with an open, fair mind.
II the state in 1915, when the aver.
aye price Of oil Was 1924 II per barrel