The circle banner., 1917-02-16
Helena.
That Taxation Problem.

sfoA dN6lfSIi iobtOTis
While the legislature is wrestling
with the problem of who is to pay in
creased taxes to meet the deficit here
tofore estimated at from 100000 tt
100000, bombshell has been cast
among legislators by the estimate from
q special senate committee on taxation
and assessments, of which Senator
Lane is chairman, that the deficit will
run more than million dollars before
the next assembly sits and possibly
more.
Figures considered earlier in the ses.
sion had been from the stimates of
State Auditor William Heating, and had
been based on presupposition of sums
saved by economy measures. which 1t
was thought, might include the consol-
idation of certain boards and the elimi-
nation of some high priced appointees.
| Chairman Kane's committee not only
endeavors to show that the auditors
| figures are too optimistic on income and
oblivious of outgo, but that the ex-
| penses will continue to soar, despite
| any conceivable program of economy, If
the state is to maintain its institu-
| tions in proper manner.
r X X
Recommended to Pass.
Several House bills recommended for
passage by standing committee reports
are as follows. For city Fairgrounds,
skating Kinks and park, by Buell. of Mis-
soula; Demel and Scotts herd law;
Mrs. Hathaway's national prohibition
amendment; Stimpert's bill to punish
unfair competition; Wards bill to ex-
empt embalmers and undertakers from
Jury duty; Anderson's measure defin-
Ing peddlers; Murray's labor bill for
eight hour days for women; Masons
bill for eight hours for city, mines,
mill and other laborers, amended to
include sugar factory employees;
Pages bill for semi-monthly pay day.
X X X
Refuse to Exclude Reporter.
Efforts to exclude representatives of
The Helena Independent from the floor
of the house failed, when a resolution
to that effect, introduced by Baxter,
was defeated by vote of A to As. At
ter the failure to exclude any member
of the The Independent staff from the
house, Belden sought to exclude RE
porter Perkins" because the latter had
attended republican caucus at the
Placer hotel as an unlimited guest.
His effort was likewise lost when a
substitution motion by Mcmahon to ap-
point non-partisan investigating COM
mittee was carried by vote of AZ to
43.
Notice of New House Bills.
Among the recent notices of house
bills to be introduced were the follow |
ing:
By Connolly-To regulate and gov
ern the sanitary conditions under |
which wall paper. or substitute wall |
covering, shall be placed.
By Huffaker-Authorizin cities and |
towns to regulate motor vehicles and |
such regulations.
By Lewis-Amending the revised |
codes of Montana of 1907, prohibiting
games and providing a pen
atty for the violation thereof.
X X
Teachers Pension Bill.
A feature of the proposed teachers
pension law is that it will be optional
with the teachers whether or not they |
shall enroll under it. One of the pro-
visions of the new bill introduced in |
the house is an annuity fund into |
which the participating teachers will |
contribute the sum of s35 yearly for a
period of 80 years which, on retire |
ment, would give the pedagogues an
5000. added to this, the |
$500 annual pension that will be asked |
of the state, would give the retired |
teachers yearly income in the neigh
borhood of $500.
Would Table All Liquor Bills.
One of the features of the present |
session came when Senatoh j. E. Ed
wards of Rosebud, president pro tenn,
moved that hereafter all bills pertain
ing to the liquor business be laid on
the table. A point of order was raised
and Lieutenant Governor Mcdowell
decision. There is a move
ment in the state to advance prohibi-
ton year, making it effective Decem-
Der 81.
4 X X
For Police Pension Fund.
Representative Ward of Silver Bow
has introduced in the house bill pro-
viding for the creating of police bene-
1t and pension fund for all metropoli-
ian police departments In the state.
The bill provides for the levy of an
annual tax as we'll as monthly dues
rom the policemen, and likewise pro-
7ides that part Of the police court
ines shall be placed in that fund.
X X X
says Proposed Tax Unjust.
That the proposed tax on the net
of tho mining industries of
Montana is not warranted and is un-
ust and not liable to pass at this ses-
ion of the Montana legislature is the
statement made here by Senator Dan
- n