The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1917-01-26
Legislative Bureau OF
the Montana Newspaper
Association. Helena }

author of a bill which is of especial
interest to farmers. 1t has to do
with the building of elevators and
warehouses in various sections of the
state. It is proposed to create a
warehouse board, comprising prob
ably the governor, the state treasurer
and the grain inspector. Under Ger
tain conditions and where sites are
furnished free the law would author
lie the issuance of bonds which would
provide the means with which to
build the elevators. 1t is thought
that the storage and brokerage
charges would provide sufficient
funds to pay the interest on the
bonds and provide for a small sink
ing fund. sufficient to allow of the
accumulation of the wherewithal to
redeem the bonds when they come
due, some 80 or IS years from the
late of their issue.
The plan is thought to be very
feasible. If the law should be en-
acted it will be tried out in a modest
way, and if it proves up to expec-
tations, the state would go into the
undertaking on an extensive scale,
and build elevators wherever they
are needed. The fact that 6O2 ele-
vators, an increase of $50 storage
places over the number in operation
a year ago. are insufficient to take
care of the 1916 grain crop, which
was only about so per cent normal,
is giving those who have the grain
growing industry at heart, food for
serious thought.
When it is considered that Mon
tana grew only about 100000
bushels of wheat last year, with a par
tial crop, and with enough wheat ly-
ing out on the ground to fill 100 addi-
tional elevators, and an estimated
crop of 100000, 900 bushels for this
year, providing crop conditions are
normal, it will be apparent hat the
state needs a great many more ele-
vators than are TO- in existence, and
that this need will grow and expand
with the growth and expansion of the
states grain belt is a certainty.
Another bill that will make it's ap-
pearance later in the session is one
that will provide for the putting into
effect of the Torrens land title sys-
tenn. This will make titles absolute
and do away with a%bstracting. When
a piece of land is purchased the deed
is made to the state, the state then
deeds it to the purchaser, and the
title is guaranteed by the govern
ment.
Another piece of prospective legis-
lation is a measure which would put
into effect an unearned increment
tax. Under the provisions of this
proposed law the state receives a
small percentage of the appreciation
of value of real estate. For instance,
when the individual purchases a lot.
say, for the purpose CT illustration.
for $1,000, and sells it later at a
profit, the state receives a percent
age of the profit. In most instances
the unearned increment tax is five
per CEN of the increase.
The bill provides that all proper
ty owners should make declaration of
the values of their holdings within a
year, the values to be determined to
an extent by the tax appraisement of
the property. This applies to city
and town property. The law would
arbitrarily fix a value on lands, dry,
semi-arid and irrigated to be in three
separate classifications. Deed would
not issue to the purchaser unless the
unearned increment tax was paid.
In q growing state like Montana,
where values are going forward at a
rapid rate, and where there is a great
deal of buying and selling of proper
ty, the tate participating in the ap-
probation of property would mean a
tremendous revenue. In real estate
booms the result would be a harvest.
Eddie Booth, creator of new coun-
ties, made his appearance at the
capital the other day. Whenever
Eddie comes the word goes forth for
the map makers to get busy.
Speaking of Eddie Booth suggests
new counties. Two county division
projects are before the legislature,
Residents of the southern portions
of Custer and Fallon counties would
change the map of that section OF the
state, and create a new county to be
called Sykes county. Those back Of
this project would make Ekalaka the
county seat.
Wheatland county Is another coun'
ty divisional scheme. 1t would bt
carved from the eastern part O
auu Tue uOTIucIu ocC
ton of Sweetgrass, with Harlowtor
as the county capital.
The overshadowing question at thu
capital is taxation. 1t started will
the resolution to Investigate thu
taxes paid by the mining and power
companies. This let loose a flood o
bills and resolutions. Among 9th
ers came a bill from a member o
the Butte delegation providing TO
a universal eight hour law. IT 1
should become a law, any employs
in the state, mining operator, farme
or sheepman would be committing
felony if he allowed his miner o
his farm hand or his sheep herde
to work longer than eight hours.
There is talk of all sorts of legis
lation on this question of taxation. l
ia even suggested that a permanen
taxation commission be created, wit
power to pass upon cases where tn
assessor had shown favor or negli
r>ooo T~~mod{atel fO11Owinp tho an