The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-11
TAX QUESTION
Up IN SENATE
STANDS FIRE
Resolution Asking for Committee to Ascertain Assessed
Valuation Of Corporate Interests and Taxes
Paid by Them in Montana Presented
by Senator Kane of Ravai
CIV. G. Ferguson. Staff Correspondent
at Helena.)

CIV. G. Ferguson. Staff Correspondent
at Helena.)
Helena, Jan. 10.--The question which
promises the greatest amount OF dis
cussion and which seems to be Of
greater import than any other subject
which has so far presented itself to the
Fifteenth legislative asscmbly--that of
taxing mines. water power companies
and other corporations--receive its
baptism of fire In the senate this after
noon and stood the test well. The sub
jcct was brought to the attention OF
the senate when Senator Kane OF
Ravalli introduced n. resolution in
which he asked that n committee be
appointed by the committee on com
mttees with full power to ascertain
the assessed valuation ard tax paid
by all mines and mining industries.
hydro-electric and lighting companies,
telephone and telegraph companies and
express companies. The resolution also
requests this committee to furnish in
formation regarding the assessed valu-
alton and taxes paid by railroad COM
panies on all improvements. Senator
relating to railroads that the other in
formation was already at hand.
Amended Motion Carries.
What may have been an attempt by
Senator Whiteside to obfuscate the
issue by making it apply to all classes
of property was defeated decisively
when President Mcdowell called for a
division of the senate. Senator White
side then offered second amendment
! including banks and other classes Of
property. Senator Edwards, Rosebud,
| moved to amend the amendment by in
Guiding banks alone, holding that II
all classes OF property We're included
/ the committee would be unable to
| His motion TO amend carried viva vocc
AS stated before. the amended rcsolu-
! tion carried by Il substantial majority
on division.
| In seconding Senator kane's motion
to adopt the resolution Senator Amin,
saltwater. said:
The question of taxation will be
brought before the senate in many and
various forms. 1t will be a matter of
great Importance. The conditions are
such that we cannot deal justly with
the corporations with the amount OF
information we have at hand and we
should be informed as to what tax they
are now paying. We should have at
our disposal the most complete figures
available. ! am not violating the con
fidence of the senate when | say that
in the past have been considered a
radical on the subject of taxation.
Asks for Fair Play.
For the information. particularly of
the Butte Miner, | say that this senate
will not lend itself to any absurdities
which crop up. do not believe that
any member of this senate would work
n hardship on any corporation. be-
lieve that all are actuated by motives
of. fair play and we should have all the
accurate information we can obtain.
hope that the senate will pass this res
'ihtloH anu XVI tHiS lIlbIInittlbn IOI
the use of this body"
Wants Normal at Sidney.
Representative Kemmis, Richland
today gave neticc of Il bill which viii
| provide for n normal school at Sidney
| This is the second bill of this nature
noticed during the present session, thu
other will be introduced by Belden
Fergus, and provides for norma
school at Lewistown.
The house was extremely busy to
day getting its committees in working
| order Organization of these commit
5 tees is moving along in good shape ant
as the representatives are rapidly get