The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-05-11
GREATEST TASK OF KIND EVEF
UNDERTAKEN IN MONTANA
TO REPORT IN 1919.
HAPPENINGS AT STATE HOUSE
What Is Transpiring in the Different
Departments Where the Affairs of
State Government Are Ad-
ministered.
Helena.

expected to assemble in Helena soon
organize and proceed with the great
est task of the kind ever attempted in
| Montana.
| 1t is empowered to survey the tax
| able property of the state and sub
NIT a report to the state board oil
| equalization, in time for the use OF
the assembly of 1919, which is expect
| ed to revise the taxation statutes on
these recommendations.
The commission is clothed with the
fullest powers. 1t may hold public
me etings and summon witnesses and
demand books, records and papers OF
individuals, companies and corpora
tons.
The revision of the tax laws was
one of the questions which greatly
agitated the 1917 assembly here. Tax.
alton of the corporations was one OF
the issues of the campaign last fall
and propositions of from 1 per cent
to per cent taxes on all corpora.
lions, especially the mining com.
panies, were presented. Whether the
farmers paid too much or too little
also was moot point and after
lengthy discussion, the assembly de.
cided to let the matter go over two
years, while this commission study
the tax situation.
Seeks Ruling on Liability.
Whether a subject of country now
at war with the United States is en-.
titled to compensation, is a question
that is agitating the industrial state
accident board, which has thirty cases
whose status will be decided by their
decision A recent Iowa decision has
been received, to the effect that such
aliens are not entitled to compensa.
ton. An adverse ruling would ulti.
mately affect hundreds of Montana
cases, in the ordinary run of accidents.
Railroad to Cooperate.
]. w. Rapelje, general manager OF
the Northern Pacific lines east OF
Paradise, called at the state house
one day recently.
Mr.. Rapelje is interested in the
work of increasing crop production
in Montana and is showing interest
in a practical way. He called on Gov.
ernor Stewart and volunteered to dc
what he could to assist the work of
the state council of defense.
A. V. Brown, general superintend
ent of the Montana division, who ac-
companied Mr.. Rapelje to Helena, is
as enthusiastic In his desire to aid in
the greater crop production in Mon.
tana, and expressed his willingness tc
assist Governor Stewart and the coun.
Gil of defense in every way to ad
vance the cause for which they are
working.
Conference of Food Jobbers.
Governor V. Stewart, who is presi
dent of the Montana council of defense.
announced last night that he will ask
a conference of wholesale grocers and
iobbers, to discuss the food situation
While the governor did not so state, it
is declared by those in a position to
know that wholesale orders indicate
a disposition to hoard food, which is
the very thing the council desires to |
avert. Steps may also be taken at |
this conference, it is said, to circum. |
vent spectators in food.
Bond Issue Case Argued.
The bond case, involving the validity |
Of county road issues, has been rear
gued in the supreme court here. De.
,ision was reserved. The bonds of a
number of counties, which are held by |
he state, are involved. The present
case is an injunction asked by Frank
7. Edwards of Helena to prevent the
ssue of such bonds.
Fee System Continues.
Justices of the peace elected prior
@ the passage, in the last assembly, OF
/ bill placing them on salary basis
must continue under the fee system
Until their terms expire, declared
Judge R. Lee Word in the state dis
riot court here, thereby fixing prece-
lent for a question which has vexed
he entire state.
Hail Commission Organizes.
The state hail commission, created
" the O'Shea law, held its first meet
ng at the capitol and organized by
lecting E. K. Bowman of Bighorn as
hartman, and Charles D. Greenfield,
commissioner Of agriculture, as secre
airy.
County Prisoners to Work.
County officials have decided that
IL county jail prisoners hereafter
hall be put to work on the roads OF
t farming.
Hall Resumes Craftsmanship.
Having decided as a result of the
pinion of the attorney general, that
e was re-established in his position
S chairman of the state railroad com.
lission, ]. H. Hall appeared at Great
alls In the hearing of the Farmers
telephone company and presided at
le meeting, while Chairman Boyle and
Commissioner Mccormick sat by and
stoned. Commissioner Hall, with
les of the Great Falls hearing in his
possession, went to Great Falls pre-
AIRED to raise contest If he was not
wen his rights. He presided at the
Getting.