The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-23
TUESDAY MORNING, JAN. g. 1917.
THE TAX COMMITTEES REPORT.

Every person who is interested in his OF her state
government should read the first report submitted by
the legislative tax investigating committee. which
appears on another page Of The Muscular this
morning.
Senator kanes committee has done real service
to the people Of the state in going to the bottom Of
this all important matter.
Instead Of deficit Of only $39.676 as appears
from the official estimate for the two years, com.
mencing March ]. 1917. and ending March |.
1919. and which was taken as the ba.i, for the
needs Of the state government in the very extended
speech Of Mr. Kelley in presenting the opposition
views Of the big Butte mining companies. the report
Of the legislative tax investigating committee shows
that the state facing deficit over one million dol
lars for the ensuing two years.
In their first report to the two houses Of the lesis-
ature yesterday. the committee points out that the
deficit which exist in the ordinary course Of the
states business. without change in the present
course and plans Of taxation" will amount to
$780.6S7. -.
The committee says. If the chancelor's estimate
as to absolute necessities for the different educational
institutions j. accepted. there viii be added to this
deficit the sum Of 1924. $40. making total deficit
Of $l.075.627."
Either the state needs new system Of bookkeep-
ing. or more revenue. or possibly both.
The report Of the committee ought to arouse the
state to realization Of actual conditions, but whether
it will or not yet remains to be seen. .
Mr.. Kelley in his speech against the proposed l..
cense tax fee for mines. water power companies and
express companies demonstrated that the approach
ing deficit was only $39.676.38.
Surely" he said. "a sum 50 inconsequential.
when considering the finances Of the state as to be
matter Of no uneasiness or alarm" Continuing, he
said. In view Of this showing what possible excuse
can there be for increasing enormously the burden
Of current taxation9 What necessity. pray you.
would justify your so doinga submit to you fair
y. if in the face Of this showing. some Of the pro-
posed legislative measures are enacted into law.
would it not appear 10 the casual observer that the
acton was one OF oppression. one Of spoliation in
fact. one Of oonfseatona'
In view Of the report Of actual conditions. as set
forth in detail in the committee report we fear that.
some portions Of Mr.. kelleys speech will probably
have to be revised before being printed in permanent
FORM
Al the tax committee hearing yesterday some in.
tereshng facts appeared. The mining companies
have had their day in court before the committee, as
have the water power companies. Yesterday the
express companies had their inning
1t appears from the testimony Of Mr.. Maher, tax
commissioner Of the Great Northern Express com.
pany. and MIR. Sanders. tax commissioner Of the
Northern Express company. that the Great Northern
express company is capitalized at $4,000. 900 and
the Northern Express company at $5.0O0.OOO
Both Of these companies pay an annual dividend o
six per cent on their capital stock -
Last year the Northern Express company paid Just
$4.O5o taxes in the state Of Montana. $3.436 o
which was paid in the one county Of Lewis anc
Clark. where the assessor had taxed their franchise
Just to show how rotten the situation really was.
In our neighboring state Of Washington, Tai
Commissioner Sanders testified that his company paie
tax Of five per cent Of its gross earnings"
It does not appear that the Great Northern Elk
pres. company paid any tax whatever last year j,
Montana. When Mr.. Maher. its tax commissioner
was asked. why his company had not paid taxes j,
Montana. he truthfuly replied. Because you hav
no law which forces us to pay taxes o..
That ought to convince some Of the doubhn,
Thomases Of the truthfulness Of the accusation tina
..axes have NJ bNe1wfd withsan even hand her
in Monts1AS u L N% *usR Ssa e.
If sod hese get corporate interests. owne'
by noaA e sihs s.aie.s paying h
same pteeao bna.s .ssxshk u. Seen levied again,
he home owners. the farms, Tie hanks. the bu,ius,