The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-01-25


the Anaconda company operates or
has operated, where it has not en-
deayored TO cultivate the good will of
those with whom it has been brought
IN contact, and to assist IN every Ie-
climate way every lawful enterprise
that has been initiated. In the par
tlcular communities where its activi-
Ties are largely conferred it has striven
10 improve every condition under
which its employees and those depend
ent upon them exist.
No Unfair Dealing.
am not here as the panegyrist of
corporate organization, but | do feel
d very pardonable pride in the fact
that not only during the last five
years, but during the last 16 years.
OF which l can speak with intimate
knowledge, there has never been a
question that involves a controversy
over a business transaction with this
company There has never been a
| i SN " 4o'Sh VI IdltIJ OIL Df6dcn OF
word, or of unfair dealing in any Of
Its innumerable business transac-
lions.
1t may be, Mr.. Chairman, that the
foregoing may be considered as hard
ly pertinent to the inquiry you are
conducting, but | conceive it to be of
the utmost Importance to call to your
attention, and through you to the at
tention of the people of the state, the
position occupied by this industrial
organization in this state. / think it
is of the utmost Importance that OPP
portunity should be given occasionally
| to express the condemnation that
should be expressed toward those who
constantly strive to stir up animosity
and hatred against an organization
merely because it is big.
They talk about invisible govern
ment, and one would think that the
officials of this corporation sat in
some center devising means and ways
state of their birthright If the DEM
agogues who spend their time in ere
ating hatred and exuding venom of
this character We're half as busily en-
gagged in the pursuit of legitimate en-
deayor in the effort to do something
really worth while for themselves and
their fellows, as are the men upon
whom the responsibility of directing
the affairs of this corporation devolve,
there would be less bitterness and
more material progress made in this
great state.
Taxes Paid by A. C. M. Co.
now propose, Mr.. Chairman, to di-
rect my remarks specifically to the
tax paid by the Anaconda Copper Mi
ming company in this state, leaving
aside for the moment reference to
federal excise and income taxes.
I have seen it suggested repeatedly
that it was proposed that a measure
should be passed by this legislative
assembly taxing the mining industry,
and l have wondered what sort of
misinformation existed when it has
appeared In the headlines of the news
papers as a novel proposition that a
tax was to be levied upon the mining
industry, and particularly that a tax
was to be levied upon the Anaconda
Copper Mining company. have no
doubt that this agitation has given
rise to the belief in the minds of many
of the people of this state that by
some artful means or measures, the
Anaconda Copper Mining company
lodges or evades just payment OF
taxes to this commonwealth. Let us
examine into the facts:
During the same period of time
covered by the other figures submit
ted, to- wit: The five-year period from
1912 to 1916, inclusive, the Anaconda
company has paid in taxes to the state
iof Montana the sum of $3,768,58S.94
or. upon the basis of a comparison
with the dividends paid by it, of abou
7 per cent, so that for every hundred
dollars distributed in dividends from
it's entire dividends from all sources
both within and without the state o.
Montana, there has been paid in taxes
to the state of Montana 81. In add
ton to the tax paid the state of Mon
tarfa, the federal corporation and in
. come taxes have also been paid.
venture the assertion that no othe
business enterprise in the state o
, Montana can show more complet
, fulfllment of it's tax obligation tha
is disclosed by the foregoing figures.
The Assessment.
would like, if time permitted, t
make an exhaustive analysis of tn
tax situation in this state Withi
the biref compass of this argument
however, such an undertaking is man
ifestly impossible. 1 do wish. how
ever, to call your attention to som
figures presented by the report OF tn
state board of equalization for tn
e year 1916. The total assessment of a
property in the state of Montana TO
e the said year amounts to $4S7,S9S,35'
t or the foregoing amount, the assess
3 ment of the Anaconda compan
= amounts to $31,S10,993, or 6.42 pc
s cent of the total assessed valuation