The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-05-14

opportunity shall point the way until Oklahoma shall become
principle 10 which stand unreseryedy committed
Tenantry Oklahoma growth, but inheritance
from the general government thdAgh the dissolution of the
tribal form OF government among the Indians OF the Five
Nations and the allotment of land in seyeay the
bers under restrictions which made those lands nanabe and
nontaxabe This system however admirable in theory, has
resulted in practice in fixing the state condition OF ten
that repugnant to the spirit of democracy and the in
stncs and interests OF citizenship OF both white and Indian
1t hnderng the natural development OF the rich min
era resources OF large part of the state and perpeuatng
control by federal OF vast estates OF whose right
tu poessos arc as competent TO transact business and care
tor Their properly as he agents heTseyes It IS keeping OF
unequal burden to be borne by others and the conditions
get instead of better
reach its elimination further acts of congress that will
restrictions all tribal lands and all aoments
the homestead OF incompetent Indians
Oil and Gas
The unparalleled expansion and development Of the oil and
gas industry Oklahoma the value of its products and its
Importance to the nation and the state makes this subject
that calls for the careful study of makers and
tve when to legislation regulating the production,
transportation and taxation OF this OF wealth have
formula for the solution OF the complex conditions
that bound to surround the evolution and growth of this
great industry Where regulation Should be
applied wisely and in spirit of friendly constructive
the production the marketing and the saving from
waste Of these wonderful resources with which Nature her
bounde generosity appears to have underad large part
of the state Taxation of oil and production and Of the
agencies engaged in their recovery refining and marketing
should be equal and equitable The present method of
production taxation generally conceded to be the fas and
most equitable system that be applied oil and the other
subjects to which it applies The only question which
there is the rate Of tax fixed under the law of
1916 The question of whether or this arbitrary of
three percent unjust and inequable high low
question Of fact that be adjusted by comparison with
the valuation and of the tax levied other classes OF
property When this comparison exhaustvey made and the
rate shown to be nqutsbe and higher than the tax on other
species of property in Oklahoma have faith in the fairness
OF the legislature to readust the rate II cannot be so shown
then the should remain II and minded
ducer will with this reasoning rate that might have
been unfair two years be fair and vice
This industry now paying into the Golfers OF the state and
of the counties In which oil is produced which in
The i
share unjust and should be reduced but the burden on
the producers show that II unjust and nequitabe and not
the and until that showing made the candidate who
public private pledges himself its reduction TO
the other taxpayers of the Under these circumstances
stand for the enforcement Of the law until sufficient
showing of fact made to warrant the legislature in making
change.
Deveiopment Of Our Natural Resources.
The natural of state yet practically
Wdeveloped Oil and gas lead and zinc, coal marble salt
asphalt and gypsum found in unlimited quantities II
should be the aim Of all parties to the development
OF these industries For this purpose need additional capital
and in order to induce such capital to enter the state and
efforts of who wish to aid in the development OF state
and her natural will prove detrimental not only to
them but to ourselves.
Unless additional capital be made feel and is
guaranteed fair and just treatment need not expect that
development which otherwise could be for the asking
The opening and development Of natural
will bring to state large numbers OF intelligent OF high
earning capacity who will build homes and make markets
for the farmers products and otherwise the upbuldng
Of this commonwealth and II short sighted and
foolish policy place obstacles In the way Of these industries
especially view of the untold benefits that would accrue to
citizenship and the increased to the state and the
various municipalities.
Let us begin campaign of progressive development and
lend efforts toward building the state instead OF retad
ing its progress.
Transportation Is great and pressing economic problem
Old systems fail and fall overwhelmed by the rising flood OF
traffic In the world have vivid illustration OF
this and know now than before that the public