The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-03-07
Tax Pamphlet
Is the Issue


DR.. Louis Levine, Professor of Eco
nomics of the State University OF
Montana, and we'll known in this city,
has been suspended from the Faculty
of the Montana University on a charge
Of insubordination, his friends here
learned yesterday. His suspension
came on the day upon which he pub
lishcd report of an investigation ne
made intoS the taxation of mines In
Montana, in which he arrayed facts
intending to prove that the mining
interests of that State are not bear
ing their share of the burden of taxa
ton and especially the Anaconda Cop
per Mining Company, which pays
about per cent of the taxes collected
in the State and is power politically.
Professor Levine went to Montana
from this city in 1916. He had been
the economic expert for the New York
State Department of Labor and lee
turer at Columbia University. He has
already been selected to lecture at the
University's summer school this sea-
son. He is an authority on taxation
and on labor and the author of "The
Labor Movement in France" and other
works. The news of his suspension
came as surprise to some Of his
friends here and one of them in speak
ing on the subject yesterday viewed
his suspension as "the most recent in
stance of interference with academic
freedom"
Early in last year the University of
Montana assigned to Professor Levine
the task of making study of the tax
alton of property in Montana. The
tax system Of the State has been for
years the subject of criticism. He
completed his report and the following
is the version of subsequent events
given by friends here:
Montana University intended to
publish Professor Levine's report and
with this object in view late in last
year he submitted to Chancellor Ell
lot his manuscript. The latter told
him that he would have typewriter
copies made and submit them to the
members of the Montana State Board
of Education. Later the Chancellor
wrote that he thought it unwisc to
submit it and upon learning this sthe
Professor wrote that he was willing
| to publish the essay himself.
He had conference with the Chan
cellor at which it is alleged the latter
told him that the University wished to
bring the pamphlet out. 1t was the
suggestion Of the Chancellor that the
work could go into type and be held
until the Governor of the State as the
head Of the State Board of Education
should say whether it should be print
| ed or not.
Following the conference Profess
sor Levine went to Washington at the
reuuest of the Department Of Labor
| On his return, it is said, he was told
| hat if he published the report his use.
sulness to the University would De al
IN end. He published it and on Feb
Ia. the very day it appeared, Chancel
llor Elliott announced that under thu
rules Of the State Board of Education
III have suspended Professor Levine
from further duty for INSTRUMENTATION
and unprofessiona} conduct"
In his report, "The Taxation O
Mines in Montana" DR.. Levine de
clared there has been too much politic
in handling the tax situation in tina
Estate. He devoted whole chapte
to the Anaconda Copper Mining Com
pany, and this sums up that chapter:
"During the five years, i913-,T, i'll
average assessment of the Ancond
Copper Mining Company was &c pc
cent of the total assessment of tn
3 State, and the company paid 81 pc
: cent of ali taxes collected in the STATE
; The company was assessed at abou
I % per cent of it's true value of all 1t
= properties in Montana, while agricu
A turaI land is reported to have been as
s sessed at 35 per cent, live stock at a
@ bank stock at 60 per cent. Durin
the same period the Anaconda Cope
S Mining Company paid about the sam
:, number of mills on it's assessment q
t all other property in the State; bt
e the Anaconda Copper Mining Compan
p paid only about 8 mills on the est
: mated true value of this Montana prof.
q critics, while all other property pa
/ on an average Of IL to Ia mills. Ar
: finally, the Anaconda Copper Mimi
It Company paid in taxes to the Sta
e about 6 per cent Of it's income dcri'
E. ed from operations in Montana viii
e other property, especially farmir
n property, paid an average of 10 of
# per cent. This, then, is the compar
m tive tax burden in Montana in so f
n, as it can be measured on the basis
lie available data"
e The case of Professor Levine w
t. to have been taken up by the Uniyc
IF sity authorities on Monday. VIII
G. action they took is not known sere.