Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-04-09
What Nonpartisan League
Has Done to North Dakota

$23S hail tax He had no hail
losses, but considers the hail tax
cheap insurance and is quite will
ing to bear it for the possible pro-
lection. Many farmers not so well
fixed financially as Mr.. Hunt do
object to the hail tax, however.
They assert that hail hits in cer-
tain areas and that they are not
in the path of usual hail danger.
By specifically asking for cxemp
tion such farmers may be relieved
of paying a hail premium of about
twenty-five cents an acre, but must
stand the flat tax of three cents an
acre laid on participants and non
participants alike
One of these exempted farmers
is quoted as having said
'It is only $3.50 that l am forced
to pay into the hail fund, but that
is just $3.50 more than, Il want to
contribute for something tnat
cannot get anything out Of
The press OF the state is full of
specific instances of tax increases;
the opposition press challenging. as
serting; the league press explaining
or denying AS the time comes for
penalties on the 1919 tax, many are
getting their tax statements and
the chorus of complaint increases.
| was told that a sort of mouth to-
mouth propaganda was being passed
over the state not to pay taxes un-
til the last day of October and thus
kill off state ownership for lack
of funds. To do so would add a
seven per cent penalty to taxes, but
would doubtless put the league gov
ernment on starvation rations.
One of the points which the
league opponents harp on most is
that the state is running further
and further behind with it's obliga-
tions. The educational institutions
of the state will have a six-months
deficit, it is said.
State Auditor Kositsky recently
asserted that the unpaid claim.
against the state totalled $390,619.
43. AS a sample of how expens,
had mounted he points out tina
the state capitol pay roll in 1911
was in round figures $4,000
month, while in 1919 it had leapet
to $4,000 month This year will
show still larger total, which h
calls "the cost of Townleyism.
i League papers and speakers tea
into with zest and enthusiasm, 81
North Dakota is the vortex of
wordy tornado. Here rs mil,
sample from the Fargo Forum:
~. B. Sayler, of Bismark. VIII
owns and farms 400 acres in EN-
mons county, received his tax state
ment the other day Last year MI
Sayler's taxes for all purposes wer
$74.16. This year they are $226.0
The latter item includes $6275 70
hail insurance Mr.. SayIer surfere
considerable hail loss last summer
His loss was adjusted and the stat
auditor has mailed him a warrant
He took the warrant over to tn
Bank of North Dakota and he wa
advised there was nothing doing
Local banks have informed hin
that they cannot afford to take Vi
the warrants. Mr.. Sayler is one o
1880 to whom the state owe
$3,50O,OO for hail indemnity VIII
are similarly situated"
There is more of this tenor, an
then the following sarcastic con
clusion: Mr.. Sayler has farmed al
his life. He came to North Dakot
from northern Indiana. He see
prospects of remarkable influx O
thrifty middle western farmers a
n result of the $50 per cent in
crease In taxes. exclusive of the cos
OF state hail insurance"
Here is something little NOR
in the North Dakota language. al
tributed to ]. p. Runck. Casseltor
North Dakota. in stopping his sui
scription to league newspaper:
'"You and your tribe of Bolsht
viks and l. w. WIS at Bismar
have raised my taxes so that car
not afford to pay five dollars
year for the kind of slop you al
dishing up for news.
II have farmed successfully II
years in North Dakota and do M
see why should be dictated to /
lot of foreigners, nontaxpaye
and l. w. VS."
The league answer is that tax Il
creases are due to the decreas'
purchasing power Of the dolls
Minnesota and Wisconsin state tax
have been increased even more.
is quite likely that Minnesota a.
Wisconsin. being rich states. a
careless about expenses and do r
find taxes as much Of a burden