Great Falls tribune., 1921-12-20

Absolutely non-partisan in nature,
but with the opinion expressed by
members that it may be able to ac-
cemplish its full purpose only by
interesting itself. in matters political
in nature, the Montana Taxpayers
association came into being in Great
Falls. Monday at meeting at Hotel
Rainbow called by John Queckenden
of Lewist6wn. N. B. Hotter Of Helena
was elected president of the associ-
alton at an evening session Of the
executive committee, G. B. Bourne
of Havre vice president, A. A. Frankie
Of Lewistown secretary and w. j..
johnson of LewistoWn treasurer.
The announced purpose of the associ-
alton is to maintain non-political
citizen agency for promoting efficiency
and economy in the management of
public business in Montana; to COM
pile and publish information concerning
the expenditure Of public money; to
assist and cooperate with county and
municipal taxpayers association and
public finances and ''to do all things
necessary and proper to carry these
objects into effect"
Says Politics Necessary
Exception to the position that as
sociation should be rigidly non-poltical
in nature was taken by +. E. Strana-
that he believed in hitting a head
when it needed to be hit"
'The trouble always is with the
state legislature. he continued, 'and
to go a little further, the trouble with
the legislature is always the machine.
thought the purpose Of this associ-
alton would be to throw a monkey
wrench into that machine. / would
propose that we step on anybody s
toes when that seems the thing to do.
We must take the bull by the horns
and go after this thing hammer and
tongs. We must be political, but this
association is and must remain abb
solutely non-partisan.
Donian for Economy
Senator Edward Donlan of NIissoula
led the applause when Mr.. Stranahan
concluded, and declared that he had
been in the state legislature so long
that he could not remember when he
endeayored to keep taxes down.
But you can't buck the machine
alone" Mr.. Stranahan interrupted
A. Fl. Gray, Great Falls delegate in
the meeting, stated that the associa-
tion could accomplish much by giving
its support to public officials who made
n record for economy, and by arraying
itself against those whose administra-
tions were inefficient and extravagant,
but that party preferences would have
no place in the associations program.
at is my idea that the association
should support man on any ticket if
he is the right kind" he declared.
Mr. Gray recounted the work of the
Cascade county association and related
the "disinfectant case which the or
ganization, he said, uncovered. He
referred to it as the act of an official,
whom he did not name, who was un-
worthy of the associations support.
The county, lie continued uses one
barrel of disinfectant year, and re-
Gently a supply sufficient for 20 years
was purchased.
Executive Committee Governs
The state associations constitution
and BY laws and the personnel of the
executive committee, which will be the
governing body of the organization
were recommended to the meeting by
q committee composed by G. {. Bron-
son of Havre, F. T. Haynes of Forsyth
and J. G.. Price of Conrad, who We're
appointed by Chairman Quickenden
Secretary Frankie read draft Of the
constitution and bylaws to the meeting