The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-03-11
WHAT The STATE PRESS
SAYS OF THE SESSION
Continued from Page 81

Cne special legislature, Lne LAX COIL
mission bill ranks with the worst. No
possible good could follow it's enact
ment. X X X A referendum measure
almost identical in it's provisions was
rejected by the voters at the last
election, and nobody can understand
just why Governor Dixon and his fol-
lowers insist upon doing what the
people have so recently declared they
did not want done, except on the the
DRY that men in office believe those
out of office don't know what is best
for them. The attitude of the Cover
nor toward the proposed tax commits
sion is the less Understandable be-
cause Of his frequently repeated
charge that previous administrations
were overloaded with boards and
commissions and that in the interest
of public economy they should be
done away with. In some degree the
charge was well founded; and it's
truth is effective argument against
adding another to a list already too
long"
The Lewistown Democrat : News
(Democratic) in a little different view
of the situation would suggest that
the Governor has an ill-advised con-
ception of what economy on legislative
affairs at this time means. This pa
per points out the saving already per-
fected in the new tax levies for the
higher educational institutions.
The Democrat-New Oewistown)
at is our judgment that the wiser
course would have been to insist up
on retrenchment, and an attempt to
get along with the present taxes for
another two years. The floating in
d~ebtedness could be funded in some
manner, pending the return of nor
NAL times, when the entire subject of
taxation could have been taken up
and adjusted in some more equitable
manner The people last November
voluntarily voted an additional state
tax of one and one-half mills. This
new levy saves the present admin
istration the trouble of finding the
seven or eight hundred thousand dol
lars annually required for the con-
duct of our institutions of higher ed
ucation. With such an advantage
over the previous administration, it
will appear that the imposition of
still more taxes should be held safe
ly in allegiance"
A much similar attitude is main
tanned by the Billings Gazette (Repub-
lican). This paper calls attention to
President Harding's plea for decreased
income and other taxes.
The Gazette (Billings)
"This paper would reiterate it's
views that the people of the state
prefer not new and expensive COM
missions, which spell increased tax
alton, but rather the elimination of
many now in existence. In other
words, If this paper properly under
stands the sentiment of the pople of
. the state, it is that the people want
reductions rather than increases in
: the cost of government, and they be-
lleve that there is ample opportunity
for retrenchment at the state capitol.
Consequently they will look with dis
favor on the calling of the extra ses-
sion, especially when three of the five
issues must perforce be regarded as
inconsequential. Nor do the people
favor the plan of piling up a surplus,
especially in these %troublous financial
hours. They are more inclined to
agree with President Harding, who
urged a reduction in income and
other forms of taxation"
The Gazette in another editorial
flags the Governor as failing to live up
to his prediction pledges, and calls
attention to the fact that the people
, voted for Mr.. Dixon for Governor but
they voted against a tax commission.
The Billings Gazette (Billings) Mar.
"Mr. Dixon was elected governor of
the state by an extremely large plur-
ality, after a campaign based largely
upon economic reforms in the con
duct of the government. 1t can not
be forgotten that at the same election
the people We're given opportunity tc
vote on a constitutional amendment
creating a state tax commission and
divesting the board Of equalization OF
powers which it was proposed to con.
fer on the new organization. This
constitutional amendment was de.
feated by a large ,0Ot
votes in more than 40 of the so coun.
ties in the state. 1t is, therefore
quite patent that people wanted Mr.
Dixon for governor, but that they die
not want a tax commission"
The Great Falls Leader Republican
deals with the matter in a review o
the accomplishments of the Seven
teenth regular session from the view
point of the amount of revenue avail
able as the result of the bills alread,
passed. In their comment they con
tradict the statement of the Governo,
that these measures will fail to suppl,
the needed funds for state government
The Leader (Great Falls) -. 49,. ..
: "The Governor recommended
number of measures, some aimed a
curtailments in state expenditures
: others designed to raise additions
revenues, nearly all of which mea
e sures have been enacted into Law
some not in the form suggested bu
in a manner deemed best by the as
sembly to produce the desired result:
and the Dixon administration, it i
estimated, will have in a few month
more available funds in the stat
treasury than has any previous ad
ministration since Montana entere
statehood. Added to the revenue t
! L. Jl fsz-. - -