Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-10-31
THE TAX QUESTION

zens Of Montana will be called
on to pay their taxes, for state,
county and city government and for
schools. In spite of a somewhat
lower basis of valuation than pre-
vailed a year ago as a general prop
osition they will find the sum total
OF their taxes as large or larger
than before, due to a higher tax
levy. A month later ,on January l.,
federal income taxes, federal super
taxes, capital stock taxes become
due, though some months Of grace
are given for payment of these
taxes before a penalty attaches.
Then there is the state income tax
also for corporations, gross pro-
ceeds tax for some kinds of pro-
duction, automobile tax, license
taxes and a lot more kinds Of. spe-
ciaI taxes due and payable to the
state, the county, the city and the
nation.
In addition to all these there is
a host of indirect taxes which we
mostly overlook, taxes on borrow
ed money represented by the reve-
nue. stamps used on notes, certifi-
Gates of stock and many other
things. There is also the indirect
tax that comes from the tariff and
is represented in higher prices.
We are getting to be one OF the
most taxed nations in the world,
and not many years ago we were
one Of the most lightly taxed ma
lions. In many cases citizens are
paying three and four times as
much taxes as they did a few years
ago. 1t is a great burden. 1t IS
one of the reasons why prosperous
citizens Of a few years ago are
hard up now and find it hard to
pay their axes.
Under such circumstances it is
not strange that the average clti-
zen is in a somewhat peevish frame
Of mind over the subject of taxa
ton and ripe to listen to the siren
song of the demagogue who tells
him that some other fellow ought
to paw his taxes for him because
he is to blame for the high rate
of taxation, having lodged his tar
share of the tar burden. No doubt
there is some tax lodging. 1t is not
confined to big corporations or
wealthy individuals, however. You
can find the tax dodger everywhere
and among every class of citizens,
be they rich or poor.
Moreover, VIE are all to blame
for the increasing burden OF tax
alton. We asked for a good deal
of it ourselves. No uncomfortable
part Of the increased tax burden
comes from increased charges fol-
interest and sinking fund for bonds
issued, and in every case, with ont
exception the bonds were issued be-
cause a majority Of the voters votee
to issue them. The exception Is
about Aalf a million dollars in state
bonds which were issued to put
down an instruction or repel ar
invasion of the state of Montana
where no instruction or invasion
existed. The money was used tt
finance farmers in seed purchases
and the hocus pocus of an insur
rection or invasion was used Sc
as to get rid of the necessity OF
state election to authorize TIT
bonds and thus save time and Elk
pense and get around the consti
tutional prohibition against the is
sue of bonds without the consen
of a majority of the voters. W.
have also beseiged state legisla
lures, boards of county commits
sioners; and city councils, demand
ing appropriations for schemes 70
the public welfare, and urged then
to spend money for which we af
forwards cursed them when pay da,
came around. Yes, the taxpayer
are themselves very largely t
blame for indifference if not &C
tual encouragement extended to
ward the keepers of the publ
purse as TO extravagant spending
Now we are also cursed by
lot Of political aspirants with axe
to grind who are telling the voter
that they can lessen. their taxes b
adding new axes. The invariabl
experience past shows that ne
taxation schemes do not lessen pres
.nt taxes but only increase then
There is just one safe, sane an
sure way to lessen taxes, and tina
is to cease spending SO much NOR
ey for governmental purposes. N
politician wants to do that. H