Great Falls tribune., 1922-04-23
GROWERS INDORSE CHANGE
IN MONTANA CONSTITUTION
State Stockmen Favor Tariff on Imports and
Urge Passage of Pure Fabric Law
by Congress.
Special to The Tribune.


Butte, April 22.-Protesting that the
cost of government is "too great" anC
that taxes in the state are too high
yet refusing to indorse state tax com
mission, the Montana Stock Growers
association at its annual meeting II
Butte recently, indorsed the proposed
constitutional amendment to be sub.
mitted to the voters of the state at the
next general election providing for q
change in the form of county govern
ments by majority vote. F
A proposal to indorse the proposed
tax commission was introduced In the
resolutions committee, but was killed
there on the grounds that it was q
political matter.
Following are the resolutions
adopted by the stock growers:
Whereas, The United States biolog-
ical survey is obtaining excellent re-
suits in the determination Of predatory
animals, and we commend their work;
now therefore, be it
Resolved, That we recommend the
bounty law be repealed and that the
money collected under the bounty tax
be spent under the direction of the
livestock commission in cooperation
with the biological survey, provided
that if the biological survey should not
equal the amount collected from the
tax the livestock commission shall de-
eide on the expenditure Of the balance;
Resolved, That the Montana Stock
Growers association believes that the
rentals or state lands for grazing pur-
poses is fixed at a rate beyond that
which the industry can stand, and that
the state board of land commissioners
be respectfully requested to make re
ductions therein as has been done IN
neighboring grazing states;
Resolved, That this association urge
our representatives in congress to give
their support to the law proposed TO,
extending the existence Of ~ War
Finance corporation for at least II
months;
Ask Rental Reduction
Resolved, By the Montana Stock
Growers association, that we recon-
mend that the Indian service review
the leases on various reservations
where reductions are requested and if
possible reduce the rental charges
thereof to a basis more consistent with
present conditions;
Resolved, That the Montana Stock
Growers association believes that the
to all classes of applicants permits for
so long a time as is possible without
interfering with the efficiency of the
forest service:
Whereas, livestock rates on rail
roads are at present heavy burden
on the stock interests of Montana and
whereas. livestock rates from the west
to terminal points were reduced by 20
per cent January /, effective July /,
1922,
Resolved, that that reduction be
made permanent by the interstate
commerce commission, and we also
request that the policy Of further
reduction in railroad rates be adopted
rather than any increase which our
industry cannot bear.
lndorses Amendment
Whereas, taxes in the state of Mon
tana are excessive and the cost of
government too great, and.
Whereas, it is our belief that re-
ductions in the cost of government and
adjustments Of the tax burdens de-
mand attention,
Resolved, that the association in
dorses the constitutional amendment
which is to be decided at the election
in November, which provides for
changing the form Of county govern
mcnt by majority vote.
Resolved. that the association rec
ommends that the following schedule
Of values be used for taxation pur
poses for the year 1922. on sheep on
grazing lands and that the county as