The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1922-02-24
MIME ATTORNEY pl0oLoSEs IN.
rEREsrINo FACTS At sTArE
MEETING OF TAxPAYERS
FAvoRs TAXPAYERS CLUBS
p1oeAroe Future Of Treasure state De-
pendent on Coordination Of In.
dustnes and Cooperation o.
Its cItIzsns 1S1Si

yT FT W. -
BMlings-The future Of Montana de
ponds upon the coordination Of its In
Hustries and the cooperation Of al
~ citizens to the end that Its match
less resources may be developed and
that It may be made the home Of q
happy and eontented people, was the
theme Of the address made by D. NJ
Kelly. representing the Anaconda Cop
per Mining company before the tax
payers Of the state in convention in
Billings Wednesday.
4. Mr.. Kelly characterized the present
movement OF forming taxpayers
leagues as one Of the most important
steps that has been taken by the peo'
pie Of the state, stating that hereto
tore the people have been interested
only In raising money for public use,
and have never shown any interest In
what their money was spent for. He
urged the taxpayers gathered to do
everything in their power to see that
not another name vas added to the
pay roll Of the state until the state
government has recovered from its I'M
fortunate condition. During his talk
MI. Kelly discussed the much-discussed
question of the taxes paid by the Ana
conda Copper Mining company.
He said:
"Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
II wish to express my appreciation
to those in charge Of the program Of
these meetings for the opportunity Of
forded me, as a representative Of the
Anaconda Copper Mining company, to
be here, and to take part in the dis.
,c%ussions of our common problems.
Importance Of Taxpayers Leagues
II feel that no more important move
!ment has been initiated in a quarter
of a century in Montana than the
movement that is now on foot through
out the length and breadth of this
state in the organization Of taxpay-
ers' leagues to study the question of
taxation, and the expenditures Of our
government. Too long have the tax
payers of this state spent all of their
time and energy In connection with tax
questions in seeking ways and means
Of raising public revenues, giving little,
If any. thought to the question Of pub
lie expenditures. The government,
like individuals, when things are pros
porous and money easy to get, be-
comes profligate in it's expenditures,
and while the farmer, the merchant,
the manufacturer, the miner and the
lumber man were all prospecting no
thought was given to, any limitation OF
public expenditures.
Only Farm Products Yield Revenue
During the year just closed the
mining Industry Of this state was prac-
closed down, the lumber mills
western Montana were at
~standstill, the merchant was strug-
Cling to absorb the deflation Of values.
The winter Of 1919 and 1920, following
he dry year of 1919, placed the live
stock business in a deplorable situa-
Ion, a condition from which 1t will
AXE several years to recover Prac-
the only resourc that yielded
real revenue in Montana In 1921
vas the products Of the farm, namely,
wheat, oats, barley. rye and flax; and
yet the entire gross income Of the grain
,rops Of Montana in 1921 would not
sufficient to meet the actual tax
'evies OF the state and Its subdivisions.
the cost of government reaches
his point under these conditions II IA
time that the taxpayers lay aside poll.
les and give some attention to public
business.
IN 1913, when admittedly we had
the peak OF the high cost Of
labor and supplies, when the farm
pr paid So per day and board for q
Farmland, when miners and mecban-
|cs were earning from SIS 10 s15 per
lay, and when every commodity on
he market was commanding prices
hitherto unknown, the taxes levied on
property In this state for all purposes
amounted to S21.5G 900. In 1921,
when. In my Judgment, we did not
'eed any more government than we
needed in 1918, and when no doubr
had more people than if hod
n l92l, the property taxes Of this
tate levied for all purposes. amounted
o nearly S21.5OO,0OO, and vet this
OF taxes was not sufficient ia
meet the cost of government, rs Is owl
fenced by the millions of dollars ~
registered warrants and bonds issued
throughout this state, not only for pub-
'c Improvement but to meet the nm
ing expenses Of government. But this
: not all. In 1912 the total taxes col
ected in Montana was s11,2447,9
compare this with 1921. when the tota,
axes levied were $27.443,OOO, and ask
'ourseif whether or not the 1921 gov
of the state Of Montana and
rs subdivisions was worth two and
'ne-half times as much as that of
912.
State Payroll Increased
in January, 1913, when l took office
n the state capitol, we had just com
'leted and occupied the magnificent
lew wings to our state capitol. Every
'fricer and board was provloeo WIN
magnificent quarters, and there were
'acant offices IN every floor. 1t
ooked as though We had a capitol
'uilding that would meet the needs Of
dontana for at least 25 years, and yet
oday this building is packed to the
oof with boards, bureaus and officers,
nd we have built two large buildings