Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-06
'COWLEY AGAINST,
AUTO TAX BOOST
Local Man Registers Objection
to Plan Fostkred by
State Engineer.

Objection to the recommendation OF
! John n. Edy, chief engineer of the
state highway commission, that the an
nual license fee on automobiles be in
creased as a means of raising q fund
to match federal aid for Montana high
ways, is made in a communication to
The Tribune from S. J. Cowley, Great
Falls attorney. Cowley's letter. which
follows, was written following Edy's
address Friday night before the Engi-
neers' club.
my attention is directed to the item
appearing in Saturdays Tribune, hav-
ing to do with the stereopticon talk
delivered by John n. Edy, chief engi-
neer of the Montana state highway
commission. Friday night.
According to the published report Of
what occurred at that meeting, Mr.,
Edy advocates legislation whereby it is
| proposed to increase the annual license
fee on motor vehicles for the purpose
| of raising additional revenues for road
| construction. He also warns us that
81. 900, 600 of federal aid will go back
TO the treasury unless it can be matched
by a like amount raised by us on or
before June 30 next.
Would Cease Spending
I'm connection with the foregoing,
beg leave to respectfully submit the
suggestion that the people of this
county shut their ears to foolish sug-
gestions and call a halt on the public
money raising and public money spend
ing epidemic until such time as We
have had opportunity to take on inven-
tory of our financial condition and as
certain the point to which we have
drifted.
In the hurry with which this letter
is necessarily written. | have not ac-
cess to the figures which would dis
close the financial condition of the state
as of this date. but from such data as
lies before me. | conclude that the
condition is sufficiently alarming tC
excite the concern of the taxpayer
For instance, the balance sheet of thu
state government. general n March
!. 1918. discloses the sum Of S153,46s
on hand. while the same fund on the
same date in 1921 shows an overdraft
of S2,231,1OO In other words. in the
three years between March l. 1913
and March 1, 1921. this fund has suf-
fered a reversal of S2,3S4,56S. Just
what caused this reversal. | do not
know. nor have | had the time to find
out. but the fact that it has occurred is
sufficient. to my mind. to warrant the
suggestion that we commit ourselves &c
no scheme of legislation for raising and
spending of public moneys, until we
know where we ere.
Against Auto Tax Raise
"As 10 the suggestion that the motor
vehicle license fee be increased. | beg
TO register my disapproval. The last
time the motor vehicle license fee was
juggled. the tax on some classes of cars
was increased 1913 per cent. This tax
increase was unconscionable from any
point of view, and l not only oppose its
still further increase. but decidedly ia
vor a reduction Of the present motor
vehicle license fee.
In the face of the financial condi-
ton which confrOnts the treasury Of
this state. ] do not think that any
legislation should be advocated which
will tend TO increase the tax burden
but. OF the contrary. feel that the best
minds of the state ought 10 be directed
TO the task of devising means and orig
mating legislation which will relieve
the people of this burden.
Just so long as We continue making
demands upon the county, state and
municipal treasures. just that long
will taxes increase. We have got tc |
quit spending money before taxes can
be reduced"