The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1922-02-22
STATE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION.

A large body of men, representing practically
every line of indeavor including farmer, laborer.
merchant, manufacturer, doctor and lawyer, met
at Billings last week and organized a State Tax
payers Association. Gathered at this meeting
were representatives from every part of the
state. Two days were consumed in discussing the
many opinions and suggestions for Tightening the
burdens of the taxpayer.
Speakers appeared before the gathering to tell
of the great weight of taxes now carried by the
various industries throughout the state, while
others expressed ideas and offered suggestions
for making the burden less cumbersome. All
those gathered at this meeting displayed a keen
desire to have the taxes of the state distributed
in an equitable manner upon the many industries
and properties so that each will carry it's fair share
of state expense.
Governor Joseph NJ. Dixon was the principle
speaker at the meeting, having been invited to
attend and offer such advise as he deemed useful.
He spoke to the men gathered, giving many fig
ures covering the state expenses, the distribution
of the taxes collected for maintaining the many
departments Of the state and the cost of operating
state affairs. He advised caution in whatever
action might be taken at the meeting, while sug-
costing methods such an organization might fol-
low with BENEFICIAL results to the taxpayers.
Fear expressed in some quarters that the organ
ization formed at Billings might become a radical
and disturbing element in the state was quieted
when the selection of directors was made. Those
selected to guide the destinies of the association
are level headed careful men of affairs. All are
successful in their particular vocation and many
of them prominent in activities of the state.
The program adopted by the association is one
that can be favored by any person who desires to
see Montana continue to develop in it's many in
dustrial and commercial possibilities. 1t carried
no wild alarms, offered no threats, limited at moth
ing irregular nor did it carry a wall of woe. There
was good sound logic in the resolutions, and il
these can be carried out to an effective r~ealiza.
tion, Montana will benefit.
1t is not to be expected everything contained II
the program can be carried out. Reorganization
of the present taxation system, better highway
regulations, and concentration of authority ovel
public officials are not new to the people of thi
state. These are desirable corrections of tn,
present condition of state affairs. Graduated in
come and inheritance taxes under proper laws will
do much to relieve the present burden of schoo
taxation. The advisability of a constitutions
convention is a much mooted question. Man,
believe the present constitution is inadequate t.
meet the conditions as now exist in Montana
Others believe the constitution. is so sacred i
should never be changed and others appear t.
want it unmolested because it just suits thei
needs. Whether or not the result of a ~constitu
tional convention would be commensurate witt
the cost, or would bring the relief so much de
sired in some respects, is an uncertainty. h
would all depend upon the calibre of the me-
elected to the convention.
There is much to be done in Montana whicl
can be done by an association of those who carr.
? the burden of taxation. If personal benifts ar
4 eliminated, and the best interests of the state a
, a whole are kept in mind, great good may b
: worked.