Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-09-22
POLITICS AND BUSINESS

POLITICS AND BUSINESS
POSITIVE neglect of routine
! business on the part of the
state board Of equalization is at
tracing statewide attention. Men
and women everywhere, all over
Montana, who are taking note OF
public service are astounded at the
revelations that are now coming
out of Helena in this regard. We
take the following paragraph from
The Tribune's current news re-
port:
AS far as actual results go,
the board has done nothing
this season. Not a railroad,
power company, telephone,
telegraph, ferry or ditch COM
pany operating intercounty
properties has had its assess
ment finally fixed by the
board.
The month of September is two
thirds gone. On the first of Octo-
Der, tax books are to be In the
hands of the county treasurer. Still
in this same news report we find
the governor spending the time of
the present week making speeches
at several fairs. Now The Trib-
une has no particular objection to
offer when the governor of a state
makes a political speech at a coun-
ty fair. Of course this is some
what of a departure in the conduct
of such institutions. Until modi-
fled by the present state admins
trations, general picnics and fairs
were regarded as places where non
political speeches should be made
MI. Dixon and his party sup
porters have put aside the prece,
dent. The governor has been u.s.
ing his opportunity on these public
occasions to tell the people that
this commonwealth will 60 to the
demnition bow-wows unless a leg
islature is elected which will dc
his bidding.
Perhaps it isn't a matter OF grea'
importance whether or not Mr.
Dixon makes political speeches al
county fairs, but it Is a matter OF
mighty serious concern when hs
goes gallivanting up and down the
state and, as a direct result, the
state board of equalization neg
lects to perform the executive
functions which are specifically
provided by law.
County treasurers all over Mon
tana are keeping the telephone no
irving to find out when they cal
get the tax books. 1t will perhaps
be in order pretty soon to ask TIT
attorney general-who ought t.
know what the state board O
equalization is required to do
why it doesn't meet and work
Somebody will be asking him fo'
an opinion pretty soon about wha
the law is in this regard, and, fur
ther, if indeed there is any wa!
whereby members of the stat
board of equalization can be re
ouired to perform the duties tina
are prescribed by statute.
Mr.. Dixon is quite fond of max
ing statements about the financia
situation in the state. Apparently
it does not occur to him that tn
business administration of Mon
tana has been breaking down eve
since he went into office. Their
has been no real attempt at econ
omy. It isn't necessary to presen
specific figures upon this point
The way things are done at tn
state house has become a matte
of common knowledge. There ar
pears to be discord everywhere.
This newspaper does not wish t
criticise at all beyond what is pei
missible on account of clearly es
tablished and proven facts. TIL
question, however, is decidedly i
order at the present moment
When will the state board of equa
ization meet and 60 to work?
UIIE pONIIC VETO