The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-02
SENATE OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA
Helena. Feb. "a. 1929

20 N--S" was pAllCu OH yes
terday. The majority report of the
committee on taxation was to kill the
gross meta lmine tax. The minori-
ty insisted that the question should
come on the floor for debate but the
controversy only gave the copper men
a chance to get up and display their
eloquence and loyalty to the Ana
conda whose representatives were on
hand to witness the triumph and to
take note of scores made their diff
ferent performers.
In the Governors as well as in
other state Offices it is claimed that
the state cannot run on the money
provided by legislature. There are
two things to do; either shut up the
state institutions, such as the state
prison, the reform school, the uni
versity, etc., or else call an extra ses-
sion Of the legislature. The only
hope is that the men voting to
strangle the mine tax will be given
to understand from home what the
constituents think of them. A moral
coward subject to be bought usually
is just as much of a coward when
faced by the Indignation of his fell
low men. 1t would of course be less
expensive to hold the legislature now
than to call it later.
The procedure by which the matter
was handled showed plainly that ev-
erything was cut and dried and-if
for no other reason-this alone would
be enough to make any senator object
to the strangling process if he would
be fair. 1 am pleased and proud to
say that Senator McCone swayed not
bit although the two representa-
tives from Dawson forsook their
people. But what can 1 say of Sena-
tor Adams of Richland, Peterson of
Valley and Lowe of RoOsevelt-all
three representing agricultural coun-
ties. By rising to explain their votes
they made themselves only more con-
temptible. Imagine this hero of a
farmer, Peterson, who supplanted
the corrupt democratic machine in
Valley county. Hero, yes, I should
say so, he has boldly attacked the
highway commission just about like
lion. Oh man such ferocious cour-
age displayed against something al
ready condemned to slaughter. Then
he introduced bill which was destin-
ed to put the farmers on the map and
the banker out Of business. Every
body knew what chance such legisla-
ton had in reactiOnary senate, that
has just passed law under which
you are liable to Jail sentence, etc.,
if you use the milk or eggs from
mortgaged COW or hen. But this and
more radical stuff will be needed to
justify the farmer hero in voting to
Strangle the measure that more than
any other his constituents not only
wished given a chance of hearing but
wanted him to vote and work for, the
mine tax Had he forgotten that the
farmers of Valley county are over
taxed Why was he afraid to tax the
mines? Because he was not sure
how much they should pay" he says.
Why then tax the farmers at all? He
certainly knows they are. playing a
losing game. Oh no, such rubbish
will not pass for good reason in Val
ley county nor anywhere else.
Another measure was of a great
deal of Importance to the agricultur-
al counties-Haalands anti-discrim-
nation bill In this case this farmer
hero again used the same logic. He
knew the old-time elevators were
freezing out the farmers elevators
thus hurting the farmers but he was
afraid to stop it by law for the rea-
son that it might be unfair to 9TH
ers." Under Haalands anti-discrim-
alton bill and elevator concern could
not raise the price of grain at one
place to beat competition and at the
same time to pay less for it in an
other place. His theory seems to be
to champion the worthless or impos-
sible and to oppose what is worth
while. To top it off of course he
fairly roars for economy. In this
matter I believe he, as everybody
else, is sincere.
Now you can be prepared to hear
of my personal failings. I am will
ing to be ridiculed, etc., but will still
remain true to McCone County and
Montana.
PETER RORVIK.