, 1923-01-11
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tCOnttnuoo rom are mel
sets forth, are taxed too high and the
mineral products too low. He recon-.
mends enactment of a "severance
license taxi law similar to that Of
Louisiana, under which all minerals
produced would be taxed. Such a
system. he states, probably would pro-
luce for Wyoming a greater revenue
than the 81. ooo. 900 annually derived
by Louisiana from its law. 1.-THE
constitution OF our state now pro-
hibits the taxation Of mines.'' say the
message. SIN order TO be able to
collect anything but a mere pittance
from this class of property we should
have the benefit of a severance
license tax law. II this class OF prop
erty were taxed by this method It
would bring into the state treasury a
substantial sum, thereby relieving
many of our citizens to a certain ex-
tent Of paying an unjust proportion
of the state expense. The consttu.
ton relative 10 taxation OF mines
should be amended so that a proper
and Just method OF requiring them to
pay their full share OF the state ex-
pense should be enacted into law.
while the constitution is being
amended the severance license tax
Iasf seems to be the only possible
method I o secure a small proportion
OF taxes due from mines and min
erals"
The governor recommends h n
aefInent Of legislation designed to pro-
tect children and women from too
heavy and unhealthful employment.
afIE 49, NAIaxnNa9 child Ia hOr
Misunderstanding its own future" he
says, adding hat Much as We may
dislike to admit II, the fact undoubt-
edly is tina Wyoming lags behind her
sister states in labor laws" The mes
sage also recommends legislation to
minimize the hazards Of employment
in mines. and TO protect wage earn
ers from loss of wages. Discussing
the workmen's compensation law,
many suggestions for amendment OF
which have been made recently, the
governor suggests that tho legisla,
ture may well consider whether 1t
would not be better to increase the
amount of the awards rather than
reduce the assessments"
Obedience to the prohibition law.
the governor suggests, would be more
general were II provided that a first
offender should be imprisoned, would
be more general were Il provided that
a first offender should be imprisoned
for not less than six months. as well
as mulct a fine. The penalty for
manufacturing Intoxicating liquor.
he suggests. should be heavier than
that for selling liquor. inasmuch as
those engaged in the sale Of II"
0iauor), would be forced out of bust
ness II, the manufacture of It should
cease. Removal of county officers
who refuse or neglect to enforce the
prohibition law is advocated, and ii
further il suggested that sheriffs and
prosecuting attorneys ''be required to
forward to tho governor monthly re
ports showing the conditions existing
in their counties IN order TO enable
the executive to keep in touch With
the situation in zach locality" The
message recommends that the licen-
sing OF druggists to sell liquor for
medical purposes. and of physIclans to
prescribe It, be discontinued"
Governor Ross recommends legisla-
ton to increase the amount of state
funds available for farm loans from
$1,000 900 to $4,000, 600, and also legis
latIon authorizing the investment of
state funds in the securities Of irriga-
ton districts.
Relating that the state hal reached
its bonded Limitation. the governor
calls TO the attention Of the ~lcglsla'
tuIe. without recommendation other
tina for consideration" the recon-
m%endations OF the state highway
commissioner that the financing of
the state highway department be pro-
vided for by a tax of two cents a gal
Ion on gasoline. n levy of one mill on
all taxable property in the state and a
direct appropriation of $500 900. The
executive. however. discusses at some
lCngth the necessity for maintaining
the 2.400 miles of highway construct
ed by the state and the 200 miles now
under construction. and for providing
for continuance of tho highway con-
struction program in cooperation with
the federal government.
Governor Ross expresses concern
regarding tho rapid increase In d.