The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-02-14

Helena, Mont, Feb. 13.-The
bill providing for a state income
tax in Montana, was saved from
death in the lower house this
morning when the speakers vote
broke a tie, on acceptance of a
favorable report from majority
of the committee on revenue and
taxation.
The metal mines tax bill, pro-
posing l per cent license tax on
gross production of metal mines
survived an attack led by Lown-
des Maury of Silver Bow county,
and Joseph Oker of Lewis and
Clark, this afternoon, and was
recommitted to the committee
on revenue and taxation at the
request of Republican Floor
Leader Swift, chairman of that
committee.
The measure, after going through
committee once, had been set as spe-
ciai order of business in committee of
the whole for 2 o'clock this afternoon.
Instead, Swift asked it's recommittal.
Maury argued that the measure
might be disposed of Immediately,
with changes made in committee of
the whole. Oker attempted to kill the
measure definitely by striking out thu
enacting clause, but the speaker de-
ciared his motion out of order. The
vote to send it back to the standing
committee was 81 to so.
Both Representatives Oker and H
G. Rodgers, of Beaverhead county, re.
ferred in talks on the floor to a mys-
terious substitute HOUSE bin No.
81" which they declared has beer
printed and which they assert they
have seen although no such substi
tute bill has been introduced. Tht
rnetal mines tax bill is II. B. 81.
About the same time this morning
that the Senate was receiving a re
port from the special committee Il
investigate state boards and commits
sions, headed by J. ". Speer, OF Grea
Falls, recommending that the stat'
fair be limited in its expenditure t.
legislative appropriations and be no
allowed 70 spend income OF the fan
the lower house heard introduction o
bill by w. S. Mccormick, of Flat
head county. Clair Stoner, of Sheri
dan, and A. T. Larson, of Sheridan
which would abolish the state fair en-
tirely.
Three reports were given in tn
Senate by the committee headed b
Speer. That on the state fair recon-
nnended abolishment of the state fai
revolving appropriation account an
repeal of the authority given the d.
partment of agriculture TO expen
money taken in by the fair, saying
''The history of the fair shows ths
in nearly every instance the manag'
nnent has been unduly optimistic
estimating future income"
The other two reports by that con
Ynittee recommended abolishment
the office of state entomologis
whose work has been almost entire
~ combating Rocky Mountain spo
ted fever in western Montana, and Il
taking over of most of the work
the state department of entomoloe
cy the extension service of the Sta
College at Bozeman; and found tn
the state hail insurance board is sci
supporting, recommending its CONT
U2nce on the present basis.
The special Senate committee hea
ed by Senator w. J. Paul, of Pow,
county to investigate state office
brought in a supplemental report
its first report on the state treasu
eT's office. 1t recommended consoli
alton of Ice special funds, which pre-
eut laws require the treasurer to kee
INTO II funds with subdivisions.
When the two houses convened Il
morning the record Of bills init
duced totalled 455. Seven more we
introduced in the Senate and "a me
in the House Four more House bi
were approved by Governor J.
Dixon today, Nos. IA, 64, 65 and
and House joint memorial No. 4 "
signed, bringing the number of me;
Ures passed by the present legislatT
Continued on Page Five.)