The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1924-04-02

SOA pCI atloII anu Industry Is COM i
PEELED to pay on a gross, or cash
valuation basis; and it is. and I
has been for a number of years, |
the opinion Of the common peo-
pie of the state that the copper
ownership, control or subsidiza-
ton of the daily, and to some ex-
tent, the weekly press of the
state, will automatically cease as
soon as the mines pay their just
and equitable portion Of taxes
needed in the conduct of the pub
lie business of the state govern
ment, and corruption of legisla-
lures and kindred evils will also
become a thing Of the past if
the new law, as initiated by the
people, passes in the coming cleo
tion and is put on the statute
books next January 1st.
! Should Get Popular Support
That the measure will receive the
popular support of all the so-called
/ common people, those VINO work Wit.
their hands as well as with their
heads, is forcibly indicated by the
numerous. offers Of assistance which
have been pouring into the office of
the committees in charge Of placing
the measure upon the ballot for the
decision of the citizens in Novem-
Der.
Petitions for the signature OF vot
ers in Bozeman and GalIatin county
who are in favor Of the tax equali-
zation measure. can be seen and sign
cd in the office of the Bozeman COur-
ier at any time. Those interested
will also be able TO secure, at tho
Courier office, free copies of tbs
phamplet, Shall q Dual System oi
Taxation in Montana Be Longer To!-
Grated" as soon as the supply 0i
this interesting brochure is secured
from the committee headquarters ii
Helena.
The bill, as it will be submitted tC
the people, is declared not to in
crease taxation, but to equalize tn,
burden of providing revenues for tn,
state government among mining, ag.
riculture, business and the various
. other industries Of the Treasure state
Based upon the production for 1923
the measure will raise approximate
ly 100000 from natural resource:
! Of Montana which now escape taxa
tion entirely or nay but a small por
ton in comparison with other indus
tries.
Proceeds of the metals mines ta7
, will be divided equally between tn,
public schools and the state treasury
. Difect benefit Of the law will be re
| ceived by every child of school ag
r in the state and other taxes for schoo
! purposes will be reduced to the ex
: tent of a quarter million dollars,
\ the figures on 1925 production hol
n good as a basis for estimate.
Encourages Development
). The bill, which appears in full /
4 the phamplets above referred 20, WI
< in no way work a hardship upon tn
prospector and small mine owner
f The tax is graduated and it is on
after production of 100000 annual
e is reached that the per cent Ia
! becomes operative and cOllectibl'
J. Under the bills provisions, all mine
) with a gross production Of less tha
n 100000 annually are exempt frol
II the tax. Mines whose gross produ
,s ton exceeds 100000 and does NJ
a exceed s250,000 are to be taxed on
fourth Of / per cent of the value I
n the production; mines whose gro
re product value exceeds S250,000 al
:. does not exceed 100000 will pa
ly one-hah of / per cent; mines who
Il, production yields more than S40O, ,0'
z. annually and does not exceed $500