The Carbon County chronicle. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1924, 1924-10-29
CROWD HEARS DAN
KELLY EXPLAIN MINES TAX
Tells the People of Red Lodge of The Unfair
Propaganda That is Being Spread Over State
BY an Army of Employees of Governor Travel-
ing at Expense of State.

Hon. Damn. Kelly addressed a large
crowd at the Roman Theatre on We'd
nesday, October 22nd, speaking for
two hours on the subject Of the taxa
ton of mines Mr.. Kelley has been
making speeches throughout the state
In an effort TO inform The voters as
to the true facts pertaining TO the
taxes paid by mining compnies. He
explained that he was appearing UNI
der the auspices of the Montana Min
ing Association, and as he was an en-
ploye of the Anaconda Company and
familiar with their operations, he
would use the Anaconda Company as
his basis for figures.
Mr.. Kelly said: "The question Of
taxation is very acute one in the
state. Banks have failed from one
end of the state to other and many
people have lost their savings. This
period Of depression gone through in
the last six or eight years makes us.
realize that the question of taxation.
is an acute one, but | want to say in
just preliminary way a few words
about the burden Of increased taxa
ton. In 1880 the taxes per capita in,
Montana were $3.50 for every man,
woman and child In 1898 the taxes
had increased to the enormous sum
Of $4,000 for each man, woman and
lchild.H
Mr.. Kelly said that he did not be-
lieve that the people of Montana would
treat the mines unfairly, II they had
the facts, but that every night the
governor Of this state In his speech-
as was nlisrapresenting the facts
claiming that the great Anaconda
Company paid sis00 Of taxes In 1921
and k1.00 in 1929. Mr.. Kelly produced
documentary evidence to show that
| the Anaconda Company paid $9f4,-
| I2l.00 in 1921; $s60,74S.00 in 1922.
| He handed out cancelled checks TO the
audience signed by the Anaconda Cop
per Company to substantiate this
statement Mr.. Kelly also stated that
the Anaconda Company had paid an
average Of nearly a million dollars
year in taxes, and at the same time the
company lost on its Montana opera
tions more than $40 3,000,O 900. He stat
cd that 1t was unfair for the Governor
Of this state to try to deceive the peo-
pie.
II MIR. Kelly pointed out that 1916
was an average year; that business
ia all lines was good; banks were pros
porous. farmers had crops and receiv-
ed good prices and the total taxes col
iected for that year was $13,341, 600.
Froms1gle TO 1923 the taxes had
doubled to $2o700,000. Notwith-
standing this the cry has gone from one
end of the state to the other, not by
the taxpayers but by the tax-spend-
crs, that we must have more taxes.
Sheep men and cattle men have gone
broke, there In no demand for copper
and the markets Of Europe are closed
to us because Of conditions resulting
: from the war; that Montana has but.
II per cent Of the worlds supply of
copper and yet we must compete with
the world; that If additional taxes
were imposed, that the mining CONF.
panies, II they operated at all would
have to operate at a great loss.
! Mr.. Kelly explained that the Ana.
conda Copper Company is but one OF
450 such operations in this state, sep
arate and individual He said these
= mines pay four or five different kinds of
taxes, which include surface tax, a
2 tax on all implements and machinery,
mills and smelters, a license tax and o.
+ tax on the net proceeds Of its pro-
I ductions, which Is assessed at 100 per
y cent. The corporation license tax
= goes directly to the state, and with
9 these other taxes which the mining
companies pay, state county and city
= receive Their just share
9 Mr.. Kelly said that one fifth OF the
& population Of the state or 100000 were
= dependent upon the operations Of these
? mines. He urged, instead Of increas-
J. cd taxes, economy on the part Of the,
. state administration and the abolish
! ing of many useless boards and COM
q missions.
y Mr. Kelly said: I'm every corner of
this state, In every city and town, the
: employees Of the state, appointed by
a fcou.,.s