The Carbon County chronicle. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1924, 1924-10-08
Montana Voters
Have Legislative
Matter to Decide

she November election are being mail
ed out to county clerks by Secretary
of State Charles 7. Stewart.
The proposed amendments contain
provisions which if passed, will permit
the Legislature to pass a bonus bill and
a law increasing the qualifications Of
county superintendent of schools and
providing for the acceptance by the
state of gifts and legacies for educa-
aI0ual and other purposes.
The lone initiative measure would
impose p license tax on mining prop
critics, based on gross proceeds, and is
Entended to supplement the present law
by which this particular industry is
taxed on its net proceeds.
Repeal of the presidential primary
z@w is provided for in the referendum
aseasure to be submitted.
The proposed tax initiative probably
eS1ipses in interest and important the
other issues to come before the states
electorate. Suggested by Governor
Dixon in his opening speech, the pro-
posal to compel the large mining in
4erests of his state to bear thir just
share of the burdens of government
has been the subject of heated contro-i
versy covering more than three years,
during which it has been twice before
the state legislature, and twice defeat
nd through efforts of well-known priv
deyed interests.
While the constitution provides
Hnines shall be taxed upon their net
proceeds only, it specifically endows
the Legislature and people of the state
10 enact license taxes for revenue pur-
poses; and it is under this clause chat
the present measure is being initiated.
Briefly stared the act imposes
license tax on oil mining companies in
the state, but provides:
However, that nothing contained
IN this act shall be construed IS re-
curing iaborers or employees hired or
employed by any person or mine or to
xnrk in or about any mine CT mining
BUSINESS or property, to procure such
license or to pay such license taxes,
nnr shall any discovery work required
"a be done in prospecting for or locat-
* any mining claims, or any annual
assessment work, or work required in
the obtaining of title to mining prop
ezty from the United States, or requir-
ID by the laws of the United States
ST of this state in order to hold pos
Hessory title to any mining claims, be
zecmed the engaging in or carrying on
taf the business of working or operat-
nr any such mine or mining proper
ayD
The license tax is 81, plus, a small
: ger cent of the gross value Of the ores
extracted.
II the gross value is less han $780,
skbss the company pays nothing.
If more than 100000 and under
600, the sum Of one-fourth of one
per cent is assessed against the com
amy.
One-haIf Of one per cent is levied
against proceeds from S250,000 to
Szi00. 600; three-fourths on 100000 to
SS10.000 and / per cent on all over
100000.
The law provides for penalties for
failure to make or falsify returns and
vests the state board of equalization
mikh the power TO determine the
amount of the tax to be levied against
amy company. 1t also makes provis-
auns for the re-hearing of persons
claims, who feel they have been I'M
gustiy treated by the board.
The referendum to repeal the presi.
a&<ntial primary law would do away
with the law initiated in 1912, by
which the voters of the state give di
r1rt expressions Of their choice fol
Errxident and vice president and nam,
sheir delegates TO national conventions
mnd nominate their presidential cleo
liars
Amendment Of the constitution il
mrder for the state to bond itself Il
pay "a bonus to veterans Of the Worlt
War was made necessary by suprem,
wsurt action which held invalid tn,
compensation bill initiated by the vot
srs of the state two years ago.
Power to incur bonded indebted
NESS of "a 100000 is given the state b,
the amendment, which would ALLOW
emch veteran $40 a month for servic
Fr0n April 9, 1917, to November II
1918, with maximum of $500.
mfso provides for one-mill levy o
all taxable property TO pay off tn
Bonded indebtedness.
The amendment relating to count
Euperiutendents Of schools would en-
power the legislature to raise tn
qualifications for this offic.