Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-03-30
(By Our Helena Correspnndentl

(By Our Helena Correspondent
State warrants for $685. 25 have been
issued to 3f5 school districts In 43 of
the SO Montana counties by State Aud
itor George p. Porter. In keeping with
recommendations approved by the
state board of education I'm distribu-
ton of the common school equaliza-
tion fund. under provisions OF the law
passed by the 1927 legislature.
There are more than 1000 school dis.
tricts in the state. Hundreds of appli.
cations were received from needy dis.
tricts for financial assistance.
Thirteen counties are given nothing
among those omitted being Silver Bow
Deer Lodge, B~eaverhead, Big Horn, Ola.
cier. Judith Basin. Mineral, Liberty, Pow.
ell. Sanders, Sweet Grass. Toole.
Lake county gets the largest share
with S25, 428. Other large county por-
tions are awarded as follows: Carbon. rs
districts, $22,978; Fergus. As districts
s21. 1885,: Sheridan, is districts, 500, 5S5,
Valley, 6 districts. s2o.ls7.
Montana stands 31st among the AZ
states on a combined average of automo-
bile license fees, gasoline tax and per-
sonal property taxes per motor vehicle In
each state, according to figures prepared
by the Montana Automobile association
There are 80 states paying a higher COM
bination OF all automobile taxes and II
states paying less than Montana.
Montana's average plate tax for 1927
was $3.50, while the car owners average
expenditure for the Scent gas tax
amounted to s12.57. the personal prop
erty tax was $3.50 or a combined total OF
s31.36. Florida pays the most, or @6O.O8
and New York the least, or SIS. sc, but
New York has no gas or property taxes
Only IL states pay no property tax on
automobiles.
California, while having the lowest
motor license fees. has a higher persona
property tax n its combined rating is
greater than Montana. Oregon has the
largest plate tax, averaging $25.76 but
no personal property tax and stands
eighth from the top. North Dakota mo-
florists spend the least on gasoline, that
states average being 1926 on a 2-cent
tax.
1t is pointed out by the Montana Auto
mobile association that revenue from
motor license fees will increase literally
this year, as the new Ford now pays SIS
instead of $3.50 and that, If the normal
increase in gasoline consumption takes
place, which the state motor club pre-
diets will, total sales will run close to
sc, 000,00 gallons, as compared with ST.
51l 1924 gallons in 1927. On the Scent
tax, this Will bring the state a gross of
81 $4,000 for highway construction and
maintenance. but from his total must
be deducted refunds for farmers tractors
and other commercial purposes.
That Montana produces the best not
only in beef but in dairy cattle Is shown
in q letter received by DR.. j. w. Butler,
state veterinarian, from L. M. Hurt,
county livestock inspector of Los Angeles
county. Calf.
Mr.. Hurt reports that of $500 head
OF dairy cattle shipped into the Los An
geles station during 1927 from other
states tina California, Montana contrib
uted 28o head, not one Of which reacted
under California tests.
Russell D.. Miller has resigned as Sec
rotary OF the state board of equalization
He was succeeded by George Fowlie, thief
clerk, and Phil Greenan. field man, was
made chief clerk. Miller first entered
the states employ in 1917 as deputy state
treasurer. In 1921, he went to the old
board of equalization as an accountant
and became its secretary when John Edg-
erton resigned. When the present board
was created. he remained as secretary
Phil Greenan was formerly adjutant gem
eral Of Montana for many years, a posi-
ton he held during the world war.