The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1931-03-20

"No greater tax than five cents
per gallon will be LEVIED on gaso-
line consumers Of Montana if the
highway debenture referendum is
carried at the special election on
May 5, the state board of equeliza-
ton advised the highway commits
sion, which held a special meeting
here yesterday.
Following the passage of the ref
erendum the question was raised
as to whether, if it were approved
by popular vote, the tax would not
be doubled, in view of the earlier
passage of another measure, ex-
tending the present five cent tax
to 1871.
The highway commission men,
bers said yesterday, that it was
the unqualified opinion of the at
torneys who drew the bill, and of
the state board of equalization,
that it will merely re-enact the
five cent gasoline tax and will not
cause a duplication Of tho levy If
the measure is approved.
But few contracts can be let
this year after the March and Ap-
Ill awards are made, the highway
commission said, unless the refer
enduri; Is approved ~ the Votes.
This situation was caused by the
pig amount of state money involv-
ed in the emergency program COW
cred by the lettings thus far this
year.
However, if the measure is ap-
proved, the commission expects to
let about $4,000, 900 of additional
contracts during 1881 and three
million dollars additional in each
Of the next three years which, If
nA4e rwrsTT A..
ploymemt of many hundreds OF
men during the four years.
The question of whether O. To-
cent tax per gallon on gasoline
would be authorized by the pass
age of the referendum was settled
at the present time, partially, be-
cause The Producers News, pub.
Hshed at P1entywood, came out
last Friday with a flare head on
its front page making the positive
statement that If the referendum
passed there would be \ 10-cent ia
on each gallon of gasoline sold in
Montana. The members of the
highway commission believed il
best to correct the statement"
and then the Independent quote
the above telegram to the Plent,
wood paper as the authority fl
the claim that there would not
a 10 cent gas tax.
The above statement was put o,
by the Associated Press and a
peared in the dailies Of the sta
including the Great Falls Tribun
'-s.lISN~Ts7 zzzy-asssrs1sVsl
DAILY PAPERS EDITORIALIZ
Following the publication of Il
statement of the highway commi
sion the papers of the state col
menced to e6itorialize on the al
icle of the Producers News, a
on March 18th the following eC
torial appeared in the Great Fa
Tribune:
BILL NO. $50 AND THE TAX
House Bill NO. 45o, the highw
debenture measure, was passed
an enthusiastic legislature, viii
legislation and procedure viii
would anticipate the gasoline
! revenue of the state, enable the I
Of surplus federal funds that ;
now standing to the credit of t
I state as well as further routine
| 1otments on the part Of the COVE:
men for highway construction. T.
measure was prepared following
decision on the part of the supre
court that an enactment OF this K
, should be referred to the people.
: House bill No. $50, therefore, Y
} prepared and does contain the p
: visions of house bill No. 1 ,Lne hi
: way bill that had been enacted
: the first instance, plus provisi
!. for the election that was sugges
I. by the supreme court.
House Bill No. 1 was drawn
, several eminent and capable att
+ neys who gave weeks of study to
question. It was sponsored by
- Montana Automobile Associate
y House Bill NO. $50, was also ]
). pared by eminently capable lawy