Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-04-02

oline taxes to the amount of a million and a
half dollars a year for four years.
There has arisen some opposition to the
proposal on the theory that the proposed
law provides for an additional five cent tax
for ten years in addition to the five cent tax
now in force. That objection was raised in
the senate by a few members when the bill
providing for the election was under consid-
Grafton.
The best opinion however of the legis-
lators and of the lawyers who were consult
ed was to the effect that the fears of the op-
ponents OF the measure are unfounded. Gov
ernor Erickson, himself a lawyer and for
mer Judge, was OF that same opinion and APP
proved the bill. The intent and purpose of
the bill is to provide only that there should
be 40 repeal of the five cent tax until the
warrants against the future collections had
been retired.
Newspaper articles attacking the refen-
dunn measure have argued at length that an
additional five cent tax is provided but their
arguments we find unconvincing. They as
sumo what they charge and argue from that
assumption.
We are satisfied with the positive state
ments of all state officials connected with the
administration of the gasoline tax that the
law does not raise the tax on gasoline and
they will proceed accordingly. 1t is unthink-
able to us that any one would attempt to
force state officials to collect ten cents in
stead Of five. Without any such attempt be-
ing made, we have the assurance of the adj
ministration that they will collect only the
five cents which is generally believed is
provided for.
We can see no danger in the direction
pictured. No public official would have the
audacity, we believe, to attempt to collect
more than what it is evident the legislature
intended should be collected.
There is no valid objection to the appro-
val Of the law which we have heard voiced.
Some question has been raised as to the pos
sibility that increased consumption of gas
will provide sufficient funds for the compile
ton Of our highways in a few years with
out borrowing against future revenues at
this time.
That is purely an assumption. Certainly
the past year did not show any great growth
in gasoline consumption and it will be an
easy matter for the next session of the leg
~islature to provide for a more rapid retire
ment of the warrants if receipts show unan-
ticipated increase.
No property taxes are affected by the
proposed warrants. No increase will be lev
led against the gasoline used by motorists.
The farmers will get their refunds as before
for gasoline used in farm work. The interest
paid on warrants will be more than made up
for by the federal funds which will be saved
to the state. Montana once before turned
back several hundred thousand dollars Of
highway money credited to us in the feder-
al treasury because we did not have the rev.
enue to match it.
Fastening the construction program of
the state system is desirable. The present 7
per cent system is not adequate. While it
provides the main routes which are the foun-
dation of a satisfactory road system for
Montana, it needs many additions to make it
more serviceable for our rural poulations.
Until the main through routes are completed
most citizens lave RETAINED from pushing
their demands for connecting market roads
on the more important rural routes. But
eventually the state must take over a much
greater mileage.
We hope to see the main Job done as
rapidly as possible that there may be funds
for other very necessary road building pro-
jects.