Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1932-12-08

1t will be but a short time until the
members of our Legislature assemble at
Helena to consider new legislation. With
out doubt this will be a stormy session.
Pressing demands will come from every
quarter for laws intended to relieve the
taxpayer. Perhaps three fourths of the men
elected to serve in either the Senate or the
House made promises of legislation in the
interests of economy to win their seats.
They will be called upon to make that pro-
mise good.
Sheridan. county is most fortunate in
having three men to represent it at Helena
whose ability or sincerity OF purpose cam
not be questioned. Two of them are already
seasoned members, and the other will.
through his knowledge of tax problems and
general conditions of the state, be able to
match his service to his constituents with
the keenest minds of the lawmaking body.
While all three of our legislators will be
with the minority group in the coming ses-
sion, they are Just the kind of men who will
not let party lines stand in the way of con-
s~tructive legislation that bring relief to the
paiASiiCd faAPdyIi.
Several matters will undoubtedly re-
ceive preferred attention in the legislature.
There is the problem Of delinquent taxes
with some kind of revision to provide for
reduced penalties, which will remove from
the taxpayer a burden which approaches
confiscation Of property.
A more equitable division of the autor
mobile and truck license will be another
measure certain to receive attention.
Obviously, an effort will be made to
reduce state government costs through cut
ting of salaries. the elimination Of duplicat-
ing bureaus and commissions Other neigh
boring states, notable North Dakota, has al
ready taken drastic action in effecting such
economies by passing initiative laws by
overwhelming maiorities in the November
election. The people of Montana will expect
their law-making body to enact similar leg
~lslation.
Still other matters of much importance
are the securing Of greater support for the
common schools; the question of gasoline
price in Montana; laws increasing the re-
sponsibility of bank directors and stock
holders to afford greater security to deposr
itors of institutions that are forced to close
their doors; then there will be an effort
made to effect a fairer distribution of the
tax load by means Of a state income tax:
an increased tax on natural such
as natural gas, water power, and precious
metals.
1t is interesting to note that Sheridan
county Legislators pledged themselves to
work IN the interests Of several Of these
very important measures, notably the re-
OF tax penalties on delinquent tax
es; economy in state government, and re-
vision in the automobile license law.
The governor of Montana is placed in
a most opportune position in the service he
may be able to give with the next leoislat-
lre. Ills party not only controls the House
out he himself will undoubtedly not be
another term in office, which should
cave him free to recommend legislation for
he general good Of his constituents with
out regard to his future political fortune.
lis proposals to the legislature will conse-
1uently be watched with greatest interest.
All in all, the people Of Montana have
right to expect some real constructive leg
station from the approaching session. We
lope they will not be disappointed.