Montana labor news., 1932-07-14
STATEMENT BY HARRY B. MITCHELL on FILING
FOR GOVERNOR

am filing as a candidate for governor because so many democrats
throughout the state have asked me to do so. These requests have not
been alone from my own locality but from other parts of the state. These
political friends seem to feel that can do something towards bringing
about a lessening of the tax burden of the state and its equalization; also
that car be nominated and elected. As to the latter my opinion is not
WORTH much. rs to the former al quite sure of my W good intent
For many years | have insisted that the tax system in Montana was unfair
and archaic. Back in 1916, IN the resolutions committee of the democratic
state convention, the late Governor Norris and commended for a plank
calling for an income tax for the state. We were very much in the minority
then. That sort of tax seems to have become much more popular since
have not changed my mind as % its desrablty. Generally hold that
ability to pay through income or profits is a better measure for the bur
den OF axauon than property valuations alone. More particularly would
urge that the tax burden On the homes and farms be lessened to the
greatest possible extent. In any proposed readjustment of taxes would
oppose strenuously any increase in the total tax burden. Rather should there
be a decrease. l am convinced that a decrease could be brought about by
simpifcation in governmental methods and by the doing away of dupha-
ton of effort If entrusted with authority shall use every means in my
power to have the state live within its income; and shall endeavor to so
shape things that it "a do even better than that.
Harry I. Mitchell has been a resident of Montana for over forty years
With the exception of a few years in the ninetes, when he conducted news
papers in the mining camps of Neihart and Barker, he has been a resident
of Great Falls For many years he was managing editor of the Great Falls
Tribune, but having meantime acquired % land and livestock interests
he resigned that position in 1918, and since then has devoted all his time
to his farming and dairy business. His Ayrshire Dairy is known all over
the state not only for its fine herd of Ayrshfres, which have been ex.
hbted in various fairs in the state during a number of years past, but
also for the outstanding dairy equipment of his establishment.
In politics Nh. Mitchell has been active in the democratic party of the
state during his residence in Montana. He served three terms as mayor of
Great Falls and ws three times the candidate of his party for congress
in the strongly republican Second Montana district, always managing to
cut down the normal republican majority but never to overcome it. Lo.
cahy he is a embe OF he park board; chairman of the Emergency I'm
employment Committee, made up of members Of the Cascade Trades and
Labor Council and the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce. Formerly he
was a member of the library board. He is married and has two sons
and ne daughter.
Always active in the civic affairs of his community, he has given a good
deal of study to tax problems, and is at present head of a local committee
that is studying the problem of how to simplify local government and
reduce expenditures IN Great rails n Cascade county. When the State
Tax Association was organized in Billings in 1921, in an endeavor to bring
about more equitable taxation in Montana, he was named IS its president,
although he was not at the meeting and did not know of any intention
to elect him until after the meeting was over. He served in that capacity
for several years, and during that time the organization was helpful in
bringing about some changes in u taxation methods.