The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1932-04-01

the budget 1t is never the part of the budget
that the capitalist class and the bankers get that
is sliced off, 1t is the benefits that go to the
small and middle farmers. Never has one OF these
taxpayers associations come out with the demand
that the county refuse to pay the interest on its
bonds or other Indebtedness. This is holy 10 the
Taxpayers Leagues, this is the pocketbook Of the
bankers, this cannot be violated.
But for these Taxpayers Leagues, which are
under the influence and direction of the bankers,
the lives and living standards of the farm masses
ale not holy. They be attacked, they can be
despoiled, they can be ravished-all in the name
of tax reduction. And so the Sweet Grass Coun-
ty Taxpayers League twill have as its purpose
reduction in county expenditures and lowering of
the tax rate"
What is it that this League like practically all
of the others tries to hide from the farm masses.
THAT THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF TAXPAY-
ERS-THE RICH CORPORATIONS, THE LAND
LORDS, THE RAILROADS, THE CAPITALIST
CLASS AND THE SMALL AND MIDDLE FAR
MERS AND THE WORKERS. They also try to
hide the fact that the county budget is expended
for the benefit of these two classes THEY TRY
| TO HIDE THE FACT THAT THE BUDGET OF
OUR COUNTIES AND STATES AND OF THE
| FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REFLECT THE Elk
| PLOITATIVE NATURE OF THE ENTIRE SYS-
TEN WE LIVE UNDER.
The county budgets are class budgets The
county officials, as agents of the capitalist class,
| try to grind as much of the tax levy out of the
| toiling farm masses as possible. When cuts are
30 be made, under the persuasion of the Taxpay-
ers Leagues, the cuts are to be made in the bene-
fits the toilng masses get out of the budget,
the educational standards to be lowered, the
health benefits to be reduced, the living stand
ards of the farmers are to be reduced
The composition of the executive committees of
these Leagues usually gives good clue to their
activities In Sweetgrass County, "local people
of high standing have been selected to conduct the
affairs of the league and it is predicted that their
efforts will go far to accomplish the desired end"
Who are "people of high standing" in our rural
communities High standing" means high stand
ing far as the capitalist class is concerned The
masses of small and middle farmers are not of
"high standing" They are the exploited those
who are plundered by the capitalist class, who are
| oppressed with interest demands on the part of
the capitalist class and by robber taxes.
| The people of "high standing" are the local
agents of the bankers. They are the mainstreet-
ers, the local businessmen the lawyers, the county
agents, some few rich farmers Qzulaks) who "rep-
resent agriculture whenever the local chambers
of commerce or commercial clubs have theil
banquets. These are the ones who will be founC
in the leadership of the Taxpayers Leagues at the
command of their bosses, the bankers, the rail
roads, the utilities and others of the exploiters.
cit is not the purpose or intention of
the newly organized Taxpayers League
to interfere with the county commission
ers in the performance of their duties but
rather to act as advisory board and
watch the corners carefully to see that
every possible opportunity for economy is
embraced.
/, It will be the duty of committeeman
appointed for that purpose to meet with
the county commissioners and offer any
suggestions they may have as to how
certain expenditures may be reduced or
: eliminated. Other committees will have
7 other functions bearing on the subject of
taxation and expenditures
, 'This organization in no way reflects
S on or conflicts with the board of county
commissioners, in fact the two bodies
e should and undoubtedly will work in close
: harmony both sides seeking the
results The rule applies to
S all units of government applies to in
L dividual businesses in these times. Reve-
5 nues must be increased or expenditures
!, must be reduced if they are to survive"
, Harmony Will reign throut the ACTIVITIES OF II
e Taxpayers Leagues. This harmony is nothir
e the attempt on the part of the capitalist class
y crush the miGtancy of the 1t is the a
y tempt to prevent the militancy of the farm mass
from finding expression in class conscious stru
II gle against the capitalist class and its agents.
IS The Taxpayers League will not interfere" wi
Is the County Commissioners. It will meet with
le commissioners and "advise" them. It's activiti
II will not reflect on or conflict with" the Coun
c. Commissioners. What does this mean? T
county commissioners are, with rare exception
E. agents of the bankers and enemies of the toil
81 farm masses. Their task is to run the county
the best advantage of the capitalist class, that
IN to run it to as great an extent as possible tn
s. the tax robbery of the masses. This is the d
IS gram they have followed this is the program tn
Oh are following at the present time. 1t is wi
IN these agents, on the basis of this program, Il
es the Taxpayers League is going to function.
Us There will of course be no serious conflict 7
conflict will be as to the best means to carry I'll
On the orders Of their boss the capitalist class.
Is fact the two bodies 1.-THE Taxpayers League a
y the County Commissioners should and undoubt