Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-03-03
Tax Reform
Association Plans
Relief Program
Montana Men Organize to Tackle
Mounting Tax Probiem-Says Gen.
eral Property Tax Too Great

Inc Montana lax REFORM association
was organized at the close of the last
legislature of progressive members of
that body and other interested citizens
The object of the organization is to
take the initiative in devising a method
of undermining our tax system and cor
recting the chaotic condition of state
and county finances.
The executive committee of the as
ISOLATION is composed as follows: w. S.
Mccormack, Kalispell, representing the
Farm Bureau; Leverne Hamilton, Mus
selshell, representing organized labor
and the Farmers Union; Albert Besan-
con of Missoula and w. J. Paul of Deer
Lodge, well-known attorneys and FORM
er legislators representing independent
business and professional interests. N.
c. Parker, Creston, is secretary-treas-
urer.
The committee met recently in Mis-
soula, all except Mr.. Paul being pres
ent, and for the consideration of the
Association and all interested persons
and organizations sets forth the follow
ing facts.
Our system of raising public revenue
by a general property tax has broken
down. Real property is bearing an un-
just burden and more of the tax load
than it can carry. Widespread owner
ship of lands and homes is essential to
our well being, but the present tax
system makes such ownership unde-
sirable. This class of property in ex-
tensive and alarming amounts is being
taken by the counties for taxes, leav-
ing continually less property to bear
the tax burden. No other class of prop
erty seems to be thus confiscated This
indicates that ability to pay has been
entirely disregarded in our present tax
system. AS the tax rate increases, the
income to the state and counties de-
creases.
Our state budget is entirely out of
balance Revenue is decreasing and debts
increasing. State institutions, schools,
counties, and municipalities must carry
on yet our present inequitable tax sys-
tenn jeopardizess their existence De-
linuuent taxes in the state amount to
over fifteen million dollars and this is
rapidly increasing. The bonded and
warrant Indebtedness of the state has
passed the fifteen million dollar mark
and is mounting higher. If our state
and its institutions are to be preserved
in their usefulness, other property ard
more people must help to carry the tax
load
The seven measures here proposed
have operated well in many other
states. They have aided in equalizine
the tax burden requiring that per-
sons, property and incomes each beal
their just share. They have in othel
states and should here bring in SUI
| ficient revenue to meet the public need:
and permit reasonable reduction o
the unjust and inequitable genera
property tax
The committee most earnestly rec
ommends for your consideration tht
following.
/ /. A graduated income tax for tn
support of the schools and state govern
ment
2. A hydo-electric license tax.
3. Gas pipe line license tax,
4 Adjustment Of the natural gas tax
s Bus and truck transportation tax
i g. Graduated telephone line licens
tax.
j Z. An equitable revision of the pres
ent general property tax
This committee also recommends tina
progressive organizations investlgat
the record of all candidates for tn
legislature and state and county office
and then work for the election or re
election Of experienced persons with in
dependent and progressive record:
Reasonable efforts along this lin
should result in the election of stat
officers and House and Senate wht
woking together could solve many {
our tax and financial problems