The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1935-01-18
Friday, January 10, 1885
There Are Many Bills
In the legislatures

M @HE% @GSbSE0 9SkaGS
There are few bills that have been introduced in the
Montana legislature which do not look bad at the first
glance.
There the sixhour day bill and also the bill that pro-
vdes exemption from taxation of all real estate properties
below 900 valuation
the first place. these bills are still bills and not laws
And to rather doubtful that they will become
laws But maybe the Montana Solons wise enough
realize that they throw out crumbs for the
and farmers they may become satisfied again But be that
it may bills these proposed fulfill their
purpose.
They being skillfuly propagandized much is writ
ten about and still talked about them and by this
publicity already certain amount of satisfaction
especially among small farmers and workers who sup
ALL they making effort the impression the big
interests that rule this state would like to create their
lawmakers.
The tax exemption bill does not seem to be bad and
certainly should be pushed However, it does not 90 far
enough There many farmers the state whose farms
are valued above 3OOO who unable pay taxes and
they going to do? With conditions as they are man
with $4,000 farm has chance to pay his taxes
than the fellow whose farm is valued at $780,
we nave not seen the bill yet but have written for
1t and as soon as the full text is in hands, shall pro-
vide our readers with a careful analysis
In the meantime farmers in Sheridan county and else
where in the United States should push the Farmers En-
Urgency Relief bill that has just been introduced in
The bill is further reaching than the Montana tax ex-
empton BILL 1t provides relief for all poor farmers and
cancellation OF taxes well of all other secured debts
BILL H. R. Ball. if it becomes law will mean the security
OF the farm home it will prevent further ruin and dspos
session OF all small and middle farmers of all those who
operate their farms primarily by their own labor
When Senator Wheeler was in Sheridan county during
e eecon campaign we asked him whether he would sup
port this bill At that time he evaded the answer v stat
ing that he had heard of neither had he heard of
the Workers Unemployment Insurance BILL Already in Oc-
IoOef po bills had been endorsed by farmers and workers
organizations all the country still the senator had not
heard OF them By Mr. Wheeler certainly had plenty
OF opportunities to get acquainted with these bills which are
of +bo
country.
We believe that it is the duty of every Montana resi-
9en and especially the duty of every farmer and worker
In the state, to write to congressional DELEGATION o
our congressman and to two senator's urging them TO
9PpoL pom tneSe pulls H. r. Ball. the Farmers Emergency
cee DILL ana IL H. 1871 the Workers Unemployment and
Social Insurance bill When writing to the Senator'S +oI,
should be asked to introduce both bills in the senate And
ney refuse to introduce and support these bills thew
should be asked to state the reason for their attitude +
is Ine moral as well the formal duty of these legislators
70 nSCen TO the wishes of their constituents and if for
ey can not carry out these Wishes they have to
give an explanation. 49, lew "
The Workers Unemployment and Social Insurance hill
see text printed in last weeks of the Producers News
IS not only for the benefit of industrial workers but includes
farmers as we'll 1t does not only provide for unemploy
men insurance OF not less than $40 per week nus 81 for
every dependent but also provides comp ensaon in case
OF inability to work because of sickness old age matenv
industrial injury any other disability" The
ton in these cases is the provided for unenov
ment. ~ itfOV
This bill stands sharp contrast to the Townsend old
age pension plan in that puts the burden for raising the
money to out its provisions not upon the shoulders
OF the worngclasS Townsends sales tax does hit de-
mtey states that the money come from taxes levied
on nheIances, gifts and the large incomes of $4,000
year and over. - TO' :"
Townsend states that the 20 billions year necessary
to finance his scheme be raised by small sales tax
OF two cent That at first does not sound
However all sales taxes paid practically by workers and
farmers alone The middle class small and big businessmen
nave always the opportunity to raise the prices of their
goods and thereby escape from under it.
But when Townsend states that his sales tax was TO
be two per cent he is badly mistaken. Walter Lppman
the well known comnist figures that it will be nearer 60
per cent He charges that Townsend is mistaken IN the
figures OF the total sales in the country on which the M
could be levied The total amount of sales in tba TntJ
States is around 80 billion dollars Townsend fi
ureS that the total amount is 1900 billions
Lppman explains that Townsend arrives at this fio,re
by taking the total Of all business transactions thnre ma
ting the tax on the article three or four times For
an example he puts it the bushel of wheat sold bv the
farmer 20 the miller; he puts the tax again when the