The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-01-28
Opposed
To Tax On
Xmas Trees
Libby Lions Club Adopts
Resolution and Send II
To Legislators.
SMALL TAX MIGHT
KILL NEW INDUSTRY

| That the Libby Lions are strongly
opposed to the placing of tax on IL
developing Christmas tree industry Of
Lincoln county was unmistakzbly
brought out at the clubs meeting Mon
day night, at the New Model Cafe. A
resolution was adopted voicing the
clubs objection to the proposed tax.
copies of which will be sent to the
legislators now in session at Helena. and
to other interested people.
Following the serving of dinner, the
program was placed In the hands
Of Supervisor K. A. Klehm, of the local
forest service. A number of his rangers
were present and Lion Klehm had
agreed to provide most of the program.
MIR. Klehm first called on Ranger
| Bob Byers to talk on game manage
ment Lion Byers said the subject had
recently been quite adequately covered
at other meetings but remarked that
the forest service had taken over game
management on forest lands for the
reason that the state fish and game
commission did not have the funds nor
the men to do all this work throughout
the state. He brought out one es-
pecially interesting item when he read
| figures from other states showing that
the game resources of the state ranged
from four to six million dollars In each
OF the states named. He said some
what similar figure would undoubtedly
prevail in Montana. He said plans are
to provide a perpetual game supply in
the forests.
Lion Byers stated that count Of
mountain sheep in the Warland and
ReMord districts is now being made
and asked Ranger Warren Ensign OF
Warland as to the results. Mr.. Ensign
replied that the count had not pro
crossed far enough to permit state
ment of any value.
The meeting then launched into d
discussion Of the proposed tax ON
Christmas trees and Ranger Charley
Powell of Rexford was asked to discuss
it inasmuch as his district is in the
heart of the area where the trees have
been cut.
MIR. Powell stated in no uncertain
terms that he was opposed to any tax
whatever on the industry. He said he
favored the sale of the trees for two
reasons: Cd the kids must have Christ
mas trees, and ~ for the reason that it
was wise silviculture practice.
MIR. Powell said he had watched the
cutting Of the trees for number OF
years and that while one might think
the supply would gradually be ex-
hausted, yet such was not the case. The
cut from certain sections is being. in
creased every year, he said, and still
there seems to be an ample supply ON
the very section cut over. He account
ed for this in that the trees were al
lowed to be cut only in line with a
plan that looked to perpetual supply.
He further said the cutting and thin
ming resulted in better trees and event.
ually in better sawlogs.
The fire hazard is less because Of the
cutting, he also said The refuse left
from the harvesting of the trees Is
slashed and scattered, thus lessening
the fire risk and providing a cover to
some extent for the increase of duff
and the holding Of moisture in the
forest cover.
Mr.. Powell said there is a real and
very great benefit to the commune,
ties where the industry is being de-
veloped. He stated that approximately
ITO carloads of trees were shipped out
from the north end of the county this
season. 1t was brought out that these
would average to the producers about
S4O0 car. That would mean a total
revenue to the community of something
like $68,000 MIR. Powell said many
of the men working in the industry
would average $500 month during
the time the trees were being cut and
shipped Men operating trucks would
make much more, he said.
| Mr.. Powell also brought out that this
employment came at a time when farm
work has slackened, the money comes
in whtnrax are to be paid and just
before Christmas, thus helping to make
happy Christmas for many. He also
remarked that tax had been placed
against the industry in Minnesota, re-
sulting in driving the industry out Of
the state.
Lion WEIGH remarked that If any tax
at all was placed on the industry it
should merely be small one, pos
sibly in the form of license. r w.
Billings, formerly of the local forest
office but now stationed at Standpoint,
was present and opposed any tax He
said two cent tax per tree in Min
nesota had killed the industry in that
state. DIR. ]. W. Church opposed any
tax whatever, as did also Lion Hoffman
who moved the adoption of resolu-
ton in opposition to the tax This was
: unanimously carried.
Marshall Murray suggested that In
, view Of the fact that the Christmas
] tree industry brought considerable
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