The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-08
Continued from Page One)

OrQer tnat you may lHIelllSeHtly ue-
termine the future policy of that
board.
| urge that the state continue the
policy of cooperating with the federal
government in the construction of
rural identification projects.
Spread Taxation Burden
Taxation is always a vexing prob
lem. Perhaps for long time to come
the only relief we can expect from it
will be through reducing expenditures
where that can be done. Ability to
pay and equality should be the watch
words of taxation Demands for new
levies and novel methods of raising
revenue should be critically scrutin-
lied.
Because of national defense, the
government of the United States must,
of necessity, put new burdens of tax
alton on our people. If we be cogniz-
ant of the load they already carry and
the economic collapse that will come
to many of them if the burden is made
heavier we cannot in conscience bur-
den them further with additional
levies by the state or under the states
authority.
In a determination of anticipated
income, two factors must be consid-
cred: % Every increase in federal
taxes will very materially reduce state
income (2) termination of the present
war will adversely affect many of our
industries with a consequent shrink
ing of our revenues. These facts, in
my opinion, must be constantly in
mind in the examination, not alone
of proposed phases of our economic
system We must reckon with the
cadence of the times.
Hence, any policy that contemplates
the realities of this situation must
impel us to the most stringent econ
omy in state and local government,
and we must intercept tendencies
that contradict the urgency for re-
trenchment | believe our govern
ment need be no less efficient, no less
a servant of the general people, be-
cause of thrifty operation that circum-
stance demands.
structure since our law for the clas-
sification of property for taxation was
enacted in 1919. make it advisable, in
my judgment, to amend this law to
meet these altered conditions and to
provide a more equitable distribution !
of the tax burden.
Tax Moratorium
Through no fault of their own, many |
of our farmers and small home own
ers have been unable to pay the
taxes levied against their property
| recommend the re-enactment of the
law which allowed the redemption of
tax delinquent property without the
payment of penalty and interest for
period of two years. Such a law
will prove beneficial to the state and
local governments and in many cases
will save the farm or home.
I also recommend the re-enactment
of chapter 1874, session laws of 1899,
relating to the granting relief from
mortgage foreclosure and from execu-
tion sale of real estate so as to ex-
tend the provisions until March /,
1913.
More Relief Funds
1t is a recognized duty of the state
and nation adequately to protect the
welfare of children. widows, the aged
and blind
Our laws relating to this subject
should be amended and liberalized so
that the unfortunate people may re-
ceive an amount of assistance suffi-
cient to take care of their essential
needs.
The statutes bearing on the state
fish and game commission, regulations
and the establishment of game pre-
serves and the like, present today a
vivid picture of what is wrong from
the standpoint of careful and intelli-
gent legislation. For instance, Sec
ton 1868, revised codes of Montana
of 1885, delegates broad powers to
the commission without suggestion
of restraint or boundary and then this
striking provision:
"The statutes now governing such !
subjects shall continue in full force I
and effect, except as altered or modi-
fled by rules and regulations promul-
gated by the commission"
AS it stands, the legislature sets I
up an autocracy with power to legis-
late and override the laws of the state i
adopted by the legislature.
Revise Game Laws 8
Further, while the sportsmen of the c
state contribute all of the funds used t
by the department, they have little or r
no voice in the management or con-
duct of the department.
In the light of these facts there is C
little wonder that the administration il
Of the fish and game department has n
fallen into disrepute and that the pub b
lie interests have suffered. The laws b
have mentioned should be rewritten, s
to the end that our fish and game laws Il
may be administered more nearly for
he general good. e
Administrations of our institutions b
If higher learning must be such as to il
inspire confidence and respect If the fl
of any of them pro- d
Jokes widespread dissent, there is ic
LANCER to all of them; they must be NJ
rec of all forms of political control. S,
urge a thorough study of the entire al
ield and enactment of laws that will pl
Lfford a better and more comprehen- ST
i've method of administration, and at ST
he tor Il,