The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1946-04-19
The Tax Meetings

IIC GA fACCtuISO
To say wealthy long good days" when
their tax bill for the support of the federal government
comparatively small, undersatement. They not only
izaons they work fight for them They employ high
priced talent to develop specous arguments
present to the general public TO build mass opinion which NAV
make possible to degree to accomplish their purposes
This week series of meetings arranged by the Montana
Taxpayers Association being conducted in five cities Of
this state The these meetings ostensby
bring before the public information about the mounting costs
of government the increase of outgo income and the
dangers inherent in unbalanced national budget
To present these matters of the big business
interests have been brought into the state from Washington
New York other The aid of local Chambers
Commerce has been enlisted to make for the
meetings. and minor parts in their conduct assigned to them
Farm labor and civic organizations have received invitations
to send representatives to them.
The programs of the meetings arranged that
is little opportunity for peoples organization to its
attitudes and the interests of its membership in the discussions
of the forum The statements concerning all of the subjects
for discussion presented by talent employed by business
and the only opportunities representatives of
peoples organizations present their through ques
ons and it clear to observer that the representatives
interests adept evasve they
developing appealing arguments for the interests of their
employers
Constantly stressed in the meetings so far conducted this
week. the mounting of the federal government the null
tpiciy of governmental and their cost to the
of the country To the extent that the services rend
cred by of these agencies overlap criticism
undoubtedly justified However the faults in organi
cation present large business organization where
large numbers of favored individuals given official posi-
at high salaries and few and overlapping duties thus
orbng much of what should be surplus income of these bust
organizations subject purpose of
providing additional services the general public which is
carrying the and paying the profits of all organza
the country. To be the basic argument this
connection, would draw fire being 'socasic" com
muns but these charges be challenged the con
ona of public welfare the conduct of fed
eral and state governments.
In the meetings so week. gov
agencies in Montana and their costs
hbed horrible example of the wastefuness of the fed
Many these socaled %war agencies
and presumed that that there cessation of armed
other nations of these
longer needed The fact that their abrupt dscontnuance
may have disastrous effect the national and
directly adversely affect the welfare of the general public
in the transition from to carefully
avoided The cost of these services the only thing presented
Their desraby the need for them and their service to the
general public and its quality given consideration Par
tcuary clearly evident in the general presentations far
made that such services are OF social nature such as providing
and better medical unemployment compensation
and providing effective assistance securing employ
en for the needy are the ones singled out Tor greatest
domination.
1t has been clearly meetings this
week that the back of them is to create public sent
for federal tax reductions indeed that openly
acknowledged But drive for lowering federal taxes
and increasing exemptions for the low income groups and pro-
ng propoonate increases for the fortunate elements
society order to meet the of required
essential public services has been evident and such
posa under the of conducting the meetings will surely
not be permitted It
Perhaps many federal agencies Perhaps the
functions too of them overlap and of them should
others Perhaps too much cost incurred render services
required And perhaps real service rendered by these
meetings bringing these subjects for discussion But
the apparent and fairly obvious purpose OF them not the
protection of the little people, but the protection of the interests
Of big business st
the meetings this writer attended mention hi
of the of the federal tax for refundg to
profits collected from during the
assuring of profits without interruption during the
This mentioned by the able speaker who
discussed possible the federal budget order
bring about its balance in income and ougo during the
Inversion period
And as ALREADY stated no suggestions was aue anu tic
robabe will be made reduction the proper h
paid by the little people The big business IT.
program dominates
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The Butte Disturbances -.