The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1960-09-09
Editorial

Some Comments On
On pages two and three of this issue are reprinted
the complete texts of the Montana Democratic and
Republican platforms for 1860 daa 4saSsya4f
1t is not my intention to- dwell at length their
context however, in going them have been struck
by the greatly different viewpoints expressed reach
ing SOLUTIONS number Of the problems facing the
people of Montana. 60 eASiS
Taxation: Republicans condemn the Democrats for
the 1859 Legislatures failure to back 'better bust
ness climate memorial proposal which recent
ly has been spelled out by Montana Chamber of Com
merce and which has it's cornerstone general sales
and repeal of the state income tax Republicans,
apparently, for the Chambers BBC-and general
sales tax Democrats the other hand reiterate their
flat opposition to the sales tax and point with pride
to increasing the state income and corporation taxes
last session to meet rising costs of government.
Republicans state they in favor of further tax
ing of farmers cooperatves Democrats pledge their
continuing support to coops although not spelling out
what the word support means The Democratic rec
ord in previous legislatures from gubernatorial cand
date Paul Cannon down is of overwhelming
opposition to the enacting of discriminatory taxes
against co-ops, contrasted to COP gubernatorial
candidate Nutters efforts to legislate such tax
Multiple purpose development: Republicans un-
equivocally opposed to construction of Paradise
Knowles dams by the federal government and gener
ally oppose multiple purpose development by public
agencies where such activities compete with private
enterprise. Democrats standing solid behind their
Congressional delegation in support of Paradise
Knowles support other public developments and pledge
that 1--WE will reverse the Republican policies of
starts waste, acknowledgements and give-away.'
Republicans oppose legislation to permit the people
to establish public utility DISTRICTS however they are
completely silent whether not rural electrified
{ tion co-operatives are a blessing curse. e4t
Democrats take stand on PUBS (even though
substantial majority of their 1859 House members
supported enabling legisation) Democrats however,
do take cognizance of the stranglehold power
panies have the rural electric co-ops and urge
enactment of the State REA Act of 1855 law which
permitted the State go into the power production
and distribution business the need should arise That
law repealed by the 1853 Republican Legislature
at the request of Montana Power Company.
r Education: Republicans say they for equa edu
cational opportunity throughout the Nation but they
opposed to the Murray -Metcaf bill to make such
equal opportunity reality all the children of the
nation whether in Mississippi, Maine Montana
They also opposed to reenactment of the National
Defense Education Act and it's loan provisions to assist
young Americans achieve higher education They want
the State to provide money for local Schools but
offer suggestion how the money be raised
The Democrats say they recommend increase
in the foundation program to realistic figure
state appropriation which will provide full state
participation in the program Like their Republican
brethren they do not indicate where and how the add
tonal revenue will be raised the state level They
do however express their belief in ''the principle of
federal support to education without federal CONTROL
as provided under the Murray Metcalf BILL
Since neither platform is too specific education,
the record Of past performance in the Legislature
seems surer guide to how each party will perform
in the future. The record shows that the Democrats
have repeatedly placed greater emphasis better edu
cation than have the Republicans and have been the
major support behind realsticD improvements of the
foundation program. ad2 ehana 6do4 9& Il
M - &aaq sssNer1 .t5as
'Labor Republicans profess some concern for work
ing men and women but from the tenor Of their two