Show BilliNGS AND PU rUH PORTER I LEI URGE RACE TAXATION or INmAr lANDS I Indian Tax Exemption tion N Now o Costs Costa State Annually Says Dele Delegation ga tion Appearing before the Senate Indian Indian In In- 1 dian Committee last Friday G. G V. V Billings and R. R G. G Porter testified testified tes tes- tes that Utah counties in which Indian reservations are located are aresu su suffering large annual losses because because because be be- cause of the fact that Indian lands cannot be taxed The committee pointed out that Indian children attend schools I while paying only 40 per cent of I the tuition paid by white children enjoy roads and the benefit of law enforcement It was urged that the government step forward and some plan whereby Indians Indians In may share part of the burden burden burden bur bur- den of county expense The delegation testified that in Duchesne county 45 per cent of all arable land is held in trust for the Indians and cannot annot be taxed not even lands farmed by white lees lees- ees Seventy-four Seventy per cent of the state according to Representative Colton is owned and nd free from taxation including public domain domain domain do do- main National Forests Indian I lands and areas withdrawn under various statutes of Indian lands enjoy an unfair advantage over competitive tive farmers as the former pay no taxes and can operate on a more ec economical basis while enjoying the benefits provided by the money I of those who v are taxed As long as ag Indians remain charges charges char char- I of the United States it is only fair air the government offer relief for handicapped ped counties I |