New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-03
RETURNS AS TO INCOMES
CITIZENS GIVING THE INFORMATION RE-
lUIRED BY LAW.


INCREASE IN THE WORK AT THE OFFICES OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE COLLECTORS.
Saturday Is n short day in the business districts
of Nev-York City but there considerable busi-
ness transacted in the office OF the Internal Revenue
Collector of the Second District yesterday John A.
Sullivan, the collector. says that there Is con-
tnual Increase in work at his Office. and he thinks
IL will continue increase until April 10. which Is the
final date named by law for income tax returns Mr..
Sullivan expects TO receive about 1900 individual
returns at his office and thinks that more corpora
tons Will make returns In his district than IN an?
two other districts in the United States The busi-
ness concerns embraced in the Second District m
Glide some of the larses; in the country. the
boundary lines of the district are shown by a map
in Mr. Sulliyan's office 10 b.: The south side OF
Catherine-st beginning At South-st to Bowery; the
west side Of the Bow'iy to Canal-st.; the SOUTH
side Of Cana-st to Mott-st; the west side OF Mo''-
ST. 10 Houston-st., the vest side OF Houstoh-sr -
the. Bowery the west sie OF tie BoWery 10 fou III
ave: the west side Of Fourth-ave. To Fourteenth
st: the south side Of Fov";ecnth-st. 10 SNth-aVe'
the west side Of Sxth-:VC. to Twenty -fourth-st'
the south side OF Trcrty- '0urth-et. to the North
River. The Second Dls;r,c; includes all within III
above-named boundary ,'I Governors Island
The people who remember that incomes were
published when the lnst income tax law was IN
operation" said Nj. Sdli.yan yesterday. have an
idea that their statements will become public prop
erty This mistake or r.sirprehension on the par
OF TAXPAYERS cannot b. d-ncd too ernpnaticaily III
should be understood that the reports and state
ments made to the collector guarded carefully
and that nothing contained in them VIII be divulgeI
TO any person. under any circumstances.
It was explained that when the returns have
been examined by Mr.. sullivan and his chief deputy.
David $. Wendell. they placed in a vault where
they remain until they classified and sent to
Washington, where the REORGANIZATION is made.
In war times when income lists were published.
t.,I-t .l.f- l.xsr
porting incomes larger than the facts would war
rant The secrecy OF the Income Tax Department.
It Is said makes that abuse impossible The law
provides that If any officer connected with the de-
partment dscoses any Of the facts contained in
the income returns he be Immediately
discharged and debarred from ever holding office
under the Government The offending officer makes
himself liable to criminal prosecution for misde-
reanor. the punishment for which is fine Of
1850 or one years imprisonment. or both.
ON the whole the collectors OF the various dis
tricts agree that the apprehension on me score OF
making known to the public wrat Is contained In
the returns s groundless and uncalled for. Mr..
sullivan has found that TIE operation Of the income
tax has brought to lght the existence Of "a num-
Der Of taxable citizens whose modest way Of living
and apparent poverty make their returns sur
prise. More returns would have been made at the
various offices. but some taxpayers are awaiting
the outcome Of suits testing the validity Of the
thai account. because should the decisions be
against ;he law. those who have paid would be
rcmbursed without any difficulty
A. the Second District Office question came up
which hHs 6een re9enty dIeHd - ana
II vel satisfied to make > per cent on my IN
Ncstmcuts. and here ] have 10 pay the Government
. per cent which leaves me only per cent net
profit" II explained TO him that he was IN
error.
suppose" he was asked YOU have taxable
u,on from interest on bonds II 5000 or per cent
on t0O02 II You hat 10 pay $2.0yo Of that sum 10
the Government then your argument would De cor
rect. But the Government receives only per cent
Of your s5G1 which IS $50 which is Lilo ~ per
cent OF Your investment Of 500 0n.'
Ia District so. !. which includes the counties oi
KINGS. Queens. Richmond AMI Suffolk. 1000 in,
diyiIuM returns vii probably BE- made. 'h"i
puiy Alexander McEnny told a Tribune re.
porter vest rlay that The blanks are beng called
for ~ large numbers and that about 2" returns
have already been made.
Collector Healy's term expires tomorrow, me
senate having failed To- confirm his renomina tion.
and il is not Yet known who Will have the man
agcmcnt OF the Office.