Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-06-13
FAILURES OF DIRECT TAXATION
Former Senator From Washington
Advocates Radical Change.

claring that direct taxation is crude
and unscientifc, former United
States Senator George Turner of
Spokane points to indirect taxes, ex-
cises and imposts as the solution,
adding that this change can be ac-
cOmplished by suitable legislation
without constitutional amendment
He holds that the state taxing sys-
tenn is wrong. because lands are
made to bear the entire burden
He added:
Il say that lands are made to
bear the entire burden because the
taxes raised from other kinds of
property are so inconsiderable as
not to be worth computing. 1t al
ways will be so under a system of
direct taxation. Personal prop
erty is movable and capable
of such easy transmutation; and
many forms of it, as money,
diamonds, stocks and bonds, are so
easily concealed. that it is hopeless
to expect to have them listed for
taxation. Yet the wealth of our
people in personal property is as
great and probably greater than it
is in real estate; and since that
form of property can not be reached
for taxation and never has been in
any government under the sun, It
is unfair and unjust to make real
estate, which includes the land of
the farmer and the little home of
the laborer and mechanic, pay a
double burden. 1t is not only unfair
and unjust, but it is wholly I'M
necessary.
Amy system of direct taxation
is crude and unscientific and but
little better than that which sub
sists in Turkey and China. No
civilized government now resorts to
It, The United States is now raising
81 ,O00, 100000 a year in taxes with
out levying a cent in direct taxes.
the country feels the pinch Of it.
ION the other hand. here in Wash
ington, with one-eightieth of the
population of the entire country and
more than one-eightieth of its
wealth, and with an expenditure
for our state. county and munich
pal governments less than one
eightieth of that expended by the
national government, we are eaten
up with taxation. That is because
our system of taxation is wholly
direct and falls almost entirely on
real estate. The growth of our
cities is being seriously hampered
by the burden. Our tax rate alone
is equal to what men consider a
fair income on their property in
older and better governed countries.
THE remedy is not to be found
in equal indirect taxation. The
field is as open to the states for that
form of taxation as it is to the
United States. except that the states
are forbidden by the constitution of
the United States to levy duties on
imports and exports. But every
other form of duty, excise, impost
and tax is at the service of the
states.
Indirect taxes are the most just,
because all taxes, unless they be
direct taxes on the farm and home,
are paid in the end by the con-
sumner, and 1t Is just that he who
consumes most should pay most.
They are the most easily borne be-
cause the tax payments in the main
are imperceptible and not felt. II
any doubt this statement he has
only to recall the enormous sum an
nually raised by the national govern
ment and to remember the ease with
which he has met his share of the
burden.
For state and county purposes
the revenues should be raised, and
could be raised, by excuses and i'm
posts, and 1t could be done so
easily and in such full measure that
there would be a surplus to turn
over to the municipalities OF the
state in proportion to population for
municipal purposes. would sug-
gest as some OF the means OF in
direct taxation:
An income tax. to be paid by
individuals and corporations.
IAN occupation tax upon lawyers.
doctors. merchants, dentists and
all others who levy tribute on the
public. always excepting those who
do manual labor or work on salary.