The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-11-20
TO RELIEVE POOR
FROM TAX BURDEN
Plan TO Combine Income and
Inheritance Taxes.
MEET ANY POSSIBLE DEFICIT

The 10 HE svoosstlen 10 secretary 81
Labor-Prowptsd by the Financial
Problem incident 70 the National De-
fsnss Pisn-Nss~iy An Would D
cellsetsd From the RIeh.
Frederic @. Howe. commissionsr Of
immigration ct New York, has sent to
Secretary OF Labor Wilson a detailed
plan for meeting n possible treasury
dencit caused by the financing OF the
ADMINISTRATOR big national defense
program.
II IL generally conceded that Presi-
dent Wilson has formed a tentative
plan for raising tho millions Of dollars
necessary TO the increase OF the mill
tary forces, but until he explains to
congress I'm his annual message how be
expects to raise II Howes plan 10 At.
tracing considerable attention.
Howe proceeds on the theory that the
expenses OF the preparedness plan
should be met by taxation rather than
by the sale OF bonds. Briefly his idea
Is to heavily increase the income tax
and avoid as much as possible taxes on
products OF consumption. which are
usually paid by the poor
America collects approximately $3.50
per capita from customs taxes. Ger
many collects $3.50; Austria S2.2o.
Russia "a cents and japan 40 cents.
In addition the burden OF internal
revenue falling upon the American
poor IL about $3.50 per capita, while
the income tax yields only about 90
cents per capita.
Great Britain. however, even be.
fore the war. collected $40 per capita
from the income tax. Additionally the
British government collected $40 per
head from an inheritance tax. All told.
Great Britain collected ~ per cent OF
her total revenues from this source.
And her taxable wealth In very much
less than the United States.
Collect II From the Rich.
Every demand Of justice suggests
that the burden OF federal taxation
should be readjusted. Certainly any
increase should not be thrown upon
the backs OF the poor, II should be
collected from those best able to
bear II. And we have only begun 10
tax incomes and inheritances. The
taxable incomes. both personal and
corporate. exclusive OF exemptions.
amount TO probably $1,000. 100000. The
wealth OF the United States 10 In the
ueighborhood OF $3.50 900 100000.
Here are two sources OF incrcas-
ed revenue Probably $1,000 100000
changes hands through death every
year. IL 30 per cent OF this were ex-
empt II would leave taxable fund OF
ssi SOC. 100000. which. II taxed mt n
progressive rate OF from l per cent
TO per cent. would yield from $780,
100000 to t1O0.OO0.OO0 without serious
burden TO tho benenciaries. Certainly
inheritance In excess OF $1,000. 00O
could easily bear the burden OF per
cent. and no real injustice would be-
done IL the tar were "a high m 10 per
cent. An additional sJ0.000.00o and
tlOo.O00.000 could be raised from an
increase In the tar upon income. IN.
Guiding the the surtax.
THE income tax I'm Great Britain
has been raised In recent years TO 30
per cent upon very large Incomes
From these combined sources 800
100000 20 500 100000 could easily be
added 10 our federal revenues"
One hand caught In pocket OF West
Point man at New York hotel, pick
pocket slipped stranger 500 watch
with other hand and got away.
From poorhouse 10 Inheritance OF
$4,000 IL luck OF Connecticut man,
while oklahoma girl, working her way
through school. falls heir 10 $4,000.
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