The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-02-15
NEW TAXES
lContlnuQd from page I'D


He anticipates both new imperial
taxes and indirect assessments. The
former he prefers because they cost
less to collect, but he believes both
will be necessary, and hopes on the
whole for an increase In pay to meet
them.
The best representative OF tho out
and out believers that Germany Is to
see general and all around rise In
salaries Is the director OF one OF Ger
many's largest banks, who looks ut
the matter from the standpoint OF
the salarled employee rather than
that of the wage-earnlng workman.
He Is confident that the heavy tax
alton following the war will necessl-
tate a general advance In both sal
aries and wages, and that this In turn
will cause n slowlng-up In the crea-
ton of new capital for Investment.
The war. however, he says, has re-
yenled Germany's economic strength
in new light which makes n new
scale OF measurements necessary, and
that that which earlier seemed an I'M
possible task now seems much easier.
The burden Of the next taxation,
lie declares, will not be us great as
specifically appears, for there Is
likely to be good indemnity coming
to Germany. The empires war OUT
law, he estimates, at probable fifty
billion marks (twelve and,a hall bill
llonus OF dollars.
The new measure for raising and
repaying this sum with Its interest
charges he believes will take a varl-
ety OF forms, such as monopolies on
like tobacco and cigarets.
Many Of the economic measures
adopted during the war, such as the
bread cards, he predicts will bo re-
tanned In the interest Of necessary
economy.
The existing restriction upon the
empires tax practlce-reserving in
come and general property taxes to
the states-he thinks will be swept
away and replaced by imperial taxes
Of this sort.
He estimates that 1t will take Ger
many some six or seven years to re-
cuperate from the war. The rocup-
however, will be much
more rapid even than was the start
ling rapid regeneration Of France
after the war of1S0Ot71.
Retrenchment Is the watchword OF
the great majority OF laymen Of those
who are puzzling In advance over the
after-the-war taxation problem. They
hope for booming business conditions,
possible indemnltIes and other favor
able turns. but they believe that in
economy rather than by increases OF
wages that hit employer even while
they help employees In Germany ID be
enabled speedily To- pay it's debts.
The general lay view is voiced by
Count Kospoth. q member Of the
house OF lords Of the Prusslan Diet,
who declares that even a doubling Of
present taxes will raise only an
amount equal to drop Of water in
the ocean and that the bulk Of the
debts must be liquidated by strict
economy.
Count Kospoth's doctrine Is hailed
by everyone as sound, but not q few
have smiled at lts declarations. for
he is a man Of comparative wealth.
His recommendation that Germans
be content to ride in street cars in
stead OF taxicabs, and to do with four
hunters instead Of eight, hardly ap-
peals to the poorer classes.
He predicts openly that confiscatlon
II private property will be necessary,
but he dislikes the sound Of the word
and finally compromises
BY naming 1t the "lessening Of indlyi-
lual fortunes" Many again agree to
this argument, but they also smile
,nce moro when they contemplate the
Of the fortunes" Of the
average workman.
go back to the simple life Of our
he urges, and cites the
Of Frederick William III.
n eating a few cents worth Of fruit
ind turning his coat so that 1t shabbi-
,ess would not show. He predlcts
confidently that the German Nation,
WITCH has SO bravery and unfalter-
ngly given Its sons in its cause, will I
sven more Willingly give Its money
: ~