The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-04-07
INDIRECT TAXES,

Indirect taxes are those that don't stay where
they put
A poll tax stays where it is put
1t is scheme to tax man because he is alive
He escapes it only after he is dead
A tax on man s home-lot, house, and furni-
ture-stays put He can't pass it to anyone
else. He can't demand higher wages because such
taxes decrease the chances for jobs and then lower
wages
tax on the office mans furniture stays put
He can't increase his fees or charges He is in the
same fix with the wage-earner All such taxes de-
the opportunities for useful occupations and
tend to diminish the possible income.
Most taxes on incomes stay put Not ALL how
ever. The man with very large income has some
chance of passing such taxes along and, Of course
he does it as far as possible.
Taxes on land values always stay where they
are put. Tie owner cannot pass them OH. They
make it harder to hold land idle, thus forcing
land into use. Consequently, the owner has more
cheaper, he will go broke. Taxes land values
are like taxes On dogs-they both tend to diminish
the evil they are aimed at.
Higher taxes on dogs, fewer dogs.
Higher taxes vacant lots, fewer vacant lots,
more lots used more men at work, higher wages.
But indirect takes are different They don't
stay where they are put. They paced on and
have to be paid by the at the end Of the line
the wage Garner the sa}arisd man, the home-owner
the working girl, the waSiwo1nan, the nurse the
All taxes On merchandise, groceries, etc., must
be added to the price of the goods and are paid by
the end man-the ultimate consumoc.
AL taxes on money, mortgages and credits are
OF the same sort They increase the rate Of interest
and add to tie BURDENS OH misunderstanding in
dustry and reducing wages
All tariffs and internal revenue taxes have tho
same effect. They are added to prices and paid by
the consumer and each handler of the goods gets his
profit on the taxes he has advanced.
All gross earnings taxes on railway companies
gas comps-:co, electric companies, telephone and
telegrepn companies, insurance companies and all
other similar concerns aided to the price
charged TO" service and generally with profit on
the taz:. So they are usually money -1naking
scheme for tie big corporation instead CT burden
The st. Paul Gas Light Company rays per
cent gross earnings tax. It is then allowed to
charge 5 cents thousand mere fer gas, thus max
ing nice profit on tAe tax. The company pays to
the city oents every $780, but collects from t9
people ceatc on every so certs
Inc Chicago Steel Railway company pays SIS pe>
cent OF Its net earnings tax to the city, but
who pays it 70 the company? Those who ride on
cars OF course. 1t is good thing for the company,
but hard on the the poor people who ride.
They do it better in Cleveland. There you ride
| for cents The company never gets the money so
Inc city saved the trouble and expense of trying
TO tax 1T back The people keep it in their pockets
and spend it for useful things that labor has pro.
duced, thus tending to increase wages and add to
tne comforts OF the common people.
All indirect taxes are schemes for taxing people
wnen they don't know it-for plucking the goose
honest-a fraud and swindle. They increase the
price OF good things diminish the output, reduce
the number of jobs, lower wages and tend toward
bankruptcy of business and poverty of the masses,
:. l.. 1ou Mr. Voter, what are you going to do about
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