Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-07-25

of Emulation-Ho~ the Taxes Should
Be Apportioned.
BY EDWIN r. A. SELIGMAN,
Mcvickar Professor of Political Econ
omy. Columbia University.
On May %, 1917, the House of Rep
resentatives passed an act Ito provide
revenue to defray war expenses and
for other purposes" In the original
bill as presented by the Committee OF
Ways and Means. the additional reve-
nue. TO be derived was estimated at ST.
$40, 10000. The amendment to the in.
come tax, which was tackled on to the
bill during the discussion in the House,
was expected TO yield another $4,000
600 or $50OO0,000.
In discussing the House BILL two
problems arise:
l. How much should be raised by
taxation?
II. In what manner should this sum
be raised?
I. How Much Should Be Raised by
Taxation?
How was the figure OF 81. 100000
arrived at? The answer is simple. When
the Secretary Of the Treasury came TO
estimate the additional war expenses
for the year 1917-1S. he calculated that
they would amount TO some $G,GO0,-
100000. of which S3.000,OOOO0O was to
be allotted to the allies. and $1,000
100000 was 10 be utilized for the do
nestle purposes. Thinking that it
would be a fair proposition to divide
this latter sum between loans and
taxes. he concluded that the amount
to be raised by taxes was S1.SOO.OOO.-
OOo
There are two extreme theories. each
OF which may be dismissed with scant
courtesy. The one is that all war ex-
pendItures should be betrayed by loans.
and the other is that all war expendi-
lures should be betrayed by taxes
Each theory is untenable.
IL is indeed true that the burdens of
the war should be borne by the pres
ent rather than the future generation:
but this does not mean that they should
y
Meeting all war expenses by taxation
makes the taxpayers in one or two
years bear the burden OF benefits that
ought to be distributed at least over a
decade within the same generation.
In the secold place, when expendi-
lures approach the gigantic sums of
present-day warfare, the tax-only pol
icy would require more than the total
surplus of social income Were this
absolutely necessary, the ensuing hav-
&C IN the economic life Of the communi-
~ would have TO be endured. But
where the disasters are so great and
at the same time so unnecessary, the
tax-oply policy may be declared i'm
Practicable e4~-2sxss-4Sassss. 'rz=u.ssas.--,
Secretary McAdoo had the right in
stinct and highly commendable cour-
age in deciding that substantial por-
ton, at least, OF the revenues should
pc derived from taxation, But when
he hit upon the plan Of $3.50 per cent,
shat is, OF raising one-half OF all do
nestle war expenditures by taxes, the
question arises whether he did not go
t22 e. :. - L.
The relative proportion Of loans 10
taxes ia after ali purely business
proposition Not TO rely to a large OK.
tent on loans at the outset OF a war is
a mistakf
Disadvantages Of Excessive Taxes.
The disadvantages OF excessive taxes
nc the outset of the war are as follows
l. Excessive taxes on consumption
viii cause popular resentment
2. Excessive faxes on industry win
dlsarrange business. damp enthusiasm
ana restrict the spirit Of enterprise at
the very time when the opposite is
needed.
3. Excessive taxes on incomes viii de-
plete the surplus available for invest
mer<s and interfere with the placing of
the enormous loans which will be neces-
sary IN any event.
4. Excessive taxes on wealth will
cause a serious diminutfon of the in
comes which are at present largely
drawn upon for the support of educa-
tlonal and philanthropic enterprises.
Moreover. these sources of support
would be dried up precisely at the time
when the need would be greatest.
5. Excessive taxation at the outset Of
the war will reduce the elasticity avail
able for the increasing demands that
are soon 20 come.
Great Britain's Policy.
Take Great Britain as an example
During the first year of the war she
increased taxes only slightly. in order
to keep industries going at top noech
During the second year she raised by
new taxes only . per cent. OF her war
expenditures. During the third year
she levied by additional taxes lover
and above the pre-war leveD only
/ slightly more than = per cent. of her
I war expenses.
+ II We should attempt to do as much
IN the first year OF the war as Great
Britain did in the third year it would
/ suffice to raise by taxation $3.50. COO,
| eco. II, in order TO be absolutely on
the safe side. Il seemed advisable to
increase the sum to $3.50. 600. 900, this
should, in our opinion, be the maxi
mum.