The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-05
HYLAN TURNS DOWN
CAPPER'S TAX PLAN
Mayor Tells Kansas Governor
Wilson and McAdOO Are Able
to Run War Finance.
FARMERS TOO GREEDY
Their National Body Would
Go Close to Confiscation,
Thinks City Executive.

II tn. Hon. Arthur Capper. Governor
of Kansas and chairman of tire Farmers
National Committee on War Finance,
wants to take charge OF the financing or
tine war for that organization he will do
1t without the aid or consent OF Mayor
John f. Hylan. The Mayor cent a note
to the Governor yesterday declining to
have any part in the proposed pro-
gramme to lead Congress to proper un-
Outstanding OF the crying necessity for
soaking the owners OF property to the
extent OF all OF their holdings
President Wilson and Secretary Nc
Adoo, Il inks the Mayor, being legally
constituted officials in charge OF such
matters, are fully capable of handling
them without outside aid, and the city's
Chief Executive insists that they should
not be hampered with we'll meaning. al
belt useless advice
The letter was sent In response TO one
from Gov. Capper's organization reciting
Il a one-haH of the cost OF the war ought
to be raised by current taxation on war
profits, incomes and the value of unused
lands held for speculative purposes The
Capper organization favored taking all
OF incomes over $4,000 IL necessary un-
der its proposed tax scheme.
Problem Complex and Grave.
THE material you submit" answers
the Mayor. Indicates a complex and
grave problem which can only be solved
BY those responsible for and in close
touch with the country's financial situa-
ton as it is or may be. affected by the
war.
THE President OF the United states
and the Secretary of the Treasury are
most competent to suggest necessary tax
legislation. Because OF my confidence
In their ability and judgment and patriot
ism. would accept II cir judgment on
this subject without question. A just
apportionmont OF the burdens OF the war
is what all good people desire. but have
not had the opportunity to study this
subject so that could either indorse or
oppose your theories.
Il believe that as much as possible OF
the war costs should be raised by cur
rent taxation, but l am not competent
10 say how much II e people or the busi'
ness community can contribute in any
given time without interference with
commerce and industry and possible dis
ruptiou OF the mechanical part OF the
nations war programme.
Limits to ConnscatiOn.
The Government could go even fur
Their than you suggest. 1t can seize the
entire principal of the individual or the
corporation. That. however. could be
done only once. Our national enemies
would be glad 10 see us adopt laws based
on unsound principles so that all OF
our industries would be thrown into con-
fusion and our war activities made futile
Let us not shut our eyes to TIE fate OF
Russia. Her new leaders tried to do toe
much all AZ once.
The President will be fair 10 all
rich and poor--in his plans for winning
the war and paying the bills. Thus far
this part OF the country has given more
than it's full snare in men and money
and do not feel that it will be any helr
| 10 try and tell the President and the
Congress the way TO do Il ings that they
know more about than most OF us. Ny
thought Is FOR each ono in the ranks &c
do his work With a good heart and not
worry about the other man. He may be
a good patriot. too