Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-21
RICHMOND TMEs-DIsPATCH: WEDNESDAY, MAY 81 1919


justed toyyield constant and adequate
returns andLis,a not constitute a too
srierous, harden on the taxpayer The
revision ~ the income tax has already
but ! think yoY will iand that, further
changes can ,S made to advantage
the method of its collection.
The excess profits tax need not
long be maintained at the rates which
were necessary while the enormous ex-
penscs of the war had to be borne
but IL should be made the basis OF
permanent system which Will reach
undue fixed profits without discour-
aging the enterprise and activity OF
our business men. The tax on inherit
ances ought. no doubt, TO be recon
sdered in its relation to fiscal systems
OF the several States. hut II certainly
ought TO remain permanent part Of
the fiscal system OF the Federal gov
eminent also.
DO Away With Many Minor Taxes.
Many OF the minor taxes provided
for in the revenue legislation OF 1917
and 1915. though no doubt made ncccs-
sary by the pressing necessities of
the war time. can hardly find sufficient
stances Of peace, and can now happily
he got rid of. Among these, hope
various manufacturers and the taxes
upon retail sales. They are UNEQUAL in
the incidence on different Industries
and on different individuals Their col
lection is difficult and expensive
Those which arc levied upon articles
sold At retail are largely cvaded
by the the :, rel ~ to maintain
taxes; and the fact that alcoholic
liquors will presently no longer afford
a source of revenue by taxation makes
IT the/ more necessary that the field
should be carefully restudied In order
That equivalent sources of revenue may
be found which it Will he legitimate.
and not burdensome. to draw upon.
But YOU have at hand In the Urea surv
department many experts who can adj
wise you upon the matters much better
man can. | can only suggest the
lines OF permanent and Workable
system, and the placing OF the taxes
where they. will least hamper the life
OF the people.
..,, No Tariff Changes Pressing.
mere Is; tortunateliy. no occasion
i TOR undsrt anndns in Che immediate fu-
tenn OF import duties. No serious danger
Of foreign compel ion now threatens
cn,nd , industries. Our country has
ana less weakened than any OF the
european countries which are our COM
pet'tors IN manufacture. Their indus
ira establishments have been sub
lcctcd TO greater strain than ours. heir
laoor !orcc 10 more serious disor-
; Sa,ilzatiol, and this is .osearly not the
LINE ,, to seek an organized advantages.
INC work OF mere reconstruction Viii.
! am afraid: tax the capacity and The
re OF their people for years TO
N
danger or need OF accentuatcd forcisn
composition. ii is likely that the ronrii
, fnrii;, OF inc I'm, next few years will greatly
manufacturers abroad I,c,s; of al
should We depart from the policv
n nd cI,t,, in the tarin act of 1918. OF
United states OF the raw ateriais
needed to supplement- and enrich our
Own abundant supplies
nevertheless. there are parts NJ our
!ariI system which need prompt at.
ssnllon. In? experiences OF tho wa,
, nv mai" II lloir that in some cases
is dangerous. and that in dG,crmininSS
certain parts OF orr tariff policy domcs
mind f0 which srs po1 nsl be borne in
economic. Among the industries tn
which special consideration should be
'sestuHs ana related chemicals.
depend on Own Resources.
our complete dependence upon Ger
,nan supplies before the war made the
interruption of trade n cause of ox
centlonai economic disturbance. Thc
G los, reis ton between the manufac-
OF explosives and poisonous gases on
inc inc other, moreover, has given tho in
Vaiur an ai,S exceptional n Significance and
3 lady and unhesitatinSly join i'm the
program of international disarmament,
II Mil., ln,evertheless. be, policy Of
the successful maintenance Of many
s',ronE and well-equipped chemical
piants. inc German chemical industry.
with which We will be brought, INTO
competition. was. and may we'll be
,Eain. thoroughly knit monopoly cap
aoIe oi exercising a competition of a
kind. Jus
The United States should, moreover.
ave the means OF properly protecting
ltseii whenever our trade is discrimi-
mated against by foreign nations. in
order that we may be assured OF that.
squalty or treatment which we hone
20 accord and TO promote the world
over. Our tariff laws Is they now stand
ploNide no weapon OF retaliation in
'aSe other governments should cuaci
cglslation unequal in its bearing ON
our products as compared with the
products OF other countries Though
we are as far as possible from desirinr
10 enter upon any course of retaliation,
We must frankly face the fact that
hostile legislation by other nations il