The Washington times., 1919-03-10
D. c. ROPER
GIVES FULL
DETAILS OF
VICTORY TAX

Under the revenue act Of 1918
$4,000. .OOOO, 600 are to be collected from
the people of the United States during
the calendar year of 1919. II thiE
tax were distributed evenly accord
ing To population, nearly $50 would
have TO be assessed against every
man, woman. and child in the country,
or about S1OO against every adult
person. Obviously, the tax could TO:
be collected if it were levied in any
such manner. Necessarily, Congress
has endeavOred to give consideration
to all the complex influences that af-
feet the individual taxpayers ability
10 pay. The result is a Jaw, which,
as It is designed to be equitable, is
inevitably and admittedly intricate.
The framing of this law was n drf-
dcult- matter. The course OF the bill
through Congress consumed much
more time than was required for the
passage of the 1917 law. In fact, the
measure became law only a few days
in advance Of the. date set for the
hltng Of returns by taxpayers and the
payment OF the first installment cf the
tax For sound fiscal reasons the
date of these payments. Therefore.
on March 15 the people OF the United
States are expected to pay in cash 70
the collectors of internal revenue
not less than one billion dollars. The
syent VIII probably bring a larger
payment as the experience OF last
Year leads US to expect that many tax
payers viii be willing to give the Gov
eminent Immediately the use Of the
entire amount which IS due from them.
Tax May BE Extended.
On condition that the first INSTALL
,Rnenf Of the tax estimated by the tax
payer is paid by March Is, the time
FOR fling corporation and individual
Teturns will be extended until May l.
Thus there may be reasonable time
for the taxpayer to study the law
and regulations in order to determine
the amount Of his tax liability. In
this way the immediate problems
caused by the late enactment Of the
law have been solved in the best
manner possible both for the Gov
ernment and taxpayers.
The. Government will receive on
time the revenues which are a neces-
sary part Of the financial program;
the taxpayers, by estimating their
a
an amount equal to as much as one
fourth OF their estimate, will avoid
the. interest charge and the penalty
for deferred payments; and the bu-
Teau, as well as the taxpayers, will
have fOrty-five days additional time
TO settle many questions of the in
depreciation and application OF the
law.
During the continuance OF our mill
7ary and naval operations. while the
German army held the offensive and
later when our own marines and SOL
diers snatched from them the victory
which was almost within their grasp
and rolled them backward. retreat
ing, but still defiant, beyond the land
they had despoiled and devastated.
every measure of our Government
was assured Of cheerful acceptance
and earnest support. Sacrifice and
devotion was the spirit Of the time.
and the fruit Of that spirit was vic
tory.
Eager for Restoration.
Now that the victory has been won.
every one is naturally eager, and even
impatient. for the restoration of nor
NAL conditions. Our military forces
are resting on their arms awaiting
rehabilitation. Large bodies Of
troops already have been mustered
out of the service. Transports from
overseas are returning with the men
who have earned the gratitude and
reclamation Of the people. Restric-
tions on the economic life OF the cOun-
Try have been removed. Industry and
commerce are taking up again the
pursuits Of peace. It is time OF re-
action and relaxation, and the people
naturally will be disposed . examine