Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-08
M'CABE MAKES
PLEA FOR HELP
BY TAX PAYERS
Shertness of Time an Injustice,
But is Not Fault Of Revenue
Department.
HOLDS SCHOOL At TIE CLUB
Holds Revenue Law Improvement
Over Old One and Pounded
On Correct Principles

Generalities. rather than specific
instances, were dealt with at the
income tax conference at the Rock
Island club last evening. Such
specific information as was given
had 20 do mainly with the corpor-
alton tax and it necessarily was
more or less vague. since the rev.
enue Office was without printed
forms ard it was impossible 10 VS.
ualize the problem so that mem
bers Of the audience could easily
grasp It.
Collector Z. Z. McCabe OF the
Peoria district. delivered the pria-
Cipai address. discussing the
broader phases OF the question and
asking for cooperation to complete
a task which cannot he accom-
pllshed without f.. Jarva Chance.
income tax inspector stationed ir
Moline. and who is dealing mainly
with the corporation end Of the
business. talked on that phase OF
the revenue law Others connected
with the revenue office In this dis
trict we're present TO offer assist
ancs and advice to Il Ose who
might personally apply
Unjust All AROUND.
sir. HIcCabe in opening his adj
dress said it is unjust alike 10
the public and the revenue depart
ment to demand so mich in so
short a time. The fault. OF course.
lies with congress. However, there
is no way to get out OF it now.
and the best thing TO do IS to
pay the tax cheerfully and as
promptly as may be The need for
cooperation OF banks was especI-
ally urgent and members Of the
audience were asked to use their
influence with their bankers to
overcome reluctance that IS man
fest in some quarters to come to
the rescue. as was dore last year.
The collector pointed out that
this country is 240 years behind
even Russia in imposing an in
come tax. and that this method OF
raising revenue was old when this
republic was formed He said the
iDCOme tax IS here to stay and it
is founded on corTecl prir ciples.
for It puts most of the burden on
those best able TO bear it. Instead
OF making princes and paupers, as
other systems OF taxation have
done, the present revenue act has
the reverse effect.
Shows Kind OF Citizenship.
No government is stronger than F,
the will of the people and the man
ner in which taxes are paid is a
pretty good indication of the quail +
ity Of ones citizenship. Taxes rep
resent concrete support II govern Z
mont. and If they are not paid, (
government very quickly ceases to /
function. The speaker turned
aside for moment to pay his re-
spects to destructive political proo-
based upon a wrong standard for
the individual, a deviation from
Christian tenets.
Mr.. McCabe referred briefly to
the partnership and corporation re
turns The latter he said will offer
a correction Of certain discrimina- +
tons in the act in force a year
ago. though soma cOnfusI0f is oc-
casioned by the fact that the pres
eat law Covers two wears, with diff
ferent rates in force.
The revenue department does not
want to collect one cent that does
not belong to the government and
It does not want to cause those who I
are willingly cooperating unueces-
sary inconvenience. If there is
valid reason for asking for more
time, Mr. aIcCabe urged tina it be
given frankly
Head Of EamiIy.
a statement issued today br Col {
lector NcCabe defines the exac.
meaning Of the designation head +
Of ? family such person being /
the $4,000 exemption /
granted married person in the
fling Of an income tax return.
A head Of family" said Col
leCtoT McCabe. is person who
actually supports in one household
one or more persons closely con
nected with him by blood rela-
ttoaship, relationship b. marriage
or adoption. Whether in the alb
sence Of continuous residence with
his dependents a person is the heal /
oe family depends upon the char
aCteT of the separation
IF the benefactor is absent on
business or on account Of military
or naval duty. or a child or other
deuendent is absent temporarily at
school or on a visit the common !