Evening star., 1919-04-10
dc MERITS VOTE,
Mr.. ROPER Says
States Views in Explaining
Tax Questions to n. and
NJ. Association.
FOR LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Congress should not hesitate to give
self government to the psople OF the
District, Daniel c. Roper, commission
er of internal revenue, told the Mer-
chants and Manufacturers Associa-
ton at a meeting in the boardroom
of the District building last night.
The meeting was called especially
to have Commiszioner Roper expf2tn 70
the business men Of the city just what
is expected of them In collecting ene
luxury tax and other special assess :
ments on various everyday commool-
ties.
CAPITAL Mecca of World.
Mr.. Roper began his talk with a
brief reference to the future OF Wash
ington.
Il congratulate you" he said. "on
to work. 1t will be more constantly
focused in the worlds eye in the
next decade than any other city. sIt
is today the mecca Of men ana women
the world round. Under wise guid-
forecasted at zoe, 900 in less than
three decades 1t should be the model
city for all Of our country in appear
ance and citisehship.
"As it should be the objective Of our
form Of government to safeguard the
ballot with Intelligence, there should
be no hesitancy in according yeu the
privilege of suffrage.
Commissioner Roper declared Ger
many made one Of its biggest mis-.
takes Of the war when 1t assumed
that the American people live only
to make money and would not hGht.
Advocates League Of Nations
In defending the league Of nations,
Commissioner Roper said:
The nations have become % close
IL interviewer that what disturbs one
disturbs all. An outlaw in the ram
lily of nations must not be permitted.
As in the individual human body 30
in the body Of the internationa! fam-
lily of nations. when q cafouncie de-
veiops it must be removed by the sane
and morally healthy members who
would protect against abnofnaiitaes;
Germany developed such a cancer and
promptly and as effectively a. pos
sible. To be sure, it was . costly
operation. but by spending dollars We
saved lives.
Two things we are now set upon:
First, to meet our war expenditures
as promptly as possible ana get our
men hack into normal business lines:
second. work out a plan that VIII
provide against future wars 1t mat
ters little what q few in0tvtduaIs,
or even = few groups of 1ndtvidvals.
think about the league Of nations
large percentage OF our people and
il as sure to come in proper form
as the inevitable forward movement
of human pregress."
Pamphlet Gives Tax Details.
Commissioner Roper announced that
a pamphlet giving all details OF the
special taxes on commodities VIII De
ready for distribution within q rev
days. This pamphlet. he said. VII
clear the minds of business men VINO
have been in doubt IS to just what
is called for in the luxury tax. De-
scribing the luxury tax. Ar. ROPER
said:
''The so-called luxury taxes become
effective May /. This is tax OF 10
per cent on the amounf paid for GER
tain articles in excess OF certain axed
prices. The luxury taxes will be coll
lected by the government monthly.
Luxury taxes cannot be included In
the selling price Of goods. Under the
enue act Of 1918 such articles as UNI
brellas, women's and mems hats.
boots and shoes. neckties. silk socks
and stockings, and other items are
taxable when sold IN excess OF q
specified retail price. This tax Is not
upon the total retail price. but upoA
the amount in excess of the specific
price mentioned in the law. Retailers
must keep record of each sale Of tax
able articles 50 that their monthly
reports. which will show total sales
and total taxes under each claSsi0ea-
tion, can be verified at the place OF
business by inspection"
Warns as to Price Raising.
A reminder to merchants not to in
crease the price Of TAXABLE articles more
than enough to cover the tax was
sounded by Mr.. Roper.
For nearly an hour after Mr.. Roper
finished speaking. ]. F. Walker. dep
uty collector of revenue, answered
questions on features of the law that
were not clear in the merchaAtS
minds. Gerson Nordliager presided.