South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-29
DEMOCRATS URGE
REFORM IN TAXES
Will Force Action in Congress
to Relieve Public from
War Revenue.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2s.--Unless
republican leaders OF congress ad-
dress themselves to a revision OF tax
alton on the resumption Of the re
gular session after the holidays.
democrats in the houseOf represen-
tatives intend 70 force the issue and
either compel the majority 10 take
affirmative action or make their re-
fusal 10 legislate on this subject so
plain to the people that there viii
be no misunderstanding Of their pO-
sition.
Prest Wilson has twice in his
messages TO the sixty-sixth congress
urged simplihcation Of present tax
alton OF profits and incomes. and
Sec'y OF Treas Glass has offered
changes that would improve the
methods Of collecting these taxes
and prevent their becoming a handi-
cap 20 business. The republican ma
jority has ignored both the president
and the secretary OF the treasury.
Democrats in the house OF repre-
sentatives assign various reasons,
for this refusal of the republican
leaders TO attack the problem of
taxation. One is that although a
reform Of war taxation was promised
by the republicans during the cam
paign a year ago and subsequently,
before the beginning Of the special
session, they now realize II is a
difficult and politically dangerous
undertaking. A second explanation
is that some OF the republicans hope
20 perpetuate these taxes until the
next presidential campaign and use
them as a means OF prejudicing
voters against democratic candi-
dates. Another theory IS that the
leaders Of the house are unwilling
TO take the initiative in the absence
of Sen. Penrose. who Is III and IN
able to participate in the proceed
ings Of congress or his party's
affairs.
II is likely that all three Of these
motives operate to deter the republi- /
cans from simplifying the tax laws
in the way the president has re-
commended. But the democrats +
purpose 10 let the thousands OF tax
payers know where the blame lies |
Can't Fool Taxpayers.
Persons in touch with political and !
legislative conditions are disinclined 7
to believe that republican leaders OF /
the intelligence and experience OF /
Con- Ioarroeo ord Pan Mann uoriot,g
" hope 10 deceive those from whom !
the government is collecting income /
and profits by continuing these in |
force until next year. For the most !
part these taxes are paid by indivi- I
duals and concerns that are fully /
aware Of the presidents recommen- |
dations to congress. II they them |
selves lacked information, they have !
legal advisers and other experts TO |
instruct them. They are not likely I
TO be duped by any petty political I
trickery that republican leaders may /
contemplate.
The majority in congress may well !
fear the seriousness Of the task that |
confronts them in reforming the tax /
laws The immense debt incurred in !
the war is still 10 be met-interest /
and principal The requirements Of ,
the government, according 20 the /
best experts in congress-republi- !
cans and democrats alike.-will be 4
fully 100000. 600 for the next .
fiscal year, irrespective OF the most .
rigid economy OF this sum about +
81 100000. 900 will have to be de- /
rived from income and profits taxes. .
To reduce these taxes without shift
ing the burden TO other shoulders
will involve the highest type OF
fiscal management.
Prest Wilson has questioned
whether these profits taxes. If main .
tanned at their present levels Will