The Washington times., 1919-05-20
ROPER DENOUNCES
AXPROFITEERS

NEW YORK, May 20.-"About the
most contemplate profiteer in our
land today is the man who misrepre-
sents the tax to force higher prices
for his wares. Such a man has no
right to exist in any industry or be
permitted to circulate in good So
Ciety. He is a criminal and all good
citizens should assist in locating him
and bring him to justice. Tell me
where he is and 1 will point the way
to his winter quarters"
Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Daniel c. Roper thus addressed the
National Association of Manufacturers
today. The aid of all honest citizens
was invoked by Commissioner Roper
in bringing to justice the tax Stacker
and the tax profiteer.
Satisfactory administra ton of the
internal revenue law depends more on
the people than it does on the agencies
of the Government" said Commits
sioner Roper.
Il have considered that the func-
ton of the Internal Revenue Bureau
was primarily to guide and direct the
voluntary response of the great ma
jority of citizens to their just obliga-
tions under their own law. With this
believe that the bureau may success
fully perform its secondary function.
which is to seek out the sIackers and
make them pay. and Jail the fiend that
would profiteer on his credulous fell
lows by taking advantage of the tax
to increase prices.
Asks Citizens to Aid.
Every good citizen who Loyalty
pays his own tax has a vital interest
in the payment OF tax by others and
in seeing that the people are protected
against the dishonest profteer. En-
lightened public sentiment will make
it impossible for any man to evade his
tax. Every citizen should be a tax
gatherer. as we'll as a taxpayer. He
should discountenance propaganda or
idle opinion that encourages or de- |
tends the evasion OF tax. He should |
give the officers Of the law whatever |
information he may have that will !
facilitate the enforcement OF the law |
and the protection of the public |
against tax criminals.
"It is not fair or right that one man !
should pay his tax while another, |
perhaps his business competitor, pays !
nothing or pays less than his true |
liability or who gets an exorbitant |
price by Misrepresentation OF the tax.
Tax evasion cannot be defended !
on the ground that the law is in any
respect inequitable. 1t is the law; and
the law must be administered |
and observed. The administration
Of an unjust or undesirable law
brings its own relief and cor
rection. Congress will respond to the |
will Of the people, if only that will /
is intelligently expressed. i
Asks for Suggestions.
"Our revenue laws should be framed
in light Of the broadcast possible l
knowledge Of industrial and CONNER
;ial conditions and practices. In the
administration of the law also this ex.
pert knowledge is needed and must
Do regarded. The bureau welcomes
your suggestions and your crit
cisms and stands prepared to
rove to you that your suggestions
will be considered. and if not adopted
'Ou Will be shown why they cannot
,r should not be accepted.
"In making this invitation and as
uranCe to you, it is reasonable to
i'd that as the bureau seeks to gain
he viewpoint of the manufacturers
nd other taxpayers. so we expect you
o secure a sympathetic understand
ng Of the Government viewpoint; and 4
= the bureau seeks 10 make your
difficulties easier, so we invite you TO
id in the solution of our mutual prob
ems"