Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-08-12

with which we of America view the
obligations OF this generation. I'M
mediately following the armstice
measures to modify onerous and an
noying taxation should have been
taken and the Republican congress in
which all tax laws must originate. and
which for almost two years has ex-
clusively held the power to amel-
iorate this condition, has not made
single effort or passed a single law
to lift from the American people
load of war taxation that cannot be
tolerated in time Of peace. Federal
taxation must be heavily reduced, and
1t will be done at once, II a Democratic
administration is chosen in November.
WOULD REDUCE TAX BURDEN
Without hampering essential national
administrative departments, by the elimi-
nation of all others and strict economy ev-
erywhere, national taxes can be reduced
in excess of two billion dollars yearly. An
noying consumption taxes, once willing
ly borne. now unjustified. should he re-
pealed. The incomes from war-made Tor
tunes, those of non-produCers and those
derived by unfair privilege may he able
to carry their present load but taxes on
the earnings of the wHgc-r1rucr, of III"
salaricd and professional man. Of the
agricultural producer and of the small
tradesman should be sharply modified. !
believe that a better form Of taxation
than the so-called excess profits tax may
he found and I suggest a small tax. prob
ably one to one and one half per cont on
the total business of every going concern.
1t is to be understood that the term bus
iness' as used does not include income
received by wage-earners salaried men,
agriculturists and the small business man
who should be exempt from this tax. The
profiteer and some of the highly oapitaiz-
ed units have used the excess profits tax
as a favorite excuse for loading on the
consumer by means of highly inflated sell
ing prices many times the amount actual
~ paid the government. A necessary con-
diton to the national contentment and
sound business is a just proportion be-
tween fair profits to business and fair
prices to the consumer. II is unquestoned
that the enormous expansion Of public
and private credit made necessary as
part OF war financing the diversion of
the products of many industries from
their usual channels, as we'll as the dis
turbance to general business caused by
the withdrawal of millions of men from
producing fields. all contributed to the
rise in prices. Reverson of these various
tend toward a recession in the enormous
y inflated prices of many commodities
and property values and there are now
evidences that a sane adjustment is not
far distant. Deep patriotic sentiment en-
thralled our people during the war and
slight attention was given to the enor-
nous economic changes that were then
in progress, and when observed these
changes were generally accepted as one
Of the trials necessary to be endured and
they were submerged in the thought and
purpose for victory While millions Of free
men, regardless Of wealth or condition.
were giving of their blood and substance.
many corporations and men seized the
very hour that civilization lay PROSTATE
to secure for themselves fortunes wrung
from the public and from the government
by the levying of prices that in many
cases were a crime. Under present taxa
ton laws much capital is drawing out of
industry and finding investment in nom
taxable securities. This will cease If the
changes sue gested are made.
TO STOP PRoFITEERING
In the analysis of government. as the
events of to-day enable us to penetrate
the subject, we see the difference be-
tween the old and the progressive
reactionaries is that government should
not function more widely than it did
in the past, but they seem to forget
that the fundamental of our plan is
equal rights for all and special privi-
leges for none. Modern life has de-
veloped new problems. Civilization con-
tinues to build along the same basic
lines. and, altrustic as we may all he
disposed to be. tho fact remains that
except for the exchange of products
between individuals commercial units
and nations, our development would be
SLOW. All Of this growth goes on under
the protection of and with the encour-
agement of government. The least,
therefore. that might be rendered UNI
to government for this continuous
service is a policy of fair-dealing. Too
often the genius of man prompts him
TO play for governmental advantage,
and the success which has been
achieved in this particular has led to
the formation of groups which seek
this very advantage. We are busy
people, preoccupied in too large degree
with purely commercial considerations,
ana we have not recognized as we
should that the failure of government
to prevent inequalities has made ii
possible for mischievous spirits to de-
Velop prejudice against the institutions
or government rather than against
administrative policy There is a very
| important difference here. This differ
ence bears directly on profiteerine.
which is to-day the most sinister in
fluence in American life. 1t is not
new thing in America. The tribe of
profiteers has simply multiplied under
the favorng circumstances of war For
years, large contributions have been
! made to the Republican campaign fund
Tor no purpose except to buy a gov
erhmehtal underhold. and to make il
legal profits as the result of prefer
ence. Such largesses are to-day a
greater menace to our contentment and
our institutions than the countless
temporary profiteers who are making
mockery or honest business, but
who can live and fatten only in time
or disturbed prices. II I am called to
| service as president means will be
| round II they do not already exist.
| TOT compelling these exceptions to the
great mass OF square dealing American
| BUSINESS men, to use the same yard
| st'oh oi honesty that governs most of
US III our dealings with our fellow
men or IN language that they may I'M
i 10 suffer the penalty OF
INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS
mere Is another reason for the fabulous
CONTRIBUTIONS TO the present Repu blican
campaign fund Much money of course.
| mas peen subscribed in proper partisan
zeal put the great bulk has been given
WIN the oennlte idea of gaining service
| III return Many CAPTAINS of industry,