The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-08-01

grand success judging from the large re-
ceipts and accurate returns
Most of the returns were handled through
the New York city office. On March 15 the
last day of filing returns, twenty bags Of
mail were recc<ed from the Wall street
station. On the same day the registered re-
turns numbered 1000 pieces. 50 great was
the volume OF incoming mail that lightning
letter opening machines reinforced by over
one hundred people worked day and night
emptying the contents of envelopes.
Our experience during the last few weeks"
said Mr. Graves. has been that the btterest
protest against paying the income tax came
from residents of New Jersey who receive
every dollar of income from within the State
OF New York. The larger the income from
our Sew York State industries and business
enterprises the louder the cry against pay
ing the tax.
Acknowledgement McCran advised resi-
dents of New Jersey to pay the tax under
protest and as a result the office has been
swamped with written protests. II by a later
decision 1t is determined that the non-res-
dent is not subject to the tax any amount
paid by him will be Immediately refunded
by the Comptroller. whether or not a pro-
test has been filed.
"We found the New Jersey resident with
a small tax paid without a murmur, while
the loudest protest came from persons who
through the wonderful opportunities New
York city offers received incomes running
all the way from $40, 900 to 500 900 year
A majority of these persons would not find
1t such easy sailing financially without en-
plOyment in New York, and under the cir
cumstances we feel they should help pay
the running expenses OF the State" y
Samples of the Protests.
Some of the protests We're CouChed in vigor-
Gus language while others simply stated that
taxing non-residents was contrary to the
provisions of the Constitution: that it Genied
to nonresident individuals the equal pro-
lection of the law. and the payment was
made to avoid the pains of penalties i'm
posed by the statute.
Here is sample from heated Jerseyite:
Il wish to go on record paying
this outrageous tax under protest. and
desire that you file this letter as a record
will use every means at the earliest pos
sble moment TO recover this amount as
in the opinion of the writer and many
others 1t is a tax without just grounds
whatever Had the State where | re-
side passed similar law taxing Netv
Workers in NeW Jersey there tcould hare
OttH u HOWl on tHlS sue OF tHe UlluUG
Which would hare shaken the Woolcorth
Building
Again. should my home State pass a
similar tax law would then be compelled
to pay three taxes on the one income
One to the Federal Government one to
the State of New York and one to the
State in which l reside However, New
Jersey has seen the rank injustice of this
tax on non-resldents and has refrained up
to date from passing such a ridiculous
statute.
'The writer only trusts that New, York
States income will be sufficient to enable
her to get along without making the tax
100 per cent"
A Plea for Unmarried Women.
A plea for unmarried women in the bust
less world to equal exemption as the head
of a family Is made in the following letter.
written by a New Jersey woman who is
prominent in Young Mems Christian Asso-
ciatiEn work in New York city:
"Inasmuch as income tax regulations
both Federal and New York State, contain
neither adequate nor intelligent recogni-
tion Of the status of unmarried women
earning her own livehood-and that of
others-a recognition of the fact that the
host of unmarried women now In the bust
world are carrying asSheavy domestic
obligations married men or married
women. for myself and other women
similarly situated object to the New York
State income tax now levied
when an unmarried woman is a joint
supporter of her own household though
she cannot. technically. claim the head
ship of family. it does seem as though
the generous tax exemptions or evasions
possible for people of married responsible
y ties and large incomes should be extended
to her class"
John H. Elliott, director of the metropol-
itan district, says that force of investiga-
tors as thick and persistent as the Jersey
meadow variety of mosquitoes will descend
on that State and keep moving until the
provisions of the New York State income tax
law are complied with.