Evening journal., 1920-11-22

II saw statement in the paper the
other day about 1t being necessary
from now on for our Federal Govern
ment TO raise $1,000 100000 every year
by taxes" said Joe. Can you tell us
what all this money is for and how
II will be raised?"
Part OF your question ! can an
swer, and Will be glad to-" replied
Uncle Harry. The other par., / am
afraid ! can't answer-and 1 doubt If
any one could right now; but I'll be
glad to talk 10 you about this general
subject Of Federal taxes"
Isn't all this money needed 10 pay
the interest on the debt2' asked
Jimmy.
Vast Sums Required to Pay War Debt
"A large part Of il is" replied Uncle
Harry. probably three-duarters Of
II, that Is, about S30o9,O00,0O0. And
the whole gu st.on OF taxes Is going
to be one OF the most important to be
considered by Congress when 10 meets
next month. and during practically
every session for many years.
ut cost our Government a vast sun
OF money TO take its part in the Great
War, and practically all Of this money
was borrowed, largely In the form Of
Liberty Bonds Now the Government
has, as you know, promised TO pay
interest on all these bonds, and Uncle
sam being a reliable business man
does not intend 10 fail TO meet his
obligations or promises.
AS to how .he necessary money TO
pay this interest Will be raised is the
problem. 10 costs, nowadays. about
st,OOOOOOO00 a year to pay the gen
eral operating expenses OF our Ma
tional Government. But since the
Great War. Uncle Sans annual ex-
penses have iumped-accordlng TO the
estimates Of the officials Of the United
STATES Department OF the Treasury, TO
about $1,000, 900. .0O0-that is an in
crease Of about three billion.
II think every one realizes now that
the taxes in our cOuntryLas in every
country in the world for that matter
must be very heavy for many years
10 come. But 10 decide just how
those taxes shall be apportloned
among the people Is indeed a dinlcult
problem. The high cost OF living has
caused severe drain on every ones
pockeibOOk, and while recent reports
seem 10 indicate that the cost Of living
has been coming down some, and will
probably come down some more, IL
viii be a long time before a dollar
will buy as much as 1t did in 1910, for
example.
How Shall Taxes BE Apporiioned?
AS you know from your study Of
the u. s, Constitution, in school bills.
that Is, laws, for raising revenue.
must originate in the House Of Rep
| resentatlVes So that branch Of Con-
gress is going TO be very busy with
this question OF taxes during the com
l inc nnnNhC fInnVn NxfiII hn
committee meetings and public hear
I ings at which Congressman Will ask
| for suggestions from tax experts, and
/ individual citizens representing every
industry and group Of people 10 will
not be an easy task. but am sure that
| Congress will endeaVor TO raise the
necessary billions to pay our Govern
ments expenses and the interest on
our war debt. by deciding on the kind
OF taxes that are fairest to all con.
cerned and bear heaviest on thOsC
best able to pay and llghlest on thos,
who are least able TO pay.
Editors Note-Uncle Harry will b,
glad 10 answer inquiries, addressed L
him Care OF the Editor; either in thi.
column or by mail provided letter.
are signed with the full name and al
dress OF the persons writing. Tn,
correspondents names Will not ap
pear in the articles.
Copyright, 1920, by The NC Syndicate
November II, 1920.
Mr.. Rudon Tressler, 2222 Tatnall stree
Wilmington, Delaware:
Dear Friend.
Very glad TO receive your letter ad
dressed TO me, care OF the Wilmington
Journal, asking for information abou
Great Britain.
This Is indeed a big question. ar
important one and an interesting one