The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-12-22
CONGRESS TRYING !
TO WORK OUT TAX
MEASURE WITH THE
KICK ELIMINATED
Ways and Means Commit.
tee Confer With New
York Bankers on Pos
sible Legislation
WANT LAW LEAVING
NO PROFITEER'S GAP
CONSUMERS MUST PAY FREIGHT,
BUT THE PAYMENT MUST BE
EQUALLY DIVIDED,
SEEMS THE IDEA M

Washington, Dec. 22.-Development
Oh tax revision program in con-
gress, although proceeding slowly,
has disclosed in the house a growing
trend in favor of including some sort
of sales tax in the next revenue leg
islation. The statement yesterday of
Chairman Fordney of the ways and
and means committee, say that they
retain an open mind on the subject.
their private expressions show senti-
ment in the committee even now to be
slightly in favor of a consumption
tax. During the hearings in the
last two days Meyer d. Rothchild OF
New York, and Otto r. Kahn, New
York. bankers, presented arguments
in favor Of a sales tax.
Mr.. Kahn said that while sales
tax would be an experiment to an
extent, it was one which should be
made. Several members Of the COM
mittee declared his argument in favor
Of the proposal had been very con-
vincing.
Business of the country is demand
ing and must have early revision Of
the tax laws If it is to have healthy
growth. Mr.. Kahn told the house
ways and means committee today In
statement in which he denounced
economic aspects Of the treaty of
Versailles and declared for O continu-
alton of income sur-taxes.
The excess profits tax "must go'
Mr.. Kahn said, adding that, while II
was theoretically sound, its disadvan-
tages outbalanced its advantages.
Continuation Of the income sur
taxes, Mr.. Kahn explained. was
social necessity, but he warned against
excessive levies on the higher in
comes, on the ground that they did not
produce the maximum of revenue for
which they were designed. He said
also that he opposed any exemption
under income tax provisions.
"Your problem" Mr.. Kahn con-
tinued, ''is to gind out how to make
the sur taxes economically sound. II
is question of finding how and what
rates can be made to produce the
maximum. But l think there is
danger in excessive levies of surtaxes
and this should be guarded against
Before Mr.. Kahn was called, Chair
man Fordney stated that he and
other members OF the committee were
in favor of "some kind" OF sales
tax as one of the means Of raising
the four billions of revenue needed
annually by the government.
"It seems a sensible tax" said the
chairman.
Committee members who are ont
and out against the sales tax and
who described 1t as an economic
crime. assert that the arguments IN
its favor VIII be dissipated once the
consumer is aroused TO the effect II
will have. They declared Il to he
worse than the excess profits tax.
charging that it will allow all lines
OF trade to renew profiteering.
Against these views. however, are
many of the majority members OF
the committee who are following the
| leadership of their chairman in seek
| ing some sort Of sales tax which
will not add to the burden of taxa
alton.
The committee lately has received
copies OF the sales tax laws OF
France. Canada and the Philippines
which Mr.. Fordney said had been
obtained as basis upon which to
york.
Washington, Dec. ga vote before
adjournment was a schedule under
which the house was working today
in considering the Fordney emergency
tariff bill designed TO check falling
prices on more than n score OF farm
products by virtually stopping their
importation. through heavy duties.
Adoption of n special rule yesterday
giving the measure right of way and
limiting debate, left no opportunity
for debate TO include other articles
when the bill was called up today.
II