The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-08-19
WILL WAR RICH
ESCAPE TAXES

Washington, Aug. l3.-Will the
extreme wealthy in this country cs-
/ cape the tax burden so heavily borne
/ by others?
Will the tax now levied on the
/ extreme wealthy be shifted to 9TH
ers?
And will the war profiteers es-
/ cape with their loot?
A highly organized propaganda
to abolish excess profits and reduce
the surtax feature Of the income
tax law has been conducted. The
reduction Of the surtax-or the cut
| ting down of the additional income
tax on large incomes-wll effect
but a few thousand people. This
! group, while small, represents the
| plutocracy of our country.
Organized labor demands that the
excess profits and surtaxes be re-
| tanned.
1t is stated that administration
| leaders have agreed to abolish the
excess profits tax, dating back to
the first Of the year This meant
a loss Of half billion dollars.
Another $90,0O0,OO0 will be lost
! through reducing the surfaces, and
! 50,000,0 900 will be lost by repeal
! ing the nuisance tax and the tax
on luxury clothing.
To offset this loss it is pro
| posed to increase the income tax
{ on all corporations. 1t is claimed
that Iarge corporations will profit
/ by the plan at the cost of small
business. Drastic cuts in expendi-
lures are also proposed.
Numerous kites are sent up to
sound public opinion on additional
taxes that are given the soothing
term, "taX establishments" One
kite will tells us that all checks
will be taxed, but this "feeler'
brings such storm of protest that
the kite falls to the ground
The next day another kite is
sent up to find out how tax of
$40 on automobiles will "takq.'
The plan is to assess every auto a
like amount, whether it be flivver
or touring car. The roars of pro
test drives this kite into cold stor-
age. No one seems willing to as
sumo the burden that is intended
to be shifted from the backs OF
the wealthy and war profiteers.
Organized labor is urging Con.
gresham Keller's plan to tax lane
values on the millions of acres OF
land held out of use by large cor
porations and land-owning inter
ests. This plan borders on treason
to the patriots who want excess
profits abolished and their income
tax diluted. They don't want their
land holdings taxed no more than
their war loot.
In addition the railroads want
$500 600 that the government
owes them while they insist that
the millions they owe the govern
ment be overlooked for few years
The railroads want the government
to o. K. bonds for this amount
The shipping board would be thank
full for a couple of hundred mil
lions, while other millions are be-
ing called for by the army, navy
and other defensive processes.
About the only thing that seems
certain is that the "little fellow
will be lucky if he escapes as he
is.
The situation is distracting some
congressman, who have in mind
next years elections. They want to
favor the profiteers and they fear
the wrath of the vast majority who
! demand that the war loot be taxed.
The situation may result in the
following ad appearing in the daily
press:
'Wanted-One competent navi-
gator who can chart a safe poll
teal route on the troublesome tax
alton sea. Wages no object if party
makes good. Apply at national
capitOl"