The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-03
now SHALL WE BE TAXED?

HOW SHALL WE BE TAXED?
Secretary OF the Treasury Mellon,
being millionaire. apparently takes
the millionaire's view of the tax prob
lem. He proposes that the transpor-
tation taxes be cut in half next year
and eliminated in the following year
The people are not greatly interested
in the taxes to be levied after they are
bankrupt or dead. They want relief
now. Removal of the transportation
taxes in 1923 will not help Secretary
MELONS party at the polls in 1922.
Another feature of the secretary's
tax plan is to levy an assessment of
$40 on every automobile in the coun-
try, regardless of size or value. Mo-
tor car owners already are doing more
than their share in supporting the
various branches of government. mu-
nicipai, state and national, but alleged
tax experts still seem to regard them
as easy picking.
1t has come to pass that whenever
it seems desirable for the city, county,
state or nation to raise additional rev.
epue-and that is about all the time
somebody suggests jumping onto
the automobile. Why always pick on
the motor car? Why not alight on
the monographs, the pianos, wagons.
buggies and horses? The theory
seems to be that the automobile Is a
| luxury and should pay. Is 1t any more
of a luxury than the other articles
named above?
Secretary Mellon also proposes a tax
would encourage paying bills in cash,
which would encourage keeping mon
ey at hand, which would invite more
robberies. The man who is known to
pay by check is not nearly so often
victimized as the old sugar bowl or
sock financier.
Congress is floundering around an
the hope of discovering a popular tax
instead OF striving to provide relief
from the evident injustices Of present
methods. It should correct the in
equalities which are working to the
detriment of the whole community
altho the direct burden seems to fall
on comparatively few. Taxation, to
provide SO huge sums as the govern
ment now calls for. can never be pop
ular, But 1t can be fair.
There appears to be a Studied eff
fort to avoid the enactment of the
most equitable tax that could be de-
vised, that il the sales tax. The in
come tax probably has come to stay.
As matter of fact all taxes are taxes
on income for they are paid out of in
come. How else can the money with
which to pay be obtained? Taxes are
derived from income whether they be
levied as sales taxes, stamp taxes
duties on imports or taxes on tobacco
If therefore we are to continue the
income tax and reject the sales ia K
why not let everybody pay in proper
ton to what he receives. Let US sup
pose that 100000 persons engaged
in gainful occupations in this country
shall bear the burden together. Lead
ers in enterprise would not be forced
to sequester their resources in tax
exempt securities IL the tens of MIL
lions OF persons who now pay nothing
were called upon for q very small
share.
Let US say for example that there
are 100000 individuals with in
comes of $500 annually who paid a
tax of one per cent collected weekly
in the form of stamps; 100000
more with incomes of $1,000 paying
the same rate and collected in the
same manner as they received their
weekly wages. The high rates and
sur-taxes could come down. capital
would come from its hiding places.
and the 10000, 900 persons who pay
the IS and SO annually and in week
ly stamp payments would be more
than compensated by the improve
uent in their personal status result
ing from the ensuing general pros
perity.
I If congress follow the lead OF Sec
rotary Mellon almost certainly it will
hear from the voters at the next cleo
ton.