The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-30
HANDS OFF POLICY TOWARDS BUSINESS
 BY J. 5. IS URGED
Attempts to Place Business on Record as Favoring Sales Tax and Repeal of
 Luxury Tax Fail
By Associated Press

Atlantic City. N. J., April 29.-Attempts to place American business on record a & | faVoring sales tax and the repeal of the excise or luxury tax failed here today in the closing session of the ninth annual convention of the United States Chamber of Commerce, because of con- fusion in the vote.
 The subject which was matter of warm debate on the convention floor was ordered to be immediately submitted to q referendum of the organizations membership. The sales tax was over whelmingly approved in referendum taken during the convention but owine, to misunderstanding and confusion in the vote, the resolutions committee asked that a new referendum be taken that would be freed from uncertainty and conclusive in it's recommendations"
 While a convention referendum also approved a tariff policy that would give due regard to export trade as we'll as to the protection of manufacturing in the United States it was decided to refer it to the committee on tariff policy which is studying the matter and will soon make it's final report.
 The chamber adopted a decIsra ton of principles on American enterprise which urged the government to adopt a hands off policy toward business except to fair and active field of free competi- tion''
 "A wholesome standard of living Is es- sential to general contentment" said the declaration. That standard depends upon the intelligence. work and thrift of the individual citizen and improves IS the total production of the country in- creases. Hence. restriction of production or obstruction to distribution must nec- essarily undermine that standard, re- sulting in injury to all citizens of every class
 CONDEMN STRIKE AND LOCKOUT We therefore condemn avodabie that needlessly limit output or curtail distribution on the part of workers, own CTS or managers of industry"
 The chamber in It's final session called upon the government to give clear def milton and positive declaration of it's policy concerning the establishment and maintenance of world peace. and of or der and understanding in the commer- cial intercourse of nations. It also went on record as follows:
 Reaffirmed it's opposition to govern ment ownership or operation of the rail- roads on the ground that such action would cripple initiative and retard the railroads rather than assist them.
 Urged Congress to make appropriations for improvement and maintenance of commercially meritorious waterways projects and in such appropriations should follow a policy of continuous de- velopment and maintenance. iss
 Opposed a general cash bonus or it's equivalent in certificates to soldiers sail ors and marines but approved "construc- tive measures as may be directly calcu- lated to enable ex-service men to culti- vate the soil. build homes or obtain vo- cational education"
 Urged establishment of court or courts of tax appeals. to be appointed by the President and to be entirely separate and independent from the treasury de- partment to adjudicate cases in dispute between tax payers and the bureau of internal revenue.
 Asked that the government adopt a policy of less burdensome rates upon capital gains and income received from business.
 ASK JUST SOLUTIONS
 Urged the government to take up the problems of international debts! without
 tOontinued on Page Two)