Evening journal., 1921-10-15
LOWER TAXATION
ISLEAGUE aim
Brandywine Hundred Resi-
dents Hope for State
Wide Movement
SAY WAR HAS
BROUGHT BURDEN

League, the object OF which is to
project its members against unrea-
sonable and excessive taxation.
The league invites the co-opera-
tion OF an property owners OF this
State. by the organization OF similar
associations in each and every dis
trict. The system OF district or
ganization Is suggested, as the school
district is the smallest political divi-
sion. and the movement. to be most
effective. should be organized in
small units. where the contact OF it's
members can be frequent and inti-
mate and its purposes we'll under
stood. in order 10 advance the senti-
ment for the enactment Of remedial
laws in the pronfptest manner.
Officers Of the league are: W. J.
strawbridge,/ president; GeorgeI
Lodge, treasurer; f. r. Vernon, sec
retsry.
At the meeting OF tho league on
last Wednesday. John G. Gray. chair
man; George Lodge, II. p. Slater. s.
p. Brewer and Samuel Irwin we're
appointed a committee to prepare
statement OF the objects and pur-
has issued the following statement:
The exigency Of war always neces-
states and stimulates appropriations
Of large sums Of money and a heavy
increase in taxation to meet the
extraordinary appropriations. This
Is national taxation. and It would
seem the part OF prudence and JUS
rce to the taxpayer, in such times,
that State. county and municipal
taxation should be curbed and re-
duced to the most reasonable and
conservative basis OF economy. I'm
order not to overburden and exhaust
me taxpayer Of both operating cap
ital and credit. But history shows.
that in such times, a recklessness
IN making appropriations and the
creation OF many new salaried
oihcers TO administer and dispense
he funds. operates like an infection
IN every department OF municipal.
county and State governments. until.
from an economic standpoint the
aftermath OF war is worse than the
var
This is our deplorable situation
.oday
The combined results OF unusual
and heavy taxes by national and
local governments. have produced A
paralysis OF business and a condi-
lion OF unemployment that is too
serious to permit Of delay in seeking
a remedy.
High taxes advanced rents, fore
ed up to the overhead Of the store
the factory. the mine, the farm and
he railroad, and iaborers. employees
and officials in general demanded
more wages and salaries TO meet
The increased cost Of living, and Il
was accorded as a matter OF ne.
,essity.
"All these increased taxes, rents
tolls. wages and charges are neces
sarily added in on the price OF ever,
commodity produced. until today
the price tag IS so high and none,
so scarce. that few buy anything
they can do without: factories. n
most cases. are at a standstill mil
lions Of laborers are idle. there q
little commerce. the farmer is con
fronted with a falling and negligible
market for his grain and produce
the taxpayer is in distress TO finl
funds to meet the many tax gath
erers. many are Offering their home
for sale to avoid the tax, and gen
orally the cry is going Up, 'HoV
shall we find jobs for the jobless2
Omcials, the press and the publ
are proclaiming the necessity Of ta
reduction.
..rrr -. -. ..-o,,o o,,reci,-o.
capable and sclf-governing people.
I'VE must begin 10 undo the trou
BILE at its source.
I'VE must start the return TO MOI
malcy by reducing every possibl
form of taxation. so that tho pric
tag may lower and the general COS
of living may be reduced with Il
that commodities may cheaper
the point where people will begin
buy, so that the factory and III
farm may find a demand for the
products, that labor may find en-
pioyment in producing. This ia tn
way to find jobs for the iobless; tn
is the way TO start up by certai
b progressive degrees. the factory an
IT the farm and make business for ia
borer. builder, merchant, banke
and transporter.
"An official government report pu
the loss to unemployed labor at 81
and a quarter billions Of dollars p'
year and a leading New York dai
paper has thoughtfully suggeste
that this is not the whole story, thi
the tools those idle men would otnc
wise work with. the materials ths
would use, the power and light th'
would consume. must all go into u
account and make the total b
about eight billions dollars, or twi'
the amount we are trying to raj
annually by taxation to liquidate q
war debt and operate the Cover
ment. These willing but idle m'
are a part Of our national hous
keeping. We cannot afford from Z
economic standpoint. and aside fro
our sympathies for them and the
families. to have them idle.
There is no way to correct the
startling conditions except by son
radical change. There is not enoui
free money in the country or In Il
world to meet such conditions.
More taxes won't solve the pro
lem. they will only make 1t wors
Put taxes higher and the whole /
dustrial and business structure W
go to smash.
"The two great troubles with Z
country today are excessive tax
and high prices.
"Mr. Norris. the head OF the Fe
oral Roeorvo Rank has qfafpd N