Evening star., 1921-07-06
LAUNCH TAX DRIVE
ON D. c. MERCHANTS
''FIying Squadron" to Comb
City for WiIIful Evaders
of Revenue Laws.

Government Golfers are expected to be
enriched by thousands Of dollars from
taxes and fines assessed against delfn-
uuent taxpayers in this city as a result
Of a campaign started here today by a
corps Of internal revenue agents, who are
invading jewelry stores. soft drink en-
poriums theater and insurance offices.
Thirteen deputy collectors started out
early today from the local internal reve-
nue. Office. at 1922 Pennsylvania avenue
northwest, and are working under the
direction Of H. H. Fridley. deputy in
ternar revenue collector for this district
Two other deputy collectors were
detached and sent to the headquarters
of this district in Baltimore. where
they are receiving special instructions
from the collector. They will form a
flying squadron to follow up the
work of the force which is out today
checking up the receipts in the Var1-
Gus stores
VIII Look Over Books.
These collectors will go over the
books of every store which sells
taxable article, and ascertain whether
the Droprietor has complied with the
tax laws. Every proprietor, no mat
ter how small a store he maintains.
is required to keep books showing his
sales of taxable articles. and failure
to have such books ready for the COL
lector is punishable by a fine of not
exceeding $1,000.
Mr., Fridley said today that he ex-
pected that much additional money
will be brought into the Treasury as
store proprietors will learn that they
must keep a close watch for the gov
ernment on their tax money, or suffer
the penalties.
The movement is partly educational,
1t was explained. as the collectors will
instruct shopkeepers in the methods
that must be followed to comply with
the law. Many proprietors. it was
pointed out, are selling articles which
they believe are not taxable. The
collectors will give them correct ad-
vice on this.
Want Evaders Punished.
It was made plain at the Treasury
Department and at the office of the
local collector that where the collec-
tors find wilful intent to evade the tax
or refusal to keep books the govern
nent will insist on the maximum pun
ishment by fine of not more than
$4,000. or five years Imprisonment,
or both. together with an added as
sessment of SO per cent Of the amount
of the tax.
1t was estimated today that it will
take approximately two months to
cover all of the stores in the district
where taxable products are sold. The
Treasury Department officials said
that the time to file amended returns
Is before and not after the govern
ment Investigators have visited the
stores. Taxpayers who. prior to in
quiry by revenue officers, file amended
returns accompanied by evidence to
show the delinquency was due to no
wrongful intent will be given every
consideration, it was said.
Drive In Fifteen Cities.
The drive" Is being made stimuli
taneously in fifteen cities Of the coun-
try, including Boston. NV York city,
Pittsburgh, Baltimore. Atlanta, New
Orleans. Cleveland. Chicago, st. Paul.
Minneapolis, st. Louis, Dallas, Denver
and San Francisco.
Before the revenue men complete
their work they will have visited
every important city in the United
States. Reports Of the progress OF
the local drive will be made to Deputy
Collector Fridley, and by him sent to
the commissioner Of internal revenue.
Merchants are required under the
law to submit monthly returns Of the
taxes which the Investigators are now
looking into.