The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-05-02
To Reduce the Tax
Burden is Desire
Of Republicans

WASHlNGlON, IL. C.-Inat the
Republican party made no campaign
| pledge of early reduction of taxes is
asserted by the Republican publicity
association in statement issued
thru the president of that organiza-
ton, Hon. Jonathan Bourne, Jr. The
statement says:
"a prominent Democratic organ
remarks with an attempt at facet
iousness that the Republican national
| administration will talk about re-
ducing taxes, but will accomplish
nothing soon in that direction. That
paper also intimates that the Repub-
licans promised reduction of taxes.
As matter of fact, neither party
pledged tax reductions. In the Re-
publican platform adopted at Chicago
the section relating to taxation be-
gan as follows:
The burden of taxation imposed
upon the American people is stag
gering: but in presenting a true
statement Of the situation we must
face the fact that that while the
character Of the taxes can and should
be changed, an early reduction of the
amount Of revenue to be raised is not
to be expected. The next Republi-
can administration will inherit from
it's Democratic predecessor floating
Indebtedness of over three billion
dollars, the prompt liquidation of
which is demanded by sound financial
considerations.
"The platform also set forth that
in addition to the floating indebted
ness of three billions, there is an
early maturing bond Indebtedness of
five billions. AS everybody knows,
the annual interest burden at the
present time is practically equal to
the entire government expenditures
for all purposes prior to the war.
The Republican party dealt frankly
and honestly with the voters of the
country by expressly asserting that
there is no hope of early reduction of
taxes. The Democratic platform was
not quite so frank, for altho not
promising reduction, the Democrats
did not admit the impossibility of re-
duction. They hoped to gain few
votes by leaving the inference that
they might reduce the tax burden
"As to the nature of the changes
in taxation, the two parties were in
accord. The Republicans promised
tax laws which do not for tax laws
which do, excessively mulct the con-
sumer or needlessly repress enter
prise and thrift This was aimed at |
the excess profits tax which has dis
cOuraged enterprise and is charged |
with increasing prices to the extent |
of 23 per cent. The Democratic |
platform pledged revision of the |
tax laws to fit peace conditions so
that the wealth of the nation may
not be withdrawn from productive
enterprise and diverted to wasteful |
or non-productive expenditure This
was apparently pledge to repeal |
the excess profits tax for that Is the
tax which has been charged with
money from productive
enterprise.
"As indicated by President Hard
ing in his address to congress, it is
the desire of Republicans to reduce
The tax burden if possible, and their
efforts will be bent in that direction,
but it should be distinctly understood
that there was no campaign or pre-
election promise that such a result
would be attained.
'Any atte1nrt of the Democrats ri
his stage of Developments to crentr
he impression that Republicans are
guilty of breaking promises if they
,ail to reduce tax burdens, is dis
The Republicans openly de-
,lared in their platform that they
had no hope of reducing the amount
If the burden in the near future.
They did promise to substitute a bet
,er form Of tax--one that would not
repress enterprise or needlessly
mulct the consumer. This pledge
hey will keep"
No News to- Him.-A regimental
)and was about to be organized at
one of the wartime cantonments,
and after the first rehearsal, the Of
icer in charge was signing up the
"Your name?" he asked the from
oonist.
Sam Jones'" returned the embryo
,rombonist.
"Your station?"
Camp Devens,"
Your rank?"
II know it," sighed Sam.-The
American Legion Weekly. ;