Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-01-01
COST Of BONUS
S2,300.000.O OO
Secretary Houston Estimates
Cost Of Aid Measure.
GIVES FIGURES ON 4 PLANS
Presents Report 70 Senate Committee
Declaring That Legislation Would
Add 70 Tax Rurden-5ocy Al
iourns Without Action.

Washington. Dec. 2T.-Passage OF
the soldiers bonus bill would cost the
government approximately $2,30ooOO.-
COO secretary Houston estimated be
fore the senate finance committee con-
sidering the soldiers aid measure.
The treasury secretary declared en-
actment OF the bin meant an added
burden In the way Of taxes, reiterat
ing g statement made before the COM
mirtee last week that the treasury
ought not 10 be called upon to assume
any additional burdens.
While Mr.. Houston said 1t was i'm
possible 10 compute accurately the ex-
ACT cost Of each Of the four optional
aid plans, he believed the estimate sub
mirted was substantially correct. Land
settlement provisions Of the bill con-
tain so many uncertainties, he added,
that the cost entaled by them could
only be guessed at.
Estimates Cost Of -Four Plans.
Assuming that all OF the men would
select one OF the four optional plans,
Mr.. Houston estimated the cost OF
each Of the plans as follows:
Adjusted service pay. S1,342,00o,000
Insurance provisions, S4.534 900, coo.
Vocational training aid, s1.SS0. COO,
600.
Farm and home development, ST.
SS0OO0.0O0.
As the plans we're optional. the sec
rotary said the choice Of the men
would not be confined TO any one OF
them. and allowing for the various Sc
lections he arrived ar the total esti-
mated cost Of S2,3O0.000.0O0.
The treasury secretary professed TO
be against q WALL as TO methods OF
obtaining revenue to meet the outlay
that would be required If the bin were
enacted. He called the committees
attention 10 the suggestions for new
taxes contained in his annual report,
but explained that these were men
toned only for the information of con-
gress and without any sort of recon-
mendations.
He did not attempt to discuss the
various tax suggestions. asking the
committee to hear DR.. 7. s. Adams,
treasury economist and tax expert,
who gave a comprehensive resume Of
the tax situation, referring frequently
TO Secretary Houston's discussion Of
the question in his annual report. He
declared the treasury was daily see
ing new evidence of a further drying
up Of revenue sources, adding that the
task Of computing tax receipts was
to that extent becoming more diff
cult.
In addition 10 the difficulties thus
confronting the treasury, Doctor
Adams declared the internal revenue
bureau faced. another problem in keep
Ing experts on the Job. He said
the men who were capable didn't stay
long.
Senator Simoot (Rep.) of Utah said /:
THE real danger is that these men
get training in the revenue bureau
then go out and help big firms evade
tax payments"
Experts Don't Stay Long"
In addition 10 the difficulties thus
confronting the treasury. Doctor Ad-
ans declared the internal revenue bu-
reau faced another problem In keep
Ing experts on the Job. He said the
men who were capable didn't stay
long.
Senator SmoO4. (RenN oY Utah sold
''The real danger is that these men
get training in the revenue bureau
then go out and help big firms evade
tax payments"
Doctor Adams said that might he
true TO some extent. but that he knew
"of one man who left the bureau a
year ago whose resignation cost the
government millions Of dollars In IN
collected taxes. for he was an execu-
tive with an expert knowledge Of the
work
The witness said this was lyrical
OF the Tabor turnover" and that II
directly affected the tax collections
and would continue to have a more
direct effect on such collections unless
tax laws were simplifed.
SEM ror Smoot said all those diff
entities could be avoided if q revenue
law which 'the average man can IN
derStand" we're passed by congress.
The committee adjourned without
setting a date for further hearings.