The Washington times., 1921-09-07
passions Of war and back to, the
normal human nature of peace.
Must Equalize Taxes.

passions of war and back to, The
normal human nature of peace.
Must Equalize Taxes.
Mr.. Hays stressed the need OF tax
reformation. and thrift. Taxation
adjustment, he said. was one Gf the
greatest problems confronting the
Administration. He said:
The country has been confronted,
as far as the present year is con-
cerned, with an almost insurmouIt.
able difficulty. War debts must be
paid, of course, and shall be paid.
From the wealth Of the country and
the earnings of the people must
come the payments. These pay
rf1ents must come, however, In away
to work no undue, hardship IN the
paying, and most certainly in \ way
that shall not destroy the initiative
and earning power itself Of the labor
or the wealth which must make the
payments. ... 49,. &c.,. ...
There must and. of course. will be
a refunding of the entire war debt on
a proper basis. and II must be spread
over a great number of years. There
Is no reason why the present genera.
ton should bear the whole burden OF
war fought for all posterity and
that must not be. Taxes which kill
initiative must and will be repealed
and steps are being taken as rapidly
as possible to that end. 1t 10 the
idea Of those carrying the largest
responsibility that for the immedi-
ate present the method OF raising rev.
enue can probably not be fundamental
II changed. but that there shall be a re-
adjustment of that method providing
new and lower rates, with the re.
peal of abortive features. such as the
excess profits tax. After the refund.
ing, which must come in due season,
1t will no doubt be possible to devise
a method for the ultimate collection
that will stimulate rather than in
any way retard business and spread
the burden in right proportions.
IAN element in this final readjust-
ment, of course, too, is the adjustment
and evidencing of the amounts due
this country from other countries. and
definite steps are being taken to that
end, as you know. 1t is obviously es-
seminal that that be concluded before
the program OF the ultimate taxation
can be consummated.
Tax Reforms Urged.
PERSONALLY, am willing to say
most emphatically that this country
cannot 20 on, and must not attempt
to 60 on, indefinitely during peace
time with either the form or the de-
gree of taxation which was originally
devised to meet the emergency of war.
Our colossal income taxes were adopt
ed with an eye single to one thing,
raising of the money in the
largest quantity and with the greatest
speed. We took the device Of going
straight where the money was and
taking II ruthlessly. The war tax law
was. passed in the spirit Of the draft
act.
. "In the, emergency of war this was
proper enough but to keep up ,tbis
form of taxation in the same de:
gree during peace time would, OF
course. be intolerant. I believe we
should change our system Of taxa.
ton SO as no longer to put such o
handicap on saving as the present
system does. Between, the man who
consumes his days work rs fast as
he creates II. and. on the other hand,
the man who pfactices self denial and
saves part Of his days work and
puts 1t in savings banks, in life in
surance policies or in other forms OF
Observation-Disclosures those two men
say 10 Is the business of wise gov
ernment to tax the former rather
than the latter" ys,,.,..,....,s b..
Cites German Peace.
Regarding the approaching dis
armament conference at Wpshing.
ton, Mr.. Hays said: >--
"It Is my opinion that the meeting
possesses more potentiality for good
for mankind than any single event
in the last 1921 years. And In the
confidence of deep conviction | pre-
dict that the forces working for its
successful contamination. guided by
this same great mind and synpa.
thetic heart working the miracles for
good In this country. and inspired by
his spirit, will bring from the con.
ference result which will be rec.
ognized as the most important meet.
ing of mems minds in all history
and the most fruitful upward step
taken by the world since the day
Christ first preached. Peace on earth.
good will toward men," &
The Postmaster General declared
a. IL. "a