The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-10-07
THE GAME OF
POOLING PEOPLE

Congress convenes as we write
this letter and it is in rather a
precarious condition 1t is reported
in Washington that the President
IS going to urge in person that
Congress expedite action and pass
a Revenue Bill in a hurry. This
Bill, as reported out by the Senate
Finance Committee is designed to
raise about three billion two hun
dred million dollars this year, while
Congress knows that if the Federal
Government pays its obligations
which fall due during the present
fiscal year, it must raise at least
seven billion dollars, exclusive of
any allowance for Soldiers bonus.
or any financial recognition of the
men who won the war.
The Senate Finance Committee
Revenue Bill is positive proof that
the profiteers, monopolists, million
aires, millionaires and billion
aires control at least the Senate Fin
ance Committee. Tax rates on high
incomes have been reduced from a
maximum of 65 to a maximum of
80. Apparently the protest against
the complete repeal of the Excess
Profits Tax has had an effect, and it
will not be made effective until
January list, 1922. There has not
been any increase, however, in the
rates upon inheritances or estates.
The action of the Senate Finance
Committee makes it clear that the
administration is definitely and Of
ficially committed to the policy of
refunding our National Debt for a
long period of years, and thereby
making the American people, that
is, the producers of wealth, pay
most of the cost Of the war and most
of the cost of current Government,
and pay in interest to the relatively
few wealthy people who hold most
of the Liberty and Victory Bonds,
at least Fifteen billion dollars, and
possibly Twenty-Five billion dollars
in interest.
Representatives of the Farmers
National Council, the National Board
of Farm Organization, the National
Milk Producers Federation, the
Peoples Reconstruction League, Rail-
way Brotherhoods and other Labor
organizations tried to see Senator
Penrose while the Revenue Bill was
being considered by the Senate Fin
ance Committee, to request public
hearing, but Senator Penrose refused
even this courtesy! The represen-
tatives of most of these organiza
tions and many others are sending
letter to every Member of Congress
urging the principles which should
be incorporated in the Revenue Bill.
These include:
The retention of the Excess Pro-
fits Tax with perhaps some Admin
istration changes until the full mon
ey cost of the war has been paid,
retaining the highest rates of tax
now imposed upon personal incomes
until the full money cost of the wal
has been paid, repeal of Consump-
ton Taxes such as those on trans
portation, on admissions, and pur-
chases of clothing and ordinary arti
cles of consumption, and rapidly
progressive tax upon large estates
or inheritances and upon transfers
of property among the living. The
letter suggests that the Estate and
Transfer Tax should yield at least
two to two and half billion dollars
a year, and it opposes any sales
tax of any nature whatever.
1t remains to be seen whether
the Congress of the United States
will flout the purpose and wishes
of the organized producers of wealth
on farms and in factories, mines,
trade and transportation, but it is
as very doubtful whether
they dare do this, and whether they
will go along with the Administra-
ton.