Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-12
LABOR FEDERATION
AGAINST SWAPPING
LUXURY FOR SALES TAX

Cincinnati. May 1.-THE American
Federation of Labor will oppose any
attempt to repeal the present sys-
tenn of excise or luxury" tax and
substitute a sales tax.
This policy was decided upon by
the executive council of the fedora
ton in session here today. While
no official announcement was made,
the council, it is understood, regards
any effort to substitute sales tax
for the excise tax as an attempt to
shift the burden of taxation from
capital to labor.
Labor officials explained that or
ganized labor believes that tn, pres
ent system of taxation is more equit-
able than that proposed calling for
repeal of the excise taxes and sub
stitution of sales tax.
They claim that the sales tax,
would not only place the burden of
taxation upon the workers. but
would add materially to the cost of
living.
With the excise or luxury tax re-
pcaled, labor officials said. the
manufacture. merchant and other
big interests of the country would be
given a renewed opportunity to pro-
fiteer.
The stand of the executive coun-
ell will be incorporated in the coun-
ellis report to the annual convention
of the federation to be held in Den
yer i'll June.
The council today also decided to
carry on the fight to obtain the re-
peal of the Kansas court OF indus
trial relations law. The council has
condemned the statute as an act es-
tablishing "involuntary servitude for
the workers of Kansas" and pro
testation for the interests OF the
owners of public utilities and all IN
dustries at the expense of the en-
ployeS."
The Kansas court is also declared
to be a relic of legislation in the
10Th century that establishes auto
cracy in industry by law" Besides
being a violation of the 18th amend
mcnt of the constitution. the court
| is also condemned as unjust. ty-
raDnical and unAmeriCan" instltu-
ton.
The council also viii urge that thu
federation take steps to have anti
strike and labor legislation re-
pealed and renew it's drive to pre-
vent the passage of further anti
labor legislation in the various
states. Renewed efforts also will be
authorized to prevent Congress from
enactment of further anti-labor
, legislation.
A delegation from the international
Brotherhood Welfare Association,
headed by James Eads How of st.
Louis, appeared before the council to-
day and asked that it take steps to
urge upon Congress the necessity of
taking care of the unemployed He
said he was especially interested in
the welfare of the hoboes. Mr.. How,
! estimated that there We're between
900, goo and 100000 unemployed in
the United States, said he told the
council that this was the "opportune
Tune 10 pTlnS W llie dtttHtioi VI tHc
new administration at Washington a
demand for constructive program
to care for the unemployed.
Thousands of workers are suffer
in said Mr.. How. for the lack of
employment and l feel it would be we'll
for the organized labor movement to
AID them. There would be less wage
! cutting if there were fewer unem-
ployed
Mr.. How said that he suggested that
it might be we'll to have a scheme of
unemployed insurance in this country
many and England He said that in
the west there is opportunity for work
| if the government would authorize
the necessary appropriations for irri-
cation projects and if state and fed
eral funds were supplied for highway
building.
His organization, Mr.. How claimed,
has a paid-up membership of $4,000,
but has organized several million I'M
employed into local groups throughout
! the country.
| President Samuel Gompers of the
Federation said that the council had
heard Mr.. How but had not promised
to consider his proposals and sugges-
tons. Other labor officials said thar
the federation was already dealing
with the unemployed problem and
would follow it's own program"