The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-04-20
TIRE YEAR TRIAL
OF THE SALES TAX "
TO BE RECOMMENDED
Tax Conference Agree On Plan for
Temporary Legislation In
the Present Tmerg.
ency.


for three-year-period, on basis Of
a tax OF one per cent, on sales or turn
over on all goods, wares and COM
modities agreed upon at an important |
tax conference just concluded In this |
city, according to an announcement |
made by Hazen j. Burton, of Mime
apolis, president OF the Tax League of
America, which has united many bust !
ness organizations in support of the
gross sales tax legislation to come be-
fore Congress at the special session.
ut was the feeling Of all those who
attended the conference" said Vice
President Henry G. Opdycke, that in
the present financial emergency, due
to the depressed business conditions,
we should pay heed first of al Ito the
immediate demands of the treasury.
This situation calls for early relief.
Temporary measures Of some kind are
therefore necessary, and Will the adj
vocates of the sales tax feel that ulti-
mate relief can best be obtained only
through the enactment of permanent
Legislation, still 1.-The question of a per-
manent tax policy should not, just at
this time, stand in the way Of any
temporary financial need.
among business men generally, as
well as among our national legisla-
tors. 1t Is now conceded that some
thing must be done at once toward the
repeal of the excess profits tax, and
also toward a reduction in the higher
brackets Of the income tax, so that the
public may be protected from the high
prices that go with these excess profit
taxes, and also SO that capital will no
longer seek the umbrella Of tax ex-
empt securities, when 1t Is needed In
active industry. To provide the funds
now made. necessary, through the fail
ure of the present tax system, is clear
ly the first duty Of Congress, and with
a view to aiding in this legislation The
Tax League of America called the con-
ference Just held by the leading advo-
Gates Of the slase tax in the country.
at was the opinion fthe confer
ence that in view of the present un-
settled conditions Of business, and
also on account Of the problems of
budget yet unsolved by the govern
,ment and which may not be agreed
upon for a period of years, that the
conference could be go on record as
fayoring first, the repeal Of the excess
profits tax, an dthe reduction Of the
surtaXes in the higher brackets; Sec
ond, temporary legislation to cover the
present emergency need of funds; and
third the enactment Of sales tax for
a period of three years similar to the
sales ia already in successful opera
ton in the Philippine Islands, in
France, and to some etent, in Canada.
Such progrom will, Of course,
provide funds necessary for immedi-
ate relief, without committing Con-
gress to any permanent financial pol
icy, and at the some time will afford
plenty of opportunity for first hand
study of this much needed reform in
our revenue laws. The executive COM
mittee of the Tax League has accord
ingly instructed its counsel to COM
plete its bill along the lines already
mentioned for immediate introduction
before Congress"
Reports of activity in many cities,
according to Judge Lebbeus r. Will
fey who presided, showed rapidly
crystalzing sentiment in favor Of the
enactment of a sales tax plan based
upon the results already obtained I'M
der the several years of sales tax PIX
eerience in the Philippine Islands.
Among those associated with The
Tax League of America IN the propos-
ed legislation are George M Reynolds,
Chairman of the Board, Continental