The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-19
PLATFoRM PROMISES.

The Republican platform of 1920
declared that Sound policy demands
the early accomplishment of that real
reduction of the tax burden which
may be achieved by substituting sim
pie for complex tax laws and proceed
ure; prompt and certain determine
ton of the tax liability for delay and
uncertainty; tax laws which do not,
for tax laws which do, excessively
mulct the consumer or needlessly re-
press enterprise and thrift"
The Democrat platform advocated
tax reform and a searching revision of
the revenue acts to fit peace condi-
tions, $50 that the wealth of the ma
ton may not be withdrawn from pro
ductive enterprise and diverted to
wasteful or productive expendi-
ture."
These expressions have always been
construed to apply to the excess prof
its tax. If there had been any doubt
as to the meaning of the two political
platforms on that subject this doubt
would have been removed by the in
depreciation placed thereon by the two
leading candidates.
1t has beer recognized that a loss
of taxes from this source by repeal or
otherwise must be made up in part, at
least, in other wc~s.
Congress seems unable or unwilling
to cope with the program outlined in
the party platforms. There is discon-
tent rising against that body thruout
the United States. generally because
of inefficiency in carrying out its
promises of better administration, and
especially, because of it's failure tc
relieve the country of it's tax burdens
thru sound and businesslike measures
which could be easily enacted; instead
of hiding behind a program of shifty
inaction and insincere political expe-
dents.
= There appears one ray of light in
the attempt of Senator Smoot to clear
up the fog with a straightforward,
sensible tax measure, which sweeps
the air clean of old methods, ana
stands for one form of the fairest,
squarest, easiest tax ever advocated
namely, the sales tax And behind
Senator Smoot stands a great major
ity of the thinking people of the coun-
try-the people who, if the politicians
only knew it, control elections when
great questions aredn the balance.
The following hopeful view of the
outlook is taken by Henry Clews:
From the national standpoint the
uncertainty in congress with reference
to pending economic legislation is the
most unsatisfa Glory element in the
market position. The tax bill is going
thru a period of extensive modifica-
ton, and it is too soon as vet to say
whether its final form has been given
to it. 1t appears at present that the
repeal of the excess profits tax, eff
fective January 1, 1922, will be re-
tanned and that the maximum surtax
rate for individual incomes will be
placed at so per cent. Agricultural
interests have apparently succeeded in
forcing the abandonment of the trans
pOrtation tax as well as some of the
so-called nuisance taxes" Altho
Senator Smoot is still hopeful of the
adoption of the sales tax as a substi
tute for some of the other taxes pro-
vided for in the bill this must be
considered a matter still to be deter
mined by negotiation. The sales tax
plan has, however, gained in strength
within the past two weeks and now
has a substantial number of members
supporting it, as we'll as large gem
eral support among the business COM
munity. 1t is not impossible that the
measure may be adopted in some form
in conference committee as COM
promise.