The Washington herald., 1921-06-19
HARPER SOUNDS
OPTIMISTIC NOTE
AT VIRGINIA MEET
District Banker Urges
Hope and Confidence to
Combat Future.
URGES TAX CHANGE
Favors Graduated Sales Law
To Supplant the Excessive
Profits Measure.
URGES TAX CHANGE

Col. ROBERT -
the District National Bank and past
president of the local bankers as
ISOLATION, in an address before the
Virginia Bankers Association last
night urged the casting aside or
smoke colored glasses of content
ment. and viewing the future through
the clear glass Of hope and conn
dence. Col Harper commended there
is plenty of food for congratulation
for the optimist in spite of the fact
that these are troublesome times.
with the aftermath of a great
war still upon u.s." declared Harper
leaving in its wake high prices
high taxes, high wages, etc.-the
natural outgrowth Of the worlds up
heaval-we must lock back into past
history and compare il with future
opportunities for consolation, il We
expect success to crown our efforts
In meeting present-day problems
Taxes must and will be adjusted
on lines that have been or will be
demanded by the people, yet on
which of the lines demanded, our
legislators may choose to relieve the
situation no living man can guess
with any degree of accuracy. Many
of US have our ideas on this sub
ject. and all must admit that the
wartime burden of government sup
port should, and, by right must, be
shifted for more general and equit-
able distribution among the people.
1T Is neither fair nor just that
this generation which offered and
gave the lives of it's sons for free
dom and world democracy. should
also pay the entire debt. The is
suing of longtime bonds in lieu of
those now in circulation. to be paid
by future generations, would be =
small offset in exchange for the
sacrifice OF human life.
Urges New Tax
TT is to be hoped that Congress
may be able to conceive and make
workable some plan or form of grad
uated sales tax in place of the in
excusable Except in time of war)
excess profit law now in force An
excess-profit tax Is a direct penalty
upon thrift and intelligence, with a
tendency to throttle the ambitions
of American manhood for achieve
ments in the world competition now
facing US.
that a graduated sales tax has its
objections: all tax legislation which
compels the people to pay a proper
tion of the expense of running the
government, meets with objections.
The basic principle on which the tax
burden should be distributed, as ad-
mitted by experts. is the ability to
pay-and nothing in my judgment so
well measures tax-paying ability
and justice as income and consump-
ton
sales Tax Has Good Features.
IF we cannot devise something
better than a sales tax. we should
admit that there are many argu-
ments in its favor. IL there are some
objectionable features. 1t would
certainly fall upon all classes in fair
proportion to consumption. There
have been many forms of sales or
turnover taxes suggested. some bet
ter than others, none perfect. but
many with merit. 1t certainly ap-
pears to come near to meeting the
stipulated promises of our Constitu-
ton regarding taxation. When this
is accomplished, we are giving to
the people their constitutional rights
on at least this one phase of gov
eminent. il on no other.
Taxation, however. Is not the
only trouble we are encountering
TODAY that creates a doubt in the
; minds of some as to the future. 1t
is true that we are living in a rapid
business age. The ultimate success
of this country depends upon the
prudent man of thrift and not upon
the reckless spender.
THE shaping of conditions which
will create optimism rests with the
man Of wisdom and determination,
the constructive leader. the broad
gagged man endowed with the in
itiativs and genius to do things
worth while upon that high standard
of permanency which knows no fear
nor falterinE"