Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-05
Judge Gary.s Suggestions

JUDGE ELBERT Fl. GARY, chairman and
j chief executive officer of the United
states Steel Corporation, is the brains OF big
business in this country To the successful
conduct OF the great corporation which he
heads, he has applied a knowledge Of the
workings OF economic law I'm its relation to
every industrial activity carried on in the
country that has been tremendously potent
in determining sound business policies for
the whole, the successful application ~
which has given the impulse to our gian,
strides in national development Hence.
when Judge Gary talks about the nations
business affairs he is listened to by a world
wide audience. He gets the attention due
master mind that seeks to help toward the
solution OF the big problems of industry.
His address before the American Iron and
Steel Institute at its meeting in New York
deserves and will receive the careful con-
sderation OF the thinking portion OF the
American people. He offered several
weighty suggestions in respect to policies
that should be applied by the government in
its efforts TO restore the industrial life of
tho nation to its normal Of peace-timc
healthfulness that those who are charged
with the conduct of public affairs would do
we'll to heed. Among other things. he said
that Congress should take the tariff out of
politics. play no favorites in Its tendency
for the income tax. and forget the soldier
bonus until the nation is less severely bur
dened financially. AS between parties. he
said. the main difference is that the Repub-
lican party has stood for protective
tariff and the Democratic party for
tariff for revenue Periodically the fight
over this issue Is waged with alternating
success. in consequence OF which the tariff
Is no nearer permanent solution than il
was in the beginning. The settlement for
this controversy should include both
theories, and the whole subject should be
delegated for investigation to a commission
OF well-paid high-minded intelligent COM
petent and nonpartisan appointces, author
ICED TO ascertain and communicate the facts
and figures. Their reports should be fire.
quent. so that. IL deemed necessary, a change
in or amendment to the tariff laws could
be made at any time Congress is in session
In respect to taxation, Judge Gary said
that the fairest method is found in the
sales tax 1t Is the most easily. cheaply
and certainly collected. he continued II
has been found in other countries to be
practicable satisfactory and successful and
the tendency of it Is to make people more
economical and saving. It is Just because
it leaves 10 every one the opportunity to
decide what the amount shall be over and
above actual necessity. While for lack Of
education rs to It's effect the agricultural
element of our population. In particular,
seems to be violently opposed to this form
OF taxation, the reason which impels Judge
Gary's advocacy of the tax seems soundly
economic. The burden OF this tax is so
widely distributed. he contends that It is
hardlE feit. II is not burden on thrift
or industry. 1t does not absorb the coun-
try's investment funds. 1t does not dis
courage n man from pypaudiup &c bueIpose
Il is definite in amount. The seller knows
exactly what it is and has no excuse for
making liberal estimate and adding this
10 the selling price. as Is often done in the
case OF an indeterminate income tax, such
as we now have