Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-07

eot0 ana Cnelf 0OsCalIe0 tdx ldWgcEo
and experts in the case Of the income
Mr.. Harding Is trying to find a com.
promise, to get rid Of the ineficient, to
satisfy the politicians and at the same
time not destroy the civil service reform
sytsem nor yield utterly to spoils. 1t
Is difficult course to steer.
1t has brought about a conflict be-
tween Secretary Mellon. who wishes to
run his own department free from
political interference, and Assistant
Secretary Dover will have to go.
Income Tax Work stopped
'"The row has pretty nearly stopped
all work in the income tax section Of
the Treasury. a high ofDcial said yes
terday. "Since the trouble began not
fifty cents worth Of work has been
done. Everybody is looking for. a job
somewhere else or trying to line up
friends and influence to keep his present
job" The service IL demoralixed. This
is one reason why Mr.. Mellon has had
his way and has sent to his employees
circular letter saying that no reor-
ganization is contemplated.
There are possibilities Of .. great
taxes. 1t is not certain that 1t will
be avoided by keeping the present EN-.
ployes.. They proceed entirely in the
dark, in secret. They change assess
ments. They change the rates under
vnnsl which the they are made 1t seems all
Through the bankruptcy Of the Lin.
coin Motor Company 1t came out that
this company had been charged with
a "a, 100000 tax which broke it,. A
little later the tax was reduced 70
happens daily all in private. 1t IS
an immense power to put in the hands
Of $4,000 men, whether political ap-
pointees or civil service rate appointees.
Naturally there are great many forces
which would like to control the men
who sny whether a corporation should
pay $4,000, 900 toxcs or only $780,
600 taxes.
How Trick Was Turned
Some notion Of the background Of all
this may be got from couple OF stories
4 corporation president who had assets
that he was overtaxed tells this, 1--WE
were advised to get so and 80 to repre-
sent US. had talk with him.
thought he was not much of a lawyer
and had misgivings, but / went over
with him he did not have to be law
yer. 1t turned out all he did was tall
about what he was going to DO Tor ina
particular branch of the service. men
tioning prominent names. After
| friendly chat we went out with oul
income tax reduced
A man who was at the Marion head
quarters during the campaign. an Ohic
lawyer and politician, moved on the
4th of March last year to Washington
and established himself as one Of the
"close .ups." He did a rushing bust
ness, so great a business that a. few
weeks ago he was requested to leave
Washington by powerful friends OF the
Administration and did so.
A little before he left here this man
met on the street another Marion at.
tache who has not established himself ir
Washington.
Their Stock in Trade
"Hello, Bill" said the close up
these are not the true first names
making any money!
"No. Tom, how about you. are yol
making any," asked the other.
mot lately" replied the close up
I have not been able to sec Blank It
powerful member Of the Cahinet i,
Ave weeks
Seeing and being seen Is the stoc
in trade of TIE close ups. 70 be caugh
by the movies emerging from the Ex
ecutive Mansion Is worth thousands. I
be seen dining at q hotel with an i'm
portant Senator means clients.
All the close-ups are interested in tn
income tax section. OF have polticG
appointecs in it, even il these arpointec
are honest and efficient, means thou
sands TO them. The people who bu
pull do not require proof that 1t cx