Evening journal., 1922-06-23
REMoVE THIs BUKpEN

IMPRESSIVE taxation OF the nations press is in it
W self indirect form OF censorship and a stel
backward toward the dark The publishers o
newspapers and magazines have appealed to Congress
fair play in order that the needs OF the reading pub
lie may be met bill known CII. r. 1860 intro
duced by Congressman NJ. Clyde Kelly of Pennsylvania
IS now pending the Offices and Post Roads Com
mttee of the House Representatives. It provides
reduction of the levied in the present
high postal The press OF the country protests
against the severity OF the imposition which tends to
jeopardize its freedom of expression.
Public integrity. political and social freedom depend
upon the intelligence and character OF citizens. The
majority Of American citizens dependent upon the
press for intellectual inspiration An enlightened press
will illteracy isolation and superstition give way
to progress and prosperity and thus strengthen the
social fibre OF people. To fulfill this mis-
sion necessary that the channels Of communication,
the transportation OF the mals-be kept open at
reasonable for the newspapers and magazines.
Continuation Of time taxes on the press Of the
country is a matter which every citizen. At
the time the was imposed 1t was generally con-
ceded that increases the postal secondcass
matter wholly without justification in economics
or political equity. The increased rates were imposed
simply as war emergency and such tax
defended three years after the cessation of
hostes. The mode OF assessment clearly violates all
equities Of contribution The second-class
mail subject rates made in the form of
four successive annual increases that constitute in
crease 100 per cent for the initial to 300
cent. the last and this tax has in no way
been OF the taxes levied defray the
expenses, expernoe proved certain mpostons to be
unduly burdensome unworkable that they most
aptly referred to as nuisance taxes" repeal
earliest possible moment urgently demanded.
The contention that It is tax that be shifted to
advertiser obviously unsound It be passed
the advertiser for the that it is levied
on only part Of the advertising in newspapers and
periodicals the further that the adver
tisng rate according the Of de-
livering publication subscribers but according to
the number Of subscribers their potential buying
power. This advertising rate is governed by COM
petition with for advertising in non-mailed and
un-axed newspapers and periodicals. and the
other untaxed of advertising such bilboards
and posters well the cost Of alternative methods
Of promoting and publicity by additional sales
agents discounts trace. prizes. window displays
sampng etc The conclusion that this in the form
an excess charge the advertising portion of
papers and periodicals distributed through the mails
be passed to the advertiser whose announce
thus carried is untenable. Based value
ability pay, reflected in revenue the tax would
have to be gagged weight distance but on
high low advertising rate, and change constantly
with changes. in those rates.
may accepted established by the practice Of
the post Office in other countries well in the United
efficient postal service adequate the needs
of the government in its operations and available
all who may to share its benefits is the first
consideration 1t follows that. subject the
dition that sufficient to carry requisite. /
postal secondary object be kept in view
the greatest being usually obtained through
the extensive patronage producing the largest
sible volume of business and that It aggregate
that rather than revenue from any par /
tcuar item of service from service rendered par
ticular class OF patrons.
The fact must not be overlooked that the
cruing the post office its operations need not
be direct paid in postage money be measur-
able and that the indirect specially note
worthy in connection with the distribution
class mall matter
There is inter-relation of postal traffic whereby
one class of business leads produces" additional
business. Second-cass matter carried low rate be-
ing publications issued going to egu
lar readers Of newspapers periodicals. produces
large quantities of letter mail paying highest rate
postage.
The report Of the Penrose- overstreet Commission
Congressional organization refers fact that Sec
is itself the of a great volume OF
hrst-cass matter upon which the department reaps
handsome profit"
aptly said that while the freedom Of the |
press remains be ensaved when it is i'm !
paired diminished shall to be free"
Let then guard the liberty of the press
freedom of speech and the rights of jures.
Of the main props of the Constitution.
THE 1922 BOOM
TN May, 1919 during the big boom, the steel mills