Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-14
OPPOSED TO MORE TAXES.

facturcrs. IL II announced. has Joined
with other organizations In the con-
cortcd opposition that has been In
sugura,cd against the imposition OF
additional taxes on business for the /
purpose of raising revenue TO cover
sho cos, of the proposed soldiers
bonus. II has been made clear 10 |
members " Congress that tho bonus |
cannot be allowed without a substan-
tinl Increase IN taxation. and all bust
ness interests are united in the claim
(which cannot be- successfully dis
putcd--that business cannot stand
further impositions. and that what
O. needs Is reduction In the bur-
den OF taxation. not nm increase
Tho suggested increases have
aroused storms of protest. and no
wonder. for they hcspeak their In
Justice In their own terms. Take. for
instance. the proposed increase in
taxes on theatres. Already there is
tax of 10 cents on each admission, and
81 II proposed to add 10 cents more.
Tho tax. ot course. must be paid by
enc patrons. and under existing condi-
eions theatres. as a rule. are suffering
severely from dun patronage. With
we tax ON admissions doubled it Is
easy 60 conceive that business would
fsn or To distrcssine extent when
Il can hardly stand up under prevail
ins rates.
IA usual. tobacco figures prapai-
nently In tho tentative new tax schcd-
uies. II uscd 10 he a favor'te cry that
nxcs should bear most heavily on
Injuries, and that necessities. In Jus
ticc 60 tho poor, should be muicted
- lightly ss possible. hut every move
for increased taxation hits tobacco
which is not 20 be classed as lux
ury IN ,hc.e DAYS. by thousands Of
wofkinHmcn u II claimed as a neces-
atty, and certainly n comes very close
a. admission 60 that category. Il
would be nm imposition upon thou
snnds 10 put a further tax on tobacco
Nearly every item In the tentative
schedule ~ increased taxes. n sub
,ec,cd 20 analysis. would stand out II
the same lleh,. Not ono OF them hu
what encounters vigorous and Jus
opposition. Tho truth is that IN
country IA far TOO heavily taxed a
present. ana there is n legitimate an
righteous demand FOR a lessoning G
the burden, not an increase But
n fact thnt the enormous expend'
turc tho allowance Of the bonus woul
call Tor makes tax increase TO bur
dcn.omc extent necessary IN the ever
OF It's approval by tho conrresA Tn
bonus means heavier taxes.
Even though the merit Of tho bonr
proposition hc undisputed. II would
a scrious dctriment TO an business ir
tercs's 20 provide Tor It at this tim
when business is fairly stasgerir
under the adverse effects Of the wa,
~ depression that has LONG blankets
ths country. Failures are increasin
ana thousands of business concer,
arc In straltcncd circumstance
barely able 10 struggle along and Ike,
heads above water, II would bc erin
~ avTravatc this serious econom
condition by the imposition OF add
sional taxation M this time. for al
purpose whatever. And there a
mnny evidences tina, the proposi,i
g. pay cash bonus cut Of the Fe
srai treasury te those who served {
f'NhiiN uhilNt Nhi lt'b'ilab'h
tho World War is not indorsed
sound public sentiment. Even ma
uoldcrs are opposed 20 A..
Tha, the government owes a du
a. those who suffered by the war
no, disputed. II Will be admitted
81 fsir-ininded persons that the &c
sinmcnt should do these things:
IL should care for the widows ,
orphans. and other dependents OF
~ho gave their lives TO the count
o. The fun measure OF requirement
~ should care FOR every man "
Was Disabled IN the service. 20 4
extent of preparing him as far as y
sialo for making a living by his o
efforts. with pension allowances
alI who were permanently disabled
mounds
v u should make ample provision