The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1922-04-15
ADDED CHAPTER on
income TAX D0DeMe
fBy Bruce Blivcn)

by Bruce Blivcn)
New York. April Has the
entire federal inrornc lax system
Of the Cnifed States brokca
down.
Are millions Of cur citizens
evaiing their lawful obligations
10 the government
Have billions of dollars in Vr-
paid taxes been Illegally with
held from the United States dur
ing the last five yearsf
In prtvi0us articles II the
series. Of which this j. the third.
the writer has shown that the
answer TO these questions ls
Yes"
Tie has shown that on the
hasis Of the figures 81 the United
States Census Rnreau and the
commissioner 81 internal rcvenne.
as compared by Jason Rogers
publisher Of the New York Glebe.
AT least half the wage cGrners IN
the United States should have
made an income tax return and
failed TO do 50. Summarized. the
figures are as follows
Only One n Eight
There are approximately s2-
100000 wage-earners IN the
Uniied States. In 1919. only s.
100000. or onc-eieArh q the
total. filed personal income shx
rtinrns.
Yet economists are agreed that |
the avreage incane Of al workers
in the United States was then /
over 81. 900 wear.
The 100000 who fled income
tax returns certified 70 total IN !
comes aggrerafine SASS. 600.
600. Yet the total income 81 IL
divldusls and corporations IN the
United States is wel over S60.-
e00-000. 900 per Annun4
What became Of the other $40
Oo0. 600 900 which was not report
ed 10 the government
The figures prepared fy Mr.
Rogers throw an interesting hight
not only On what appears 10 he
about the bicreSi tax-dodrlng
scandal IN all hisfa:y. hui also
the proportion Of The national
tax burden borne hy the vzrions
classes IN the community.
OF the 5.300.oo0 persons VINO
filed individual income tax re-
turns $4,000 represented per
sons with incomes Of less than
$4,000 a year. The total tax
collected from these amounted /
TO S2s6. 100000.
small Minority Pays the Most
The remaining l2I.no0 iaxpay-
ers, with incomes N excess Of
$4,000 a year. paii taxes and
surt1xes amounting to s9ss. .ooo,-
coo. The total collected from in
dividnals IN both classes amount
Cd 10 sl.c6a, ,ooO, 600.
Therefore. II win he seen that
about one-fenth Of 4 per cent Of
the people in the country paid
approximately so per cent Of the
personal income taxes.
approximately 5 per cent Of
the people paid about - per cent
of the lax, and % 9l6 per cent
Finclnding. Of course. al the
women and children in the conn-
try), paid nothing.
Tax dcdging, TO be sure, Is not / !
limited 10 any one class N the
community. Ii exists both among
the rich and the poor. SO far as
can be seen, from careful study
Of the figures compiled by Mr. ,
Rogers there is not much to
choose between the iwc classes
If the wealthy classss hold back /,
from the government much larger
SUMS, the poor evsde their obi
cations IN infinitely larger num-
bers. I
From independent sources Of
kinds, striking confirm
ton is secured Of Mr. Rogers 5
contention that many millions
perhaps as many as 1900. 900 or
%. .00o ooo-haye failed 70 file IN
come tax returns. though the law {
requires every person with an IN I
come of 81 600 or mere 70 do 50, {
whether his exemptions exceed !
his income. or not.
1axpayers W Auto Owners
Take. for example, the proper {
tinn Of income taxpayers to suto- 4
nobsle owners IN various parts OF 1
he country. 1t Is certainly ale
rkasonsble hypothesis 70 suppose L
hat zny person Ei'a can afford
10 maintain an automobile Is
probsblr IN receipt 81 an income =
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