Evening star., 1923-03-22
TREASURY ASSA|LS
TAX CASE ADVISERS
Sharp Practices by. Some
Lawyers and Accountants
Are Alleged.
MAKE $3.50 CONTRACTS
New Order Requires Practitioners
to File Statement of Fees
They Are to Receive.
MAKE $3.50 CONTRACTS

Sharp practices by certain lawyers
and accountants before the internal
revenue bureau, the most fragrant of
which included some $3.50 contracts
between these men and their clients
providing for an even split of refund
ed income taxes, were disclosed
today. following the issuance OF
drastic order which will require all
such persons practicing before the
bar of the bureau to report to the
government the nature of their con-
tracts with clients. AS result of
such practices. which were branded
highly unethical," few persons who
have been caught have been dis
barred.
The growth OF "unethical" methods
in presentation of cases before the
bureau. it was explained by officials
today, has led the government not
only to order q "strict" enforcement
of the new order, but to tightening
up on restrictions to admission to
the bar of the bureau, operating
through the committee of enrolment
and diSbarment.
Get Copy of Contract,
The most serious infraction of the
ethics of practice before the bureau
recently came to the notice of officials.
it was explained today, through local
channels. A copy of one of the high
ly Objectionable "5O-50' contracts is
in the hands Of the authorities and may
l..
order that the people may learn what
means have been resorted to in at
tempting to gain profits through re-
funded taxes.
Accountants and lawyers of high prin-
ciples, 1t was made plain by officials, are
believed to be in accord with the spirit
OF the new position taken by the bureau
as the dealings of the ''unethicar' as a
rule operate against the good of their
professions.
While emphasizing that most of the
men in this work were help instead of
hindrance to the government in bring
ing about justice between the people
and the. tax collectors, the suggestion
was advanced that there were some
persons in this city who had engaged
In irregular dealings.
Text of Order.
In order to carry out the proVi-
sions Of the regulations" said Secre-
tary MELONS order, "all attorneys and
agents and others practicing before
the Treasury Department or any of
its bureaus or offices, including par
.ticularly the bureau of internal reve-
nue., are required, from this date and
until further notice, to file with the
chief clerk of the Treasury Depart
ment, in duplicate, a signed declara-
tion in writing. stating whether or
not the business in which the attor-
ney o. agent appears before the de-
partment is being handled on a con-
tingent basis, and, If so, on what
basis and under what arrangements
regarding compensation.
Specific declarations. giving the
names and descriptions of the cases.
must be filed in accordance with this
order covering each case now pend
ing or that may hereafter be pend
ing before the Treasury Department,
provided, however, that any attorney
agent not before the
may fle with the chief clerk of the
Treasury Department, in lieu of these
specific declarations, a general afIi-
davft, in duplicate, stating that he
is not handling any business before
the Treasury Department on a con-
tingent basis and that he will not
handle any business before the Treas
ury Department on contingent
basis without first giving specific
notice to the department and filing a
declaration in duplicate as above re-
Quired. Every such affidavit must
state the Treasury offices before
which the attorney or agent proposes
to practice, and notice of the filing
of the Tahidavit will be. transmitted
by the. chief clerk to the heads of
all such offices, as well as to the
lEnnfinuAd on Pare n C0himn 4