The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-11-17
About the Income Tax
And the Neatness With Which 1t Extracts Cash
From Small People.

Big people say the income tax changing To put
such terrificay heavy burden large incomes dcour
ages enterprise Men do want to risk their money build
ing up enterprises, giving employment they must
stand all the los LOSS comes and give up half the profits
PROFIT
that although returns show that the
biggest incomes practically untaxed Only one man IN the
United declares income of five million dollars
And are incomes of than ten
million dollars month. That's another story.
This is about the great success which the income
reaches that salaries DOCTORS lawyers architects
mining engineers, statesmen, etc.
Take railroad big factory earning huge amounts
Of money lawyer earning $4,000 year. something
goes wrong with the railroad factory mine machinery
chancs called in Whatever the mechanics charge is
deducted from income taxation.
something goes wrong with the inside machinery Of the
lawyer and he calls DOCTOR, to fix him. that he
continue earning money for his family and his he
charges. Why not7 What's the difference? Isn't he q
money-earning machine in need OF repairs
Then consider the estmabe mine owner who exhales
pure high thoughts the Newport air. any other mine
owner living comfort while miners extract coal or other
material from the mine.
endless items wearing out of machinery which is proper de-
creag value of buildings which proper and then he says
to Government 81 can't give you what you think you
ought to gel, because of depletion
What is depletion do you ask? Why don't you see the
mine becomes DEPLETED take out the COAL ron gold
i iss coal or in the mine than when the year began
The man property becoming valuable Therefore
makes an allowance for depletion and collects less
What about that lawyer doctor7 HIS "mine" is his
health BRAIN physical energy The lawyer fights in court
wearing himself out The doctor called at ali hours night
and day, in all weather. THERE IS DEPLETION.
At any moment the doctor or lawyer drop dead from
heart failure, be by automobile otherwise
made worthless.
Coal mines DON'T DROP DEAD automobiles don't run
them The lawyer and the DOCTOR at the end OF every
and worked for thirty years order to make living during
TON TON years. AAA NO' ALLOWED = 01A1 DAt -
The old doctor of sxtve cannot go before tax col
ectors and say, Gentlemen, old It true
tia. am earning fairly good professional income. But
Me have at best few before in which to provide
for those that want to take of after death When
you take slice of income not really taking
INCOME you are taking PRINCIPAL. my life blood, my
body what little energy there is left of me-
Take the late Levy Mayer, Of Chicago It is known
among lawyers and judges that he paid the largest income
tax Of any lawyer in the United States
He worked with terrific energy that killed him. He
didn't o0@ but one 9o day in New York City when oF he
clients then hurried Washington, then back Chicago
spending four nights OF one week on the and
allowance the income tax for coal mines that being
depleted and for buildings that worth less than they
look at What allowance do think ought to be made
on this old body that am using up fast as can?
thing about that matter Of income tax don't mention
have complaint to make take my medicine It
man with big family worrying about them, that needs SYM
pathy.
Levy Mayer was dead when his letter was opened So
there is no harm in mentioning his
It is said earnestly cheerfull enthusiastically by the
owners Of big incomes that tax system must be revised
True must but not only regards big incomes running
The revision should begin by treating honestly the men
whose plant their brain and body allowing them deduct
for life insurance that plant you allow deductions
fire insurance on factory allowing for depreciation and
depletion that plant the human body of which the
4uness and activity definitely limited.