New Britain herald., 1923-12-10
Coolidge Discussing Bonus, Is Anxious to Help Dis abled But Sees No Reason to Spend Vast Sums for Fit and Able Bodied.


 Coolidge specifically recommended to congress today a reduction of more than s300,0O0,000 in the national tax bill and the same time presented views in opposition to soldiers bonus.
 The executive. in a message trans hitting the annual budget said frank ly that "any program of new eXpendi- ture on a large scale would make tax reduction impossible for years to come." He added that tax reduction would certainly tend to align the whole people in support of economical administration Of government" which he declared is becoming every day more and more necessary"
 'I recommend a revision of tax laws" MT. Coolidge said, "along lines which will effect a reduction of in- come taxes by taxing earned income more lightly than income from busi- ness or from investments; by reducing the percentages of the normal tax, and by rducing the surtax rates, with commencement of their application at sl0,000 instead of s6,000. I also rec ommond repeal of the tax on tele- grams, telephones, and leased wires, and of the tax on admissions, and re- vision of the miscellaneous taxes which are a source of inconvenience to taxpayers, and difficult to collect. On the other hand amendments which would cause some increase of revenue should also be made to existing in- come tax laws relative to deductions of capital losses; deductions from gross income for interest paid and nonbusiness losses sustained, wherein income from taX-eXempt securities is involved; and the manner of taxing community incomes. These changes would reduce taxes by more than $500. o0O,000, which is safely within the probable surplus.
 What People Want
 'I know of nothing which will give the people of this nation greater as- surance that we are unalterably com mitted to campaign of economy in public expenditure than reduction of our present taxation. It will take from the realm of debate plans which
  or expansions of the business of gov ernment beyond those necessary to keep pace with growing nation and fixes the measure of our requiremets an amount which will represent what is actually necessary to carry on efii- ciently the proper business and func- tions of government and meet our fixed debt charges payable out of cur rent revenue. IL would certainly tend 10 align the whole people in support Of economical administration of gov- ernment, and frankly state that such an alignment is becoming every day more and more necessary because of the influence which it will have upon the states and the other lesser sub- divisions Of our body polite.
 Take Up Bonus Issue
 "in stating that reduction in taxa ton carries with it an obligation not to embark upon an extraordinary ex- penditure program, l am not unmind- ful of the demand for adjusted com pensation for soldiers of the world war, which would include among it's
 
 veterans as well as the disabled. I l if there is any sound reason | tor such measure. The country is | prosperous and remunerative employ l mcnt is available for the able bodied l veterans as we'll as for other citizens. 1 For the disabled veterans Of the | war and tho dependents of those who | foil the country can not do too much. | lt has already spent nearly two bil- | lions of dollars and is now spending ! nearly half billion dollars yearly in | their behalf That obligation it must l and will continue to fulhll in fullest | measure. And 1t is one of the most 1 important of the duties and privileges ! Of tho chief executive to minister to ! tho wants and needs Of these wards ! and creditors Of the nation. But the fit and able-bodied are off, 1 fcred the opportunity open to every | other citizen. The government has no | money to distribute to any class Of it's | citizens that it does not take from 1 the pockets of the people and the | Of bonus to millions of our | former soldiers could only be accom- | plisned at a cost to the whole com f including the veterans them- | selves. far outweighing the benefits ! to be considered. If I felt ! that a soldiers bonus represented a great need and proper obligation which should be fulfilled by this na- lion, I certainly would not make a which would be ad- serse thereto. II We have now reached a point in bur financial program where we can tighten the tax burden of the people. Al which is an added reason for taking a firm stand against any and all pro- grams of spending that would tend to ibsorb the expected margin between ...,.si.,a and avnendifurpa III