Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-09-10
fascist METHOD OF SAVING
MONEY EXPLAINED BY HASKIN

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10:-The
Fascist of Italy have as active a
talent for getting things done in the
world of finance as In political af-
fairs, according to a report which
American financial authorities. The
report covers the finances of the
Fascist government and was pre-
pared by Alberto de- Stefani, the
minister of finance of Premier Mus
solini's cabinet.
The point of outstanding interest
in the recital TO how Italian finances
have prospered under the Black
shirts is that the burden of the in
come tax has been more equitably
distributed. In the old days before
the war and even during the war it
was charged that, either through
bad law or inefficient enforcement,
many persons were able to escape
the income tax. This was one of the
first weak points in Italian affairs
which was attacked by the Fascist
government when it came into pow
er. At the time of the succession of
the Fascist there were but 600, 900
persons paying income tax in the
Kingdom of Italy. This number has
10Y been increased to 1850 600 per-
sons.
The minister of finance has ap-
pointed what he terms a financial
police. Presumably these are Off
Gals somewhat similar to the Amer
lean collectors of internal revenue
and revenue agents. These officials
are diligent in seeking out delin-
quent taxpayers and eyaders of tax
alton. The doubling of the number
Of persons on whom the burden Of
tax will fall is expected to permit of
a reduction in tax rates and still
bring in a revenue greater than what
vas formerly collected.
System Similar to Ours
Another reform made by the Fas-
cisti governments financial regime
is the strengthening of the central
taxing autho- titles. Like the United
States, Italy has had a dual system
Of taxation; n federal, for the
whole country and one provincial,
like u state taxes. The federal
taxes have been made dominant and
they now have preference over the
provincial imposts, so that the gem
eral government is sure of it's reve-
nue. Care Is taken to prevent any
serious Interference between the
rights of the kingdom and the rights
of the tributary provinces, just as a
nice balance is preserved between
federal and state rights in the
United States.
Taxes have been greatly simplihed
by the Fascist regime. In the for
mer administration there were thir-
teen different kinds of taxes. The
Fascist administration has cut these
to four: a land tax, a buildings tax,
an income tax and a sort OF sales tax
or tax on transactions as 1t is called.
Great care has been exercised to
avoid laying taxes which would have
the effect Of increasing the price of
necessary fo~odstuffs, such as bread
and wine.
One of Italy's sore spots has been
the railway deficit. The Italian rail-
ways are under government owner
ship and operation and have been
accommodating annual deficits for
some time. Last year the railway
deficit was $4,000, 900 lire. During
the fiscal year 1923-24 the Fascist
program provides for reducing this
to $4,000, 600 lire. a decrease OF
S|oDtVVV1VVU lire. Ills
is expected to be announced in a few
months, as rapid progress has beer
made toward it. One hundred and
eighty million lire has been saved
in operating expenditures and 100,.
100000 lire has been added to tht
railway receipts.
The financial program for the mex
fiscal year calls for a further reduc'
ton OF 264, 900, 900 lire in the rail
way deficit and the following yeai
for a complete wiping out of thii
item. Once on the credit side of th'
ledger, the Fascist expect to redue,
rates drasticaliy. Whether this plaI
will prove successful must remain /;
matter of conjecture until the tim
comes but the report shows tina
good progress has been made SC far
The Fascist financial administra
ton has been as drastic and revolu
tionary In many respects as the poll
teal administration. Expenditure
which previous governments mad
have been dispensed with Will
other policies have been embarked
upon which are wholly new. In gen
eral. however, there has been NOR
saving Of funds resulting from wha
has been abandoned than from tn
new activities engaged in.
Abolished Royal Guard
Some of the notable savings In
clude an annual saving Of 2S6,000,