The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-12
TAXATION WILL De
BATTLE GROUND Of
DECEMBER MEET
Melons Position To Be AS
sailed Openly BY Progress
Sive Group
WASHINGTON BUREAU.
THE AGE-HERALD
WASHINGTON. D. C. Aprtl II

1t is learned positively that when
the Secretary of the Treasury, An
drew w Mellon. formally advocated a
further reduction in surfaces he had
in mind only his idea that the lower
the tax imposed on business the more
revenue is produced for the govern
ment.
That his statement would have a
bearing on politics he was unaware.
It was certainly not delivered for po-
litical reasons
Nevertheless. the "progre ssives" in
Congress indicate belief that Mr..
Mellon, in his desire to foster big
business" challenged them with pre-
ditation-sought. in other word, to
goad them into a frenzy.
Cat Escapes From bag.
Already, Senator James T.. Watson
|of Indiana, after a discussion with the
President, had served notice on the
.progressives" that the administra-
ton forces would have resort to
every expedient in r. determined eff
fort to prevent a revision of taxation
the next session.
The statement of Watson was re-
garded by "progressives" as a def
ance of them and their program
which includes revision of taxation
so that the poor could have relief at
the expense of the rich. The state
ment of Mellon, according to the
| "progressives," permitted the eat &c
escape from the bag" They say to-
day that the administration really
wants further to relieve the business
of the country from the bearing OF
its just proportion of taxation in or.
der that that business be encoura gee
to put up the funds for the re-elec-
ton of President Harding.
Mellon often Assailed.
Congress is very fond of anathema
tizine Mr.. Mellon. 1t assails him be
cause he is a man of great wealth
with an open advocacy of the ides
| that prosperity on the part of biz
business produces general prosperity
Congress declares him cold and actu
4 ally cruel in his lack of consideration
! for the man in ordinary circum
| stances
Mr. Mellon has not played politics
i however, il is admitted. AS a matte
| of fact. he has been so open in ex
pressing his views that republican
! politicians who believe as he does
i but are elss communicative, hav,
complained because "he will not pla.
the game"
In 1921 he asked Congress to re
duce to a marked extent surfaces t,
be borne by business. Congress re
duced them but not to the extent tina
| -htiipH utSIl td fNeCelplS, as an
nounced after March Is, 1928. shove,
| fine increases despite the reduction
Mellon says that receipts would hav
| been greater had Congress furthe
| reduced the tax. Therefore, he ask
for further reduction.
| o o o
Big Battle Brewing
/ The argument of Mellon. according
to members of the Lafollette grouI
| is specious and pa lpably fallacious.
| Were Congress to follow the Mello,
| principle. they say. the treasur
would overflow were all taxation
abolished.
The lines are formed and the stag
is set for the big battle beginning
next December. There has been n
pussyfooting. Democrats and pro
| sressives," il is frankly admitted, ar
going to ask that surtaxes or exces
profit taxes be increased. and the rat
| imposed on relatively small income
| decreased.
Senator Watson, speaking for tn
administration. it is indicated, will
| oppose any revision of the tax laws
| The Secretary of the Treasury stand
| for further relief for big business.