Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-10-28
BUSINESS IS BITTER
AGAINST TREASURY
For TAX PUBLICITY
Administration Put in Hole
by Unexpected Application
of Law at This Time
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Special Leased Wire to The Journal-Copy-
ric-i,4

and business city has had a shock
over the publicity Of income tax pay
ments which has a distinct bearing
on the presidential campaign.
Why did Secretary Mellon permit
the publication of the figures at this
time? Did he hope to give the
American business man further proof
of the La Toilette type of legislation,
believing that money would be con-
tributed not only for the success of
the Republican presidential ticket
but the election of a Republican con-
gresS to '~peal The law?
SO far as this correspondent could
determine by inquiry from here to
the White House, the plan to make
public the payments has long been
in process and developed s a matter
of routine in the treasury depart
ment. Business men to whom this
LEGISLATION was given, however, were
bitter in their comments on the I'M
wisdom of the move, they said, for
instance, that the law did not specify
any particular date for the publica-
ton so long as it was within the
year. Under the circumstances, the
treasury could have waited until the
end of December, meanwhile appeal
ing to congress at the December ses-
sion, or even sooner by special SEES
sion. to amend this and other laws
requiring immediate action. There
Is substantial sentiment in favor
of the repeal of this section of the
4 law. Democratic votes could be
counted upon. The difficulty at the
time the measure was adopted was
that it could not be easily divorced
from other parts of the law. 1t was
used as a means of trading with the
radicals and Democrats. Placed be-
fore congress as a separate issue, it
would have a better chance of be-
Ing voted upon on it's merits.
The business world is accustomed
to think of the administration at
Washington as safe and as likely to
give as little shock as possible to
them. The action of the treasury in
taking a step which was not neces'
sary at this time has therefore ex-
cited wonder and provoked much
discussion as to what political pur-
pose cold be served that would be
greater than the disadvantages in
Cured.
For instance. the La Toilette peo-
pie have been trying for several
weeks in the campaign to make the
battle one between the rich and the
poor. They have not succeeded but
there's ammunition galore in the
lists of income tax payments for ac-
cording to the radical view tie max
ing of large sums of money Is un-
Justified from any stand point.
Labor which has been clamoring
for increases in wages without par
ticular regard to whether a proper
return on the investment was made
now can handy the figures ABOUT in
labor controversies and business was
lust about to settle down to an era o.
peace and quiet. The fact that part
of the returns are made public and
the details withheld leads to all sorts
of unwarranted differences, A man
who is recorded as paying less than
two thousand dollars in taxes but
who is known 10 be millionaire is
looked upon with suspicion. Is he
evading his taxes? lie may nave
sustained heavy lUsses in some en-
torprises or he may have put his
money in tax exempt securities. But
the individual is put in an awkward
position unless he explains Al eX-
PLANTATION of bookkeeping transac'
tions are often too technical to be
convincing.
WHY did they do it? The admin
tstration drifted into the thing with
out much thought one way or the
other The radicals out-maneuvered
the conservatives in the last session
of CONGRESS- because the leadership
Of the latter was clumsy. The rad
icals this time are profiting by the
mistakes of the conservatives. And
as for the repeal of the law, it has
been made twice as difficult now
that the radicals can see their OPP
portunity to stir up diSaffectlOn by
discussing the income tax payments
of captains of American industry
Had there been any announcements
in advance of the treasury's inten'
ton of even a request from the eX
ecutive of congress after the election
for repeal Of the law, there might
have been developed a public opinion
against the present section of the
law and its repeal. AS it is, the sit
uation has become so confused that
the administration will find itself al
the next session on the defensive
against moves TO make public all the
details Of income tax returns.
TAN OFFICE swAMPED
By CURIOSITY SEEKERS
CHICAGO, Oct. 25.-Mrs. Mabel
G. Reinecke, collector of internal
revenue, was forced to clear her de-
partment in the federal building to-
day of some 200 curious citizens in
quest of their neighbors' income tax
figures.
The growing swarm of the inquis-
tive halted the routine work of the
department for several hours.
More than 5000 Inquiries had
reached her office when Mrs
Reincke announced the rules Many
had come by telephone, with the
suggestion III hold the line while
you look it up"
One man with a flair for Figures
asked for returns from all three
counties around Rock Island"
Under the new order, applicants
will present their request to a clerk
who will look for the informa tior
when. and if, II does not interfere
with his routine duties.
The curious had no paper for THEN
requests so they went home.
n T. u n