Evening star., 1924-10-27
u. S. TO CLEAR UP
TAX MUDDLE SOON
CONTINUED from First Page. }

December. So much stir has been
caused that it seemed Il foregone
conclusion that the matter will be
taken IN for consideration of some
kind at the next session, which will
be the concluding session of the Con-
gress which passed the revenue bills
publicity section.
In the short session. which ends by
law in March, the appropriation bills
for the next fiscal year will demand
the major attention Of Congress But
il was predicted on all sides today
that Congress will be unable to ig-
more an issue which has caused such
nationwide disturbance and differ
ences of opinion.
Result of Decision Awaited.
The question of what will happen
when the decision is reached also
arose today. The Treasury has ap-
parently washed its hands of the
troublesome question, saying in
formally through Secretary Mellon
and Internal Revenue Commissioner
Blair shat it is now up to- the
Department of Justice. No official
document. however, so far as could
be determined had passed from the
Treasury to the Department of Jus
tice. 1t was understood the Attorney
General was proceeding under an
original investigation of the problem
instituted at the department during
his absence in the West.
How he Will proceed, in case fur
ther action is necessary after his
decision, was not announced. Should
he decide that newspapers publishing
the names and figures are liable
under the penalty clause, it was ex
ha
the department to the various dis
trict attorneys for action.
In the office of the collector at Balti-
more every person who is granted per-
mission to inspect the books must first
sign a formal request, containing the
names and addresses Of those whose
payments he wishes to ascertain. On the
same paper is a paragraph from the law
governing such an inspection, and warn
ing the applicant that publication OF the
information he obtains may bring fine
of 81 600. year in Jail, or both. These
application banks will be made public
as well as the records.
Applicants Arc Classified.
Applicants for income tax information
are to be divided into four classes. So
tremendous was the rush for infoI1na-
ton on the first two days the books were
to keep the revenue collector and his as
sistants from being pushed from the
customs house, where the offices are To-
Gated, altogether. These classes are as
follows:
'The legitimate applicants, such
as attorneys. trustees, fiduciaries
banks, State and municipal authori-
ties, husbands, wives, family mem
bers, business houses or persons hav-
ing some present reasonable tangi-
BILE interest in information respecting
one or more persons. but not in
Guiding large groups or persons.
THE curious and envious appli-
cants who can show no present >rea-
sonable, personal financial or busi-
ness interest in information re-
quested.
''The competitive applicants who
wish information concerning those
in competitive business lines, profess
sions or industries.
The commercialiZed applicants who
desire lists of business prospects or
lists for mercantile credit in general
salesmanship purposes"
Many to BE Refused.
Applicants in the last class prob
ably will be refused permission to
examine the books at all, while those
in the second and third class will
stand little better opportunity, "be-
cause of the stress of business in Mr..
Tait's Office" Every assistance the
collector can lend to legitimate in
quirers, in the first class, however.
will be made available. The new rules
were applied early today.
A score or more of reporters from
Washington and Baltimore news
papers beSieged the collector. hut he,
announced that from now on exam
ination of the books to any person
will be confined to the hours from
10 am. to II noon on Tuesdays, We'd
nesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
This is necessary to give the office
force time to do its own work and ex-
animation Of the books was denied all
persons today. Mr.. Tait'S statement on
the subject follows, in part:
1.-Two days experience demonstrates
the absolute necessity of careful super
vision Of the publicity section Of the
present revenue law In order that the
recording and collecting of Income