The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-02-19
DR.. FRANK CRANES
DAILY EDITORIAL
One End or The Other
By DR. PRANK CRANE.

HERE is perfectly simple principle by which anyone
understand the tax question.
AS taxation is at present carried out it is safe to
that to ninety people out of hundred it hope
less middle.
If the principle indicated below were acted upon everv
body could understand it perfectly principle u.s.
Levy taxes at end the other.
That levy the point of production or the
point Of consumption.
governments should do this there would be the mini
amount of tax lodging and besides this thousand
other evils would be cured
The best method of taxation the that has the
reason and behind it, is what is known
Single Tax. do not think however, that it would be prac
tica to attain Single Tax at present. property system
is complicated and the Of prejudice against this
form of tax is at present great No how sensible
and logical system is have to take into account the
material have to work WITH which is the public mind
And just the public mind is both incapable and
willing to consider the arguments Of Single Tax
But while the Single Tax which taxation the point
of production, is impractical there is form Of taxation
at the other end, the point of consumption which is
entirely feasible. I mean the Sales Tax
The Sales Tax would levy the entire upon the ul
mate
For instance if bought an overcoa Cor fifty dollars
he would be charged fifty dollars and fifty for it, let
say. Or perhaps fftythree dollars. This Of
fifty cents three dollars would all the that
should be levied that overcoat and the material
work that went to produce it from the beginning
Such would be simple easily collected and entirely
just
Under the present system the government which should
assist business really mpedes Obsructs and annoys bust
Instead of helping the prosperity Of the country
is injuring it.
Under the present system of taxation the
wages a constant warfare upon Thrift Why should any
strive to develop his business the people better
increase his capital when the government has horde Of
paid officials whose business is watch him. examine his
books and question his every transaction if he
crook7
Our present Tax pestferous forms of
taxation penalze They have their origin the
Bolshevlstc notion that whoever achieves riches
kind of criminal But every healthy American, with
few exceptions is endeavorng to achieve riches
the implication is that every American criminal that
business necessarily wicked and that no one can get on
in the world without becoming enemy of the people.
An army Of $500 government employees is constantly
occupied In going the tax returns of the business
OF the country to If they cannot find something crooked
in them.
This is 1924 just received letter from some tax
expert In the government wanting to know about certain
item return of 1922 This detective wants me to give
him emzed Of all the that 90 to make up
that return The inquiry is contentious The matter Of
such nature that mortal could remember back
two years and answer it properly.
My financial affairs do amount to much but can
easily see from this what must be the troubles of any
ness man whose affairs large and complicated He would
nave TO keep starr OF lawyers and experts constantly
employed.
AS matter of fact most business men, besides being at
great pains to make out their Income Tax the
first place. at great employing tax experts in
the second place argue the out with Of
fcals anywhere from to five years after they
sent in their returns
The whole business contrary genius Of the Ameri
people
1t is inimical to prosperity.
1t drives capital out of business
1t hOg-ties the progress Of the country
1t is essentially unsound and immoral
The simple expedient Of the Sales Tax would wipe out
the whole army Of mischief Makers would unleash the
energies OF business and would raise money the
government
Let the tax be at end the other either the point
OF consumption or the point of production.
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