Evening star., 1924-03-02
DEMOCRATS CLAIM TRIUMPH
IN PASSAGE OF TAX BILL
National Committee Statement Points to Changes
in Mellon Proposals Reputation of
Administration Policy.

large incomes and subject Ia the
higher rates. The higher the rate In
Uther words. the greater and the
more disproportionate are the reduc-
- per cent reduction of the smaller
surtaN rates.
This condition could be no more
clearly illustrated than by the fact
that the democratic tax proposal
a"ds larger m sSfeas oo tban .he onS
worth-La Toilette proposal. and hence
when these two proposals are APP
piled to the rates on the higher IN
comes the Longworth- Toilette
reductions increase mucn more rap,
idly than the Garner tdemocratic)
reduction of taxes. The latter scale
of rates is based somewhat on the
usual method of graduation. while
the former makes arbitrary de-
partures therefrom; For iilustratnon i9a.
reduction of $4,000 on an income
OF $3.50. 600. but only SIS on AN INCOME
Of $4,000.
Immediate Reform.
|. The tax outcome in the House has
in other essential respects fully con-
firmed and vindicated the attitude and
policy of the democrats. in that the
first step in successful income taxa
tion involves the immediate reform
reorga nization and revitalizaton OF
the administration of the law by the
Treasury Department. This would in
clude the permanent installation OF
fifty to seventy-five key men OF the
highest qualifications and fitness at
such salaries as would justify them
in remaining during good behavior
Such REORGANIZATION would remove 80
lper cent of existing complaints o1
taxpayers due to unsatisfactory dis
80 I,t- 70 n n "
uncertainty, expense, numerous back
, assessments, denominations and
consequent irritation to taxpayers.
"In the second place, it is now very
! clear that in addition to administra.
tion reform, and before rates can bt
considered with any definiteness, Con.
Eress must place upon relative
; equality for the purpose of the tax
the incomes of individuals, partners
and stockholders Of corporations. This
equalization of income invloves the
stopping of a number Of large holes
through which taxes are either evaded
1 or avoided
with these two prerequisites prop.
erly dealt with. 1t would then become
no difficult matter to effect further
| adequate revenue under we'll balanced
and proportioned rates which, in theil
effects, would not be unduly burden.
some or punitive or oppressive tt
any class OF business OF OF lnol'
, viduais.
Looking back at the course OF the
propagandists for the Mellon plan
which at no time has had the slight.
est chance to pass the House: II
strongly appears that part Of the
tactics has been to divert attention
as fully as possible ,!ea,ir from n,s all case:
chiefly responsible for the existing
high cost of living and Is tremend-
ously oppressive to all ef the one
hundred and ten million people. Dur.
| ing the Mellon tax controversy any
person who dared even to hint a
tariff tax relief was branded aa by Mel, s,
| reduction or as playing politics.
THE opportunity is just ahead TO,
comprehensive tax reduction in thu
| interest Of all the people and thi:
especially includes tariff tax reduc
| tion, which. during coming weeki
will be pressed in the House OF Rep
reSentatives.''