Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-02-14
HARRIS To SUPPORT
democratic INCOME
RATES IN SENATE.
Georgia Scion Opposes Mellon
Plan 10 Speech on Floor of
Upper House
EXEMPT $4,000 INCOMES
Married Men With Incomes I'M
der That Amount Should Not
Be Taxed, Harris Says

speech in the Senate on tax reduc-
ton legislation, and support Of the
Democratic rates was announced by
the Georgia Senator. He based his
action in the charge that the Mel
lon plan reduces the taxes Of the
rich approximately one-half, While
it reduces taxes of the poor man or
man Of moderate income, who is
exempt from the sutax, just one
fourth The rich man thus saves
in per centage Of reduction under
the Mellon plan, twice as much as
the man with small or moderate IN
come," said Senator Harris.
The change of positions by Sec
rotary Mellon and Republican Sen
ators on making distinction be-
tween earned and unearned in
comes was outlined by Senator Har
ris as he showed where he offered
the same plan in 1921 now spon-
sored by the Republicans but do
feated then by them. The Geor-
gia Senator wanted a difference OF
so per cent in the rate for earned
income as compared with unearned
income, but Secretary Mellon now
proposes a distinction OF Is per
cent, he said.
Senator Harris said the Democra-
tic members Of the House Ways and
Means Committee failed in the
faces of Republican opposition to
secure specific recognition for the
farmers in making their incomes
for the earned class.
The number of taxpayers now
and to continue under the Mellon
plan are 4,361,367, while there
would be 1,878.904 under the Dem
ocratic plan, said the Georgia
Senator pointing out the tremendous
saving in operating expenses be-
cause Of the elimination Of the re
quirement for submitting income
tax returns byz2,O00, 900 people who
do not pay taxes. m Georgia 431
people wodld get more benefits up~
der the Mellon plan than 67,671
under the Democratic plan. - 1850
If i had my way, no narridaI
: man ~jth-e4a aiAeome of $4,000 orI
less would be required to pay one
cent income tax as they need all
they can make or scrara to sup
port. and educate their families, :"
said Senatar Harris.
When he,.saonstitution sqas
amended to lauthenize the, collection
Of Federal income taxes itrwas new
or intended to collect taxes on
small incomes, The purpose was
70 make wealth pay its fair share
q taxes, Which il had escaped. The
poor man is already taxed indirect
~ more than he can bear through
the Republican high protective tar.
III, which increases the price az
everything and adds to the cost of
living" charged the GEORGIA SEN.
ator. The Mellon plan saves mil
hons Of dollars for the compare
lively few milionaires while the
Democratic plan provides much
needed relief to millions of poor
people or poole with small incomes ),
Senator Harris pointed out that
money from tax-exempt securities
issued blythe state, county and mpr,-
lclpal government was secured 1T
lower rates of Interest than would
be the case otherwise. and that the
FUNDS were Immediately used IN
the employment of labor and the
purchase of material for public i'm
provements.
IN arrangement Of the Republicaa
administration Senator Harris said
there are other sins besides tho -
come tax sop to the rich at the az
pehse Of the poor, for which tbis
Republican administration will have
70 answer to the American voters
male and female" He said 90
soon as the Republicans cot control |
OF Congress they tried to tbrottro
me Federal Trade Commission bI |
declining to appropriate money fo,. |
us upkeep. " fThero has been moro !
SCANDAL during this Republican = J.
liliiiStratlon than any other in tho |
history of our government said ,bo |
SENATOR SENATOR IN summarizing the Teapot |
Dole OIL case; the Bureau of En-
craving dlsmissals; the lobby agaIns4
the development of Muscle SboaIs |
Tor making fertilizers; and the Vet. |
Grams Bureau disclosures
Senator Harris said u bavee ,,o
prejudice against those who, homes
y accumulate great wealth. but + !
tRey continue trying to avoid hear
lsg their fair share Of the bnrdcn |
OF taxation they will be giving aid
and encouragement to socialists
and Others who believe in the con-
flscation of all property This Re-
publican administration with alljts
scandals by enacting legislation
for the benefit Of the trusts and y,
wealthy class and furnishing no re-
lief to those who toll in the field
and shop, have done more IA an