Evening star., 1924-10-24

With income tax assessment lists
OF the Nation thrown open for pub
lie inspection" by the Treasury, and
with some newspapers already pub
fishing the income taxes paid by the
country's wealthiest citizens, the
Government was precipitated into
confusion today over the question as
to whether such publication consti-
tutes a criminal offense, punishable
by fine and Imprisonment.
Warnings have been issued by both
the Treasury and Department of
Justice that such publication may be
an offense against the statutes, even
in view of the new revenue law of
1924, approved last June, which pro-
vided that such lists be public. No
definite pronouncement has been
forthcoming as yet to decide the
issue.
Baltimore Lists Open.
Names Of Americas wealthy men
already have been dug out of the tax
records, in all parts of the United
States. with permission being grant
ed newspaper men and others to I'm
spect" such lists. and the affixed fig
ures, showing millions of dollars Of
taxes paid into the Government.
But while the warning was being
issued that to publish may be to
commit offense, the collectors of in
ternal revenue, as revealed by dis
patches from Baltimore. Md. head
quarters for this district. were still
allowing newspaper men today to
peruse the lists. which for years have
been held absolutely secret from the
public eye.
Real excitement has been stirred
up throughout the Treasury, and at
the Department of Justice, where off,
cials hurriedly conferred today, and
where no unanimity of opinion was
disclosed.
Some Newspapers Uneasy.
Perturbation existed in many news
paper circles, where already long lists
of the wealthy and their taxes had
been published. Some which had pub
1ished the figures on advice of coun-
sci appeared to be willing to stand
on their position.
Fin thusiastic advocates of the rev.
enue law of 1924 and it's publicity
provisions claimed, with confidence.
lean public had perfect right to
know how much tax had been raid
by any and all American taxpayers.
They point out that Congress meant
by it's new law to repeal the pro-
vision of the former statute, section
3is7, which prohibits publishing re-
turns.
Government officials on the whole
were deeply concerned that some lists
hPen
even overanxious that every one view
ing the lists should also have their
attention called to the old prohibit
tory statute.
Treasury Issues Warning.
This old statute was the subject of
= statement issued hurriedly by the
Treasury last night after Commits
sioner of Internal Revenue Blair had
announced earlier in the day that
lists would be open for public in
epection."
The Department of Justice entered
the situation today when Treasury
officials had it brought to their at
tention that many lists already had
been printed, which might be in vio-
Jation of the law.
Acting Attorney General James M
Eeck issued the following warning:
Many inquiries have been received
by the Department of Justice as to
the publication in the press of the
income tax records secured from the
collectors of taxes offices under the
public inspection provision Of the
tax law passed in May last. in view
of the provisions of section 1857 OF
the Revised Statutes, which. II unre-
pealed by the later law, makes such
publication a criminal offense.
Officials of the department stated
that a careful study of the two pro-
visions would be made, and in due
course a conclusion reached as tc
whether such publication is permis-
sible under the law as now amended
Puts Responsibility On Press.
I'm the meantime. the responsibility
for such publications must rest with
those who in any way publish the
details of individual incomes"
Attorney General Stone is in Des
Moines, Iowa. He is expected to re-
turn to Washington Sunday, when the
results of study which will be given
CONTINUED on Page 2. Column 60