New Britain herald., 1924-10-24
In Meantime Publish CTS Who Print Re- turns Will Be Doing So At Their Own Risk, Says Treasury Dept.
Several New York Publi- cations Have Done So-- Considerable Speculation as to Intent of Law.

Washington, Oct. 24. --- The dss partment of justice served notice today that pending a careful exam- ination of the statutes and final ruling, newspapers which publish in- come tax returns will do so at their own risk.
 The departments announcement was made while Secretary Mellon and other ranking officials at the treasury were withholding any definite opinion. Revenue Comniss- sioner Blair, however, indicated that he regarded publication of the res turns as a violation of the law.
 Statement Is Issued
 Upon inquiry by Secretary Mellons this statement was issued by James M, Beck, acting attorney general Tn the absence of Attorney General Stone:
 Many inquiries have been re- ceived 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 proviss ions of the tax law passed in Hay last. in view of the provisions of section s1e7 of the revised statutes. which, if unrepsa1ed by the latter law, makes such publication erin inal offense.
 "officials of the department stats that a careful study of the two pro- visions will be made by the depart ment and due course. conciu1 sion reached as to whether such publication is permissible under the law as now amended.
 "In the meantime, the responsi< bility for such publications must rest with those who in any way publish the details of individual inS comes"
 Immediately after making this statement MT. Beck went to the treasury department for consultation with Commissioner Blair. who IS in direct charge of the collection of income taxes and other interested
 Gave No Ruling
 Tn a telegram last night 10 rev1 enue collectors, Commissioner blair asked them to call attention locally to that provision of the revised sta tutes making 1t unlawful to print or publish any income tax returns. He said today, however. that he had not intended by this language to express any opinion as to whether nubIication would be in fact a viola- tion of law, but only had desired 10 have all interested persons under stand what the law says on the 1 subject.
 The commissioner evaded all st- tempts to secure further construc@ ton of his telegram or dehnlte
 statement as to his own view.
 Meantime the office of the internal
 revenue solicitor began study or the law of its own accord. Some of the officials concerned expressed the view privately that . the question could be settled only by bringing a test case and throw ing the whole problem into the
 courts. In that case they sexpect the validity of the restraining sta" tute to be attacked on the ground that 1t violates the freedom of the press by making it illegal to pub
 fish undisputed facts which are ac- cessible to the public. . Warning Is Issued. New York, Oct. 24.-Frank K Bowers, collector of internal revenue
 for the second district, announced today that publication of income tax , returns was violation of the law
 and that violators were subject to
 nenalty of s1,000 fine or one year
 in prison or both. He said he could not state whether New York news
 papers which published partial hst' would be prosecuted.
 MT. Bowers made public tele'
 gram he received this morning from s David H. Blair commissioner of In . ternal revenue at Washington, which s read as follows:
 9 With reference mimeograph S24s a noes not authorize preparation soi I copies income tax lists by public. Tt g permit persons to prepare duplicate 3 lists of income taxpayers would seri' . ously obstruct efficient management t of your office.
 . Post conspicuously and call to the e attention of all who wish to examine
 income tax lists provision of s16l '. revised statutes, particularly thai e provision making 1t unlawful to prinl y or publish any income tax return oi
 any part thereof under penalty oi !, fine of sl.ooO or imprisonment oi d one year or both"
 n Mir. Bowers said that the list 0 would be given only to those Whs n could show good cause for obtaip'rs e them and that no list would be g4vsr a ont to curious peeaie who mereil