Evening star., 1924-01-21

Taxation retains the center OF the
editorial stage. The Mellon plan, the
democratic substitute, the informal
suggestions of financial interests, of
the National Chamber of Commerce
and Of a score OF other organizations
meet with q warmth of debate sell
dom afforded any subject in this
country. There is little doubt that
Congress will have its hands full sat-
isfying any one.
TAX reduction is not political"
slogans the ST. Louis Post Dispatch.
1T is the 100000 taxpayers who
are talking. 1t is vox populi on the
Job"
That can well be termed the CEN
trail thought OF all of the argument.
As the Grand Rapids Press continues
Senator Couzens and Secretary Mel
lon. that interesting pair OF demo
cratic piutocrats, have boiled their
dispute down 10 its only real issue.
Both declare they want to prevent
the rich from lodging taxation" The
Press further insists tho Treasury
figures definitely show that Couzens
Mellon plan will benefit" the r1ch.
Regardless OF the merits OF the demo-
cratic republican progressive dispute,
however, the Albany knickerbocker
Press insists prospects daily become
brighter for tax reduction as the peo-
pie are letting themselves be heard" "
a4 X u
There is a point beyond which tax
rates produce a diminishing return ''
the Springfield Union recalls in con-
tfnuing the analysis. "and there may
be a point at which they produce prao-
ticaiiy no return whatever" and the
Union feels this Is what Congress
must keep before 1t In determining
It's line of action. TO this the Chicago
Daily News adds that "a necessary
coroIlary to the equitable tax reduc-
ton measure the people expect Is a
carefully drafted amendment to the
Constitution 10 prevent further issue
of tax-exempt securtttes-aggrega gat-
about s12.30s, ,0o0, ,oo0-to prevent fur
Their issue of tag exempt securities.
federal, state and local. and thus re-
duce' the temptation to persons OF
wealth to escape taxation by unoue
diversion Of capital into channels
and pile UP public debts. Such an
amendment. has been approved by
the ways and means committee Of
the House and is certain of favorable
action by the Senate finance COM
mittee."
for existing difference Of opinion and
approving thorough discussion OF
them, the Bristol Herald Courier also
insists: "If Congress should fail TO
duction program. the people are com
petent to fix the responsibility ror
the failure on the party or faction TO
which 1t would belong" This is also
the view of the New York Times
which feels keen discussion before
the committee and on the floor Of
Congress is ali to the good. The
measure has got to be argued out
The most scientific plan will win Its
way sooner or later, and It's. oppo--
not be able to prevail against it. 1t
is agreed that the surtax is. too high.
The democrats propose to cut 1t down
from so to "a per cent. Some repub-
licans balk at Mr.: MELONS proposal
a compromise w Of 35 per cent. There
Is nothing to do but to thrash the
question out. No mans word Is to
be taken for 1t. We are in for a
great debate. II is to be welcomed
the people will have learned more
about taxation and about government
expenditure than they ever knew be-
ORE This view is indorsed by the
Topeka Capital, which also feels "the
|, way to escape from payment OF taxa
tion Is notoriously through the tax
sree securities. and the proper way
1ut Is for the government to abolish
tax exemption"
x y X y
In the opinion of the Des Moines
Register 1--WE should consider this
,attcr Of where to reduce taxes much
aore inteIligsntly II we come to II
on in merits and drop or those fic-