Evening star., 1925-09-16
ACCOUNTANT BODY
NAMES v. H. WEST
Institute Advocates Changes
in Tax L LaWs-Greeted
by Coolidge.

William II. West Of New York City
was elected president of the American
Institute of Accountants at this
mornings session of the convention
at the Washington Hotel.
He has been an accountant for the
past % years and is regarded as one
of the deans of the institute. In ac-
ceptinS the Office, Mr.. West pledged
himself to carry on the work Of the
institute along the lines that have
been laid out by his predecessors and
to do all in his power to strengthen
the organization.
John F. Forbes of San Francisco
and Frederick A. Ross of New York
City were elected vice presidents.
Arthur w. Teele of New York City
was elected treasurer. and the new
auditors are r. ]. Bennett Of Phila-
delphia and William P. Brickett Of
New York City.
Those elected as five-year members
of the council are: Arthur II. Carter,
New York City; Henry c. Magee,
Philadelphia; John B. Niven. Mont
clair, n. j.; Waldron II. Rand. Boston;
Ernest Reckitt, Chicago; Ernest A.
Roden, Cincinnati. and c. r. Whit
worth of Chicago. Stanley G. H.
Fitch of Boston was elected for four
years on the council. All officers were
elected unanimously.
The report Of the committee on pub
lie affairs was read. The object of
this committee is to enlighten busi-
ness men and the public generally on
fraudulent practice by business out
laws.
The most noteworthy work Of the
publication of its letter-bulletin on
Credit Frauds" A letter from Sec
retary Of the Treasury Mellon indors-
ing the publication said: Your CO.
operation in the general movement to
expose and check credit frauds is
highly commendable and constitutes a
real public service. This particular
bulletin Is highly creditable one and
should be given wide circulation"
Approximately 100. 900 copies Of the
bulletin on Credit Frauds" have been
distributed.
Another letter-bulletin Is on Fed.
eral Tax Simplifcation," advocating
many changes in the present tax sys-
tenn. These suggested changes were
indorsed by the convention and are
set forth later.
Another letter-bulletin deals with
THE Crime Tendency" This is de-
voted to hte worke of reduction of
business crime.
Tax Changes Advocated.
In an effort to clear up the atmos.
phere surrounding Federal tax laws,
the members yesterday passed resolu.
tions calling for drastic changes In
some of the tax laws and the repeal
of others. The major changes are:
Repeal Of the tax on capital stock
of corporations.
Elimination of the tax on gifts and
liberalization of the law governing
gifts.
Repeal of the tax on estates of
deceased persons.
The placing of inheritance taxation
in the hands of the States.
Acceptance of tax returns by the
commissioner of internal revenue
when they have been approved by
accountants admitted to practice be-
fore the Treasury Department.
Placing the burden of proof in
regard to deficient tax returns on the
commissioner of internal revenue in
stead of on the appellant. on the
grounds that the present method is
contrary to all usages of the courts.
The institute will seek the aid of
other trade organizations and cham.
bers of commerce in carrying out
these reforms.
The report of the retiring president.
John B. Niven of New York City,
commended the steady growth of the
institute, stating that the membership
is now 1909.
The delegates were received by
President Coolidge at 1890 today, and
at 2:30 j. Harry Covington, former
District Of Columbia Supreme Court
justice and counsel of the institute
was to address them on THE Law of
Evidence"
The convention will close tonight
with a dance and banquet at the
Washington Hotel.