Imperial Valley press., 1925-09-01
MAKE PUBLIC TODAY INCOME TAX
PAYMENTS OF 100000 in u. S.:
HIGH COURT UPHOLDS PUBLICATION

out the country.
In accordance with the publicity
clause congress inserted in the last
tax bill. the books of the govern
ment were opened to public inspec-
ton for the second time and will
remain open throughout the month
of September.
The available figures enable any
one to compute the income of every
payer of income taxes with close ap
proximation.
The confusion which marked first
publication of tax lists last year was
prevented this year by careful work
ing out of a system following the
decision of the United States su-
preme court holding that newspap-
ers have the right TO print the lists.
Lists Prepared
The bureau has been working for
weeks preparing full lists giving the
name of each taxpayer and the
amount declared by each one to be
due the government for income earn
ed during 1924. These figures are
subject to adjustment and revisions
by subsequent audit of the returns
or by the filing of amended returns
by the taxpayer.
The lists will be open during Of
flee hours at each internal revenue
headquarters every working day un-
til the end of the month and there
AFTER three days each week, three
hours Il day.
The tax publicity scheme origi-
mated in congress curing eonsidcra-
ton of the tax bill of 1874. y com
promise arrangement was worked
out by the senate and the house
whereby only total amounts of
taxes paid should be made public,
and that the details of the return
should remain secret.
Supreme Court Decision
Without warning the internal rev
cnuc bureau ordered the lists open
for inspection last year and wnen
newspapers began to print them, the
bureau issued Il statement that the
law did not permit publication OF
the lists which would be violation
of an old statute. y divergence of
opinions arose among government
officials and finally indictments
were found against the Baltimore
Post, Scripps- Howard newspaper
and the Kansas City journal Post to
test the validity OF publication. The
supreme court IN a decision several
months ago ruled that the papers
were fully within their legal rights
in publishing the tax payments.
treasury officials are strong
against the publicity plan and AN
erfort will be made TO Kill that see
tion of the law when the new tax
bill is written III the coming Decem-
Der session of congress.
The way congress lines up now
though indicates that the efforts
Of tine treasury officials will be to
no avail.
Mellon Opposes
Secretary Mellon believes that
publication of the lists results detri-
mentally to business in that it re-
Neals what hitherto has been con
sidered business secrets Competing
obtained, for their own benefit. he
argues.
Senator Norris, Nebraska Rcpub.
hcan, on the other hand contends
that publication is good for the
government and does not hurt the
legitimate tax payer who files an
honest return. He believes that the
publication will result in the gov.
ernmcnt collecting more taxes in
the end. Norris originated the pre-
sent law and intends to attempt
to broaden its scope in the new bill.
lie believes that full publicity
should be given all tax matters and
that the entire return ought to be
open for public inspection as we'll as
the amount paid.
Bccmcn of Riverside and San Bcr.