The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-07-07
MONDELL GIVES
FIGURES ON
TAXES
Doubts Possibility of Great
Reduction in Cost of Gov
eminent Now
Bv RICHARD HAToN.

Some interesting and important
figures in connection with the tax
situa ton in this country were made
public today by F. w. Mondell. OF
the War Finance Corporation, who
is at present giving a great deal
Of time and attention to the matter
of bringing about d reduction of
taxes. In general Mr.. Mondell be-
lieves that there is considerable
doubt regarding the possibility OF
very considerable further reduction
IL the total cost of government, so
long AS we must meet the enormous
expenditures resulting from our par
ticipation in the war.
While paving a high tribute to
the efforts of President Coolidge and
OF the last Congress looking toward
economies in Government eXpendi.
lures, Mr.. Mondell is of the opinion
that continued and considerable re.
lief all along the line can be secu ed
only by increasing the number OF
contributors TO Government revenue
from income. taxes. It is realized
that the. country Is not disposed
to bring about the required increase
by. levies upon small incomes arp
Mr.. Mondell maintains that the way
to accomplish the desired result Is
by bringing the surfaces down to
point at which large fortunes will
enter Upon and remain in the tax
able field.
Cites Treasury Records.
Treasury records says Mr..
Mondeil. afford convincing evil
dence Of the decrease of large tax
able incomes reported as compared
with the total. In 1915, under
maximum surtax Of Is per cent
over constituted 2947 of all income
returns. In 1917, under an Increase
of the maximum surtax to so Ter
cent, the same class of returns
were but 11.77 per cent of the total.
In 1918, under a maximum surtax
of IS per cent, the returns from
these same classes constituted but
6.22 per cent; and In 1921, they
had dwindled to 2.37 per cent Of
I'm 1928. when the maximum
surtax had been reduced to %
per cent. there was slight in
crease in the percentage of the
larger incomes reported" says Mr..
Mondell, but, even then, the re-
turns of incomes of 100000 and
over constituted but BAT per cens
of the total reported" In con-
sidering very large incomes, MIR
Mondell finds the figures are even
more eloquent, for he asserts that.
'in 1916, returns OF reported
incomes Of from $500, 900 to $780,
900 were only 4.S2 per cent of the
total" and that in 1923, they were
but AT per cent of the total, or
approximately one-tenth of the
percentage of 1916"
In 1916, Mr.. Mondell finds the
returns OF incomes of 100000 and
over constituted 11.45 per cent of
all returns while in 1923 they were
but "a per cent of the total re
turns, or less than one-twelfth of
the. percentage of 1916.
Comparisons Striking.
In the matter of percentages OF
taxes actually paid Mr.. Mondell
asserts the comparisons are even
more striking and he presents tie
following figures to prove his con-
tention. In 1916, all incomes In
excess OF 100000 paid 1911 per
cent Of the total income taxes. In
1913. 41.65 per cent, and in 1929.
but 1894 per cent. In 1916 he
finds incomes from 100000 to
$500, 900 paid 1925 per cent of the
total income taxes; in 1918, 7.o2
per cent, and in 1928, but $50 per
cent. In 1916, the incomes of
$500. 900 and over paid 41.75 per
cent; in 1913, 14.7 per cent, and
1928, but 81 per cent
1--WE all know" declares Mr.. Mon.
dell, that large incomes in the
United States have not diminished
two-thirds since 1916, either in
numbers or amounts On the con-
trary, they have undoubtedly, great
ly increased, with the vastly in
creasing wealth of the country.
and there can be no other explana-
ton for the progressive reduction
In the sum of very large incomes