Evening star., 1925-10-20


rious orga MIA tions of citizens on many
disputed features Of the tax legisla-
ton that is to he presented AT the next
aession Of Congress.
The National Association of Manu-
tacturers the Retailers National Coun-
Gil. the Texas Tax Clubs. the New
York Board of Trade, and the Real
Estate Board of New York. all We're
allotted time to present hteir views AT
todays committee session.
Passing over for the moment Secre-
tsry Melons suggestion for reduc-
tion of income axes All along the line.
the committeeman first heard repre-
sentatives of the Texas Tax Clubs in
dorse the Secretary's proposal for re-
peal of the Federal inheritan nee or
estate tax.
Hits Inheritance Tax.
Speaking for a delega tion of IS. Lee
Satterwhite Of Amarillo. speaker OF
the Texas House, said the State Of
Texas felt 1t should have sole juris-
diction over inheritance taxes within
its borders. Texas not only needs
that. but the present Federal inheri,
tsnce levy is proving almost confis-
catory.
After several other members Of the
delegation had made similar state
nlents, Representative Garner Of
Texas. ranking Democrat on the COM
nittee, said he never had heard OF
the Texas Tax Club until the delega
ton came 10 Washington. and asked
several questions as to its purposes:
Representative Garner introduced
the delegation. lauding its purpose.
though declaring he was not in entire
accord with it's views
Frank kell. one Of the Texans pres
ent. said he had contributed $500
To the club in the interest of good
business"
If the Federal duty was repea led.
Mr.. Satterwhite said. he did not be-
lieve the State tax would he in
creased.
R. A Stuart. State Senator from
the twenty eighth district. argued
the Government had no right to enter
the State and take large portions of
It's estates
The delegation also included Judge
Earl Scott, Jourda nton: p. A. Pres
nall. Alice: w. W. Jones. Corpus
Christi: Hal Mangum. San Antonio
Frank ken. Wichita Falls: William
Cameron. Waco: \. T. Clifton. Waco;
A. Y. Baker, Edinburgh; Henry Edds
Hebronville; Archie Parr. San Diego;
Dayton Moses. Fort Worth George
NJ. Craig, Port Arthur: Leon Shield.
Coleman; Al McFaddin Victoria, and
r. J. kelberg, jr.. and Ida NJ. Darden,
Fort Worth
II States We're left alone on this
tax States would automa tically he
forced TO enact more or less uniform
estate taxes. Iu/ge Earl Scott Of
Jourdanton declared.
Other speakers appearing before
the committee included William Cam
eron OF Waco. George NJ. Craig Of
Port Arthur and Frank Kell OF
Wichita Falls.
Represents Many Interests.
The delega ton represented bankers,
eattlemen, railroad men. lumber in
terests and other producing interests
Of the State. 1t was stated by George
H. Colvin of Fort Worth. chairma n.
Upon leaving the committee room the
delegation went to the White House,
where il was received BY President
Coolidge.
Opposing the 20 per cent surtax pro.
posal of Secretary Mellon. H. W. Peck
associate professor of economics at
Syracuse University. said high surtax
rates should be maintained. even up
to so per cent, and greater cuts made
on the lower income rates. He also
favored retention of the estate tax.
Edward P. Doyle. speaking for the
Real Estate Board of New York.
urged reduction OF the ma ximum sur
tax rate TO 12t7 per cent.
Results oi high surfaces are evil"
he said. They are particularly evil
to the real estate business High in
come rates discourage land and hous-
ing developments by taking too large
share of the profitS"
Present rates have driven capital
into tax-eXempt securities. he sal
thus encouraging dangerous extrava-
gance by State and municipal govern
ments."
A comprehensive program Of reduc-
tion and reform following generally
the proposals of Secretary Mellon was
presented by James a. Emery for the
National Association Of manufacture
ers.
Urges Surtax Cut
The association recommended reduc-
tion Of the maximum surtax to 90 per
cent. repeal of the estate and gift
taxes and the publicity of income tax
returns and reduction of the excise
and so-called nuisa nee levies.
1t also proposed that the full mem
herhs',, of the board of tax appeals he
retail q: that income of employees OF
Ams< can business forced to reside in
foreign countries he exempted and
that restrictions imposed on manage
ment Of Army and Navy plants he
repealed.
The associations committee on taxa
ton. headed by w. H. Afford Of Ke-
nosha, Wis, was present.