Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-29
Tax Cut VS.. Debt Reduction
Becomes Important Issue

There is much difference of opinion
among the newspapers of the country
over the suggestion made by Senator
simmons of North Carolina and taken
m by other public men as TO the
proper action in view OF the surplus
that has developed in the natloIai
revenue. The Senator calls for an
immediate tax reduction and condemns
the attempt to hasten the liquidation
OF the national debt. Charges OF
Dlaving politics are made by members
of both political parties, but as 10 tue
merits of the question, those VINO Up
pose the tax reduction hold that IL IS
advantageous to apply the surplus 10
the national debt.
"The minority enjoys a freedom
that is denied the administration and
the majority" suggests the Loulsvllle
Courier Journal Democratic). Ihe
minority is not responsible for Gov
eminent finances and it's members are
inhibited by no fear of the conse-
uuences from going their full length
in defense of the overburdened tax
payers. Yet that is one of the proper
functions of a vigilant minority. II
has a duty to perform in forcing the
majority, to the utmost extent OF us
power, to grant relief
X X x
1.-THE Democrats are not alone in
urging further reduction in taxes,
saws the Lynchburg Advance tDem-
ocratic) There are some Republicans
advocating a tax cut. though they are
doing so at the risk of losing their
influence at the White House. The
Democrats have been responsible tor
the great relief afforded the small tax
PAYERS in the past two years ana the
country must again look to the Dem
ocrats if the burden is to be further
relieved" The Charlotte Observer
Democratic contends that 1t is sig
nif1cant that Secretary Mellon declines
to commit himself to expression on
the particular point as to whether the
condition of the Treasury warrants
the proposed reduction, further than
to declare belief that it is not wise
to pare too closely. The administra-
ton leaders are characterizing the
Simmons move for tax reduction as
political play, and maybe 1T is that
very thing, to some extent, put II
seems to be creating popular expec-
tation, all the same"
"Both sides will play politics with
the situation" in the opinion or the
Hartford Times independent Demo
cratic), land since he stands to prof1t
in any event. the taxpayer can AFFORD
to view it with equanimity." AS to
the merits of the situation, the Times
states: 1.-THE fact seems to be that
there will be a considerable surplus.
Whether taxes should be cut further.
or whether this surplus should be ap-
piled to debt reduction which will re-
duce interest charges and in the long
run lower the overhead cost of gov
eminent, is a question which has two
sides and presents opportunity for a
diversity of opinion
X X X
THE demand for lower taxes and
the reduction of the prevailing high
living costs will play part in the
campaign now being Waged for con-
troll of Congress-" predicts the Green's
boro Daily Record DemOcratic), while
the Oklahoma City Times democrat
ic) declares that 1.-The last lowering of
the income tax rate, with additional
exemptions and the elimination OF GER
tain nuisance taxes, actually was little
or no reduction of actual revenue;