The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1926-05-20
BITTER CONDEMNATION OF
FEDERAL INHERITANCE TAX
STATE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE GIVES
OUTLINE OF ARTICLE
PUBLISHED

JACKSONVILLE, May 90
Probably the most bitter editorial
condemnation of the Federal In
heritance tax with its 80 per cent
rebate provision, yet written ap-
pears in the current issue of the
Manufacturers Record, of Balti-
more, under the title "Con-
gressional Blackmailing Of Some
States" says the Florida State
Chamber Of Commerce. The edi-
torial is based on one along SINH
lar lines which appeared recently
in the Wall Street Journal.
~The action of Congress in this
respect was probably the most
eommunistic or bolshevistic move
ment which ever succeeded in get
ting through the House and SEN
ate" says the Record. "It is
about the rankest, rottenest piece
Of legislation which has disgraced
the United States Congress for
many long day-possibly during
its entire history. 1t is a piece
of legislation unparalleled in that
It was simply deliberate attempt,
rs the Wall Street Journal puts
1t. to bIackmail states that do not
have an Inheritance tax. It was
done by the representatives of
states who saw an opportunity Of
looting the United States Treasury.
or else Of aiding in an act OF high
waymen and putting the Con-
gressmen who voted for this bill
IN the role Of highwaylnsn 1t is
destructive Of states' rights. de-
structive Of moral integrity bv
Congress. destructive of the small
amount Of faith which American
people yet have in the honesty of
legislative work."
No Necessity
There was no necessity for an in
heritance tax, the Record con-
tinues. Possibly it was aimed
directly at Florida. and yet the
development of Florida has been
the outstanding fact in America &
material development, has been Of
immeasurable value to the whole
South by drawing the nations at
ttntion to the whole Of this sec
tion, and has likewise been of great
value to the entire country be-
cause the upbuilding Of Florida
created an immense demand for
almost every line OF manufactured
products made in every part Of
this country.
"If it was spite work against
Florida il indicated low degree
Of intelligence and moral stand
ing Of those who voted for ii. If
il was based on desire to COM
pletely destroy states rights and
directly and indirectly dominate
state legislation il was blow at
constitutional government which
may some day come home to roost
in the destruction of states
rights.
IF Congress had no greater
sense Of moral responsibility in
legislation than to pass such a
bin. how can anyone in this coun-
try trust Congress in any other
matter pertaining to the welfare
Of individual states?n
The Record thinks little of
Southern congressman who voted
Tor the measure.
Every Southern Representative
who voted for this bin ought to
hang his head in shame for having
betrayed that for which he has
stood in the past and for having
tried 10 stab in the back, in a
most diaholical way. the one state
in the South which by its con-
scrvativc legislation has led the
nation in that respect, and which
by lis material upbuiIding has
created a nationwide interest in
the South.
"In itself Florida has been the
greateSt advertisement the South
MS whole has ever had. II has
been the greatest stimulating ex-
ample Of what can be done BY the
spirit of legislative conservatism
and tirelesS energy and hroadmind-
Cd vision which have been display
cd by the people Of Florida. The
Wall Street Journal Is not too
strong when il says that the moral
depravity' of the act discussed
admits of no argument'r