The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-11-09
Big Rabbits Back
Plan to Stop Tax
On InfleritanCGS

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8.-Admis-
sion that the activities of the Ma
tional Council of State Legislatures,
which brought delegation of more
than 200 persons to Washington to-
day to demand repeal of the federal
inheritance tax, were financed by the
American Taxpayers League, a pri-
vate organization, was made before
the House Ways and Means Com
mittee this afternoon.
William H. Blodgett, State Tax
Commissioner of Connecticut, called
as witness at the hearing, made the
admission.
The Taxpayers League, Blodgett
said, sent out letters soliciting $40
contributions from numerous indi-
viduals to support it's activities.
Blodgett's admission came after
Governor A. G. Scribe, of North Da-
kota, had asked the members of the
Ways and Means Committee to adj
wise him as to whether he should ac-
cept money for his expenses incurred
in making the trip to Washington,
from the National Council of State
Legislatures.
WASHINGTON, Nov. S.-Who is
paying the expenses of the governors,
lieutenant governors, state senators
and other state officials who are now
descending in droves upon the ma
tional capital to demand the repeal of
the federal inheritance tax?
That question was asked of Gov.
Fred w. Green of Michigan, when
Green appeared before the ways and
means committee of the House and
asked that the federal government
get out of the inheritance tax field.
Green's lobby is conducting
three-day rally known as the Natl.
Council of State legislatures, but
which includes spokesman for cham
bers of commerce, bankers associa-
tons, and various other business
groups, in addition to officeholders
in the various states.
Gov. Small On 1t.
Lee Satterwhite, former speaker of
the Texas legislature, is chairman of
this so-called Council of State Legis-
latures, which was formed, he claims.
in response to call by the legisla-
ture of Texas. Thos. A. Hill of Ar
kansas is secretary-treasurer, Phil.
A. Bennett of Missouri is vice-chair-
man, and VIM. H. Blodgett of Con-
necticut and Gilbert Morgan of Ohio
are the other members of it's execu-
tive committee. 1t issued advance
press material, emphasizing its prize
exhibits as Governor Small of IIli-
nois, Green of Michigan, Erickson of
Montana, Trumbull of Connecticut.
Soriie of North Dakota, Richards of
South Carolina and Robinson of Della
ware.
Members of the ways and means
committee of the House, called atten-
ton to the probability that if federal
taxation of inheritances were repeal
ed, the states would begin to compete
with each other in showing favors to
the very rich. Florida, Rainey said.
has 1900 millionaires residing within
her borders, as consequence of her
guaranty that she will not tax inher-
itances.
Mellon and Cal for 1t.
Secretary Mellon and President
Coolidge favor the repeal of the fed
eral tax on inheritances, but do not
expect to accomplish the repeal in
the coming session. The lobby has
been over-zealous in it's campaign,
and suspicion will rest upon all eff
forts of Republican or Democratic
members of the House or Senate who
become active in favor of the repeal
scheme.
Gov Green testified mainly in favor
of repeal of the automobile sales tax,
which Mellon declared last week was
tax that should be retained. The
Automobile Chamber of Commerce,
which represents the manufacturers,
insists that the automobile is a ne
cessity, not semi-luxury as claimed
by Mellon. 1t denounces the tax as
ian unfair and discriminatory" one.
It's lobby is issuing statements to the
press, from an office established in
the capital.
Hail Hundred Thousand