Evening star., 1930-12-09

as compared with political powers OF
the District of Columbia and of the
States was deplored last night by Rep
resentative James M: Beck of Pennsyl-
vania and Theodore w. Noyes, presi-
dent Of the Association Of Oldest In
habitantS.
Speaking at the annual banquet OF
the association, at the Raleigh Hotel,
Representative Beck took issue with
Senator Borah'S proposal to increase
taxes on the higher brackets, charging
that this would lay heaviest burdens on
the few States already bearing the
large burden of Federal taxation. He
warned that continued imposition OF
such taxes without a more equitable
distribution among the population was
in violation of the basic principle of
the American Government, and might
lead some day to serious internal dis
order" He charged that Senator Bo-
rah's State of Idaho was paying only
about one-five-thousandth of the Fed
eral taxes.
Mr. Beck emphasized that he favored
in principle an income tax. But he de-
clared that big increases on the higher
brackets would further disturb the theo-
retical balance which the founding
fathers of the country attempted to
strike between the political power and
taxation
The voteless plight of the District of
Columbia, paying more Federal taxes
than each Of 25 States and more than
the total taxes of 10 States combined,
was stressed by Mr.. Moves.
His purpose in presenting the figures,
Mr.. Noyes said, was not to discredit
small contributors to the National
Treasury. but Ito convince the Repre-
sentatives of small contributing con-
stituencies in the States that they
should not berate their National Capt.
tai constituents, whose legislative inter-
ests are intrusted to their care by the
Constitution"
Inequalities Of Taxation.
Representative Beck in opening his
discussion of taxation pronounced Mr..
NoyeS' annual address as president of
TIE association as very remarkable, J"
and declared his figures "far exceeded
anything had expected" The Penn
sylvania Representative asked for Mr..
NoyeS' address to read 1t into the Con-
greSsional Record.
He asserted that Mr.. Noyes' con-
tentions comprised part Of q larger
problem which might some day lead to
serious consequences"
Referring back to the. principles in
corporated into the American Govern
ment by its founders, Mr.. Beck stated
that q few patriotic States had paid
for the Revolutionary War while others
refused to pay or had paid but a
trifing amount. These latter States
nevertheless benefited from the Revo-
luton, he explained, and there nat
urally arose very acute feeling" be-
tween the two groups Of States. Two
great purposes Of the Constitutional
Convention, he stated, were to take
away the powers Of the individual States
in interstate commerce in order to eS-
tablish freedom of trade, and, second,
to establish a system whereby the
States should contribute in an equit-
able degree to the new central govern
ment. There was much debate over
this, he said, and finally the provision
thorizing direct taxes and representa-
ton to be apportioned among the
States on the basis of population.
Adoption of the income tax, he pointed
out. eliminated the rule Of apportion-
ment which would fairly distribute the
burdens of government and fairly equal
ize the privileges OF exercising political
power with the power Of raising money.
Borah's Statement Recalled.
The three States Of New York, Penn
sylvania and Illinois pay more than
half of the whole total Of direct taxes,
including the income tax and nniscel-
laneous taxes, Mr.. Beck pointed out.
Recalling the recent statement of
Senator Borah, who Is in favor Of an
increase in income taxes, especially in
the higher brackets, to meet a threat
ened deficit in the Federal Treasury,
Mr.. Beck said he looked up the taxes
paid by Mr.. Borah's State Of Idaho and
found them to be "only $3.50, 900" for
one fiscal year, or only one-forty-five
contributed.
"One Of these days." said Mr.. Beck,
the American people will get onto It,"
The speaker charged that most Of
the people today had moving picture
brain," filled with sports, foot bali, NOV
ing pictures and such q multitude of
interests that they had "lost the facul-
ty Of continuous thinking" But he
thought some day they would awaken
to the question he had under discus
sion. New York pays about one-third,
and Idaho pays about orle-five thou
sandth," said Mr.. Beck.
Premium on Extravagance.
The people are not aware of 1t. It
puts premium on gross extravagance,"
ne charged. why should the States
which donate SO little care when the
Federal Treasury is to pay $500 900 900
Ior some relief? 1t not only promises
an extravaganza, but you have brought
into the country a cause of dissension
which may lead to q very serious in
ternal disorder.
The income tax ought To he an
equitable tax" he declared with some
emphasis, nor ought it oppress q few