Evening star., 1930-06-26

Louis Globe e-Democrat, adding: 'It IL
obvious that this measure would place
the daily newspapers of Louisiana, or
those that could survive such o tax,
under the control of the officials Of the
state and local governments. 1t Is
special tax, levied only upon daily
newspapers, and is plainly intended 10
cause their destruction or their subjec::
ton to political authority. There could
be no freedom of the press under such
q law. That the Louisiana Legislature
will give serious consideration 10 such
vicious proposal is hardly conceiva-
BILE" The Buffalo Evening News ad-
vises, IF the citizens Of Louisiana
have any regard for a free press they
will demand the defeat of the iniquitous
measure" The Youngstown Vindicator
contends that there is nothing to be
gained by cutting off the nose to spite
the face" and the Bangor Commercial
Is skeptical as to legislative action.
GOV. Long once almost succeeded
in driving oil companies out of bua-
ness in that State" recalls the New
York Sun, "by means of a proposed
occupational tax, relatively much less
severe than the tax now proposed for
newspapers. One session Of the Legis-
lature refused to do his bidding and
adjourned; Immediately he convoked
year ago that he finally made pledge
not TO push the project" The Sun
continues, "Once a State admits the
principle that a public official or any
set OF public officials may impose punt
tive taxation upon the press because
of criticism or opposition, that State
has delivered itself over to the mercy
of any oppressor who may manage TO
win an election"
na
unconstitutional, assuming that the
Louisiana constitution forbids class
legislation" Objection to the measure
on the ground that it applies to only
one business is voiced by the Utica
Observer Dispatch, the Albany Eve
ming News and the New Bedford Stand
ard. The Albany paper also points
OUT, Newspapers, through their pub
licity on public affairs. serve as
forceful check against disagreement.
They are in sense public institutions,
servants of the people" The Utica
paper, in condemning the proposed
action, suggests that, instead of levying
on gross earnings, "l5 per cent of their
net might not be so bad"
"An insult to the press of the entire
country" is seen by the Rock Island
Argus. while the Syracuse Herald con-
demns 3 foul blow at the integrity
and vitality of the press in an Ameri-
ton Daily Mail argues, 1.-The progress
Of the country and the preservation c;
the rights and liberties of the peopk
have been based on q free and untram.
meled press" The Birmingham New
offers the judgment, 1T is deliberate
attack on the very life of the daily
press, II this amazing bill should be-
H.
courts" The Oklahoma City Okla
homan views 1t as IAN inexcusable as
sault upon one of the most vital forces
of human society,"" as we'll as CON.
fiscatory in character to an outrageous
degree" The Atlanta Constitutios
brands it as AN unprecedented assavS
upon the peoples press"
Gov. Long is treading on dangerous
ground" in the opinion of the Little
Rock Arkansas Democrat, when he ti!se
to silence the press with a taS
bludgeon. Wiser men have tried 1t,
and among them all not one remains
whose name can be found written high
upon the roll of leaders enjoying public
respect"
"A new daily publication" records
the New York Evening Post, would
ness il had not obtained. The bill.
reads, :" and as to new busi-
nesses, the license shall be computed
on the basis of an estimate of the
amount OF receipts for the current
year. This must be the first time in
history that a tax has been levied on
prospects. But the details of this
precious piece Of legislation are of sec
ondary interest. The main thing about
1t is that. instead of being designed
TO benefit the public, it is intended to
punish that part of the public which
is most active in exercising the most
important function of democratic gav-
rnment--discussion Of public men d
public measures" M