Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1930-12-18
SALES TAXA NUISANCE

A sales tax is a nuisance tax and is
a discriminatory tax to the vast ma
iority of conSumerS-a tax IN Wnlcn
the consumer in the final analysis
pays the bill-the group which Is al
ready taxed too much as class. rms
type of legislation no doubt will have
the backing of the group which is OPP
posed to a real functioning income
tax which very likely is the most
scientific tax being levied by the
federal government and in Il individ-
ual states out over America.
The sales tax is retroactive, bears
no relation to profits, burdens unduly
the merchant doing a large volume OF
business on a small margin of profit
and it applies equally to gross re-
ceipts yielding loss or profit
Experience shows that cost OF col
lecting this tax is excessively high,
amounting to SO up to 1870 OF the
receipts in the state of Pennsylvania
where it has been unsatisfactory
levied for some years.
1t handicaps the merchant in
state which has this tax, driving bust
ness from the state to states not hav-
ing such laws.
During the month of August, 1900
retail merchants in Phlladelphla
alone were charged with delinquency
i'm making returns, forcing them tc
pay brand of nuisance and burden
tax.
Sales tax as a source of federal in
come has been advocated for many
years, by such men as Senator Smoo
who in his legislative career has gen
orally been found fighting the battle
of the special privilege groups in
America He is one of the author:
of the Hawley-Smoot tariff law, the
worst tariff bill ever passed in thu
history of tariff legislation. Sales
tax legislation has been opposed b.
the great progressive leaders in thu
past. Such men as Senators Norris o
Nebraska, LaFollette of Wisconsin
Shipstead of Minnesota. and man,
others of their type are not found ad
vocating it. They are never found il
groups advocating Legislation putting
heavier tax burdens on the alread
too highly taxed farmers and workers
J. S. Jones, secretary of the Mime
sofa Farm Bureau Federation. VIII
has given considerable study to tn
tax problem, especially as regards tn
agricultural population, says that tn
sales tax is not a new idea. 1t wa
employed and used by some countrie
centuries ago, and that its history ha
not been very encouraging. Revenu
accruing from this tax must be pal
by either the producer or consume
as is being done in the general PROF
erty tax.
State income tax laws now in effeC
in 81 states and being given consider
alton in another large group of state
regarded as the most equitable forI
of tax yet devised, measures the ind
vidual's ability to pay, is tax o
cash income rather than from proper
ty and reaches large number VIII
are not paying taxes on property, bl
who receive benefits from the govern
ment as do the many other either
that are real estate and person;
property taxpayers.
A sales tax will penalize the col
sumner OF the product the tax is levie
on-the majority of citizens of T.
state. 1t will react to the disa,
vantage of probably 95fo of the cit
zens of Minnesota. 1t is very cas-
to understand the forces favorable
this type of tax levy.
Sales tax is wrong in principle, III
just. and unscientitic-a tax on Il
great mass of population which
already too heavily tax-burdened
either direct or indirect methods
taxation.
Sales taxes increase the cost
merchandise to the consumer, di
courages buying, and in times OF d
preston such as We are now passil
through, il is much less a good tin
for the state to levy a direct tax
merchandise used by the majority
its citizens.
Governor-elect Floyd B. Disc
whose record as county attorney
Hennepin county made such fave
able impression on the voters Of Z
state. that they elected him to {
office of governor although a memb
of a minority party. by a majority
1S3.626 votes, called by Senator Jol
Hougen, who was Republican cane