Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-01
BINGHAM DECLARES
TAX BOOST NEEDED.
Radio Forum Speaker Says
Higher Revenue and Lower
Expenses Necessary.

Declaring that this country has been
on a grand spree" Senator Hiram
Bingham of Connecticut, speaking last
night over the National Radio Forum,
warned that expenditures must be re-
duced and taxes raised if 1.-The burden
of the next generation is not to be made
heavier than it can bear" Senator
Bingham is member of the Senate
Appropriations Committee.
Senator Bingham's Forum address,
arranged by The Star, was broadcast
over the coast-to-coast network Of the
Columbia Broadcasting System, and
heard locally over Station WMAL.
I'VE have been increasing our public
expenditures twice as fast as we have
been increasing our national wealth and
our national income" Senator Bingham
said, and now we have got to take some
bitter medicine. The sooner we realize
that public expenditures must be radi-
cally reduced, that some unpleasant
taxes must be restored and the burden
of the next generation must not be
made heavier than it can bear, the
sooner will We see return to the days
u Sell ICSpSCt anu AidPPAAACSo'
Suggests New Taxes.
Senator Bingham was outspoken In
his criticism of suggestions that the Sit
uation be met by raising taxes on large
incomes. Such step, he said. would
result only in more money being in
vested in tax-exempt securities.
A selective sales tax on such things
as automobiles and radios and modi-
fication of the Volstead act to permit
the sale and taxation of good per
cent beer" were suggested by the speak
er as two possible means OF increasing
revenue.
THE increased cost of Federal, State
and municipal government is simply
appalling" he continued. In 1913 the
Federal Government was costing about
81 annually for every person in the
United States Within the past few
wears that cost has risen to some $33.
That increase is due chiefly TO the cost
of the war But State governments are
now spending more than five times as
much as in 1913. Local governments,
municipalities and cities are spending
about four times as much. That is not
due to the war. but to extravaganza.
ITO every one Of us the rising cost
of Government is matter of serious
concern Incidentally the increasing
burden of taxation resulting from the
rising scale of Government expenditures
is undoubtedly one Of the most serious
handicaps to industry in its present
efforts to overcome depression and re-
store prosperity"
Admitting the difficulty of govern
mental retrenchment, Senator Bingham
nevertheless urged its necessity at this
time.
Nearly every one" he said, likes
to see the Government spend money
on beautiful roads. magnificent Federal
buildings. in helping farmers who have
been distressed by drought and low
prices, in giving pensions and COM
pensation to the veterans of our wars
and in maintaining the dignity of our
country by promptly meeting our obli-
cations. whether they consist of salaries
to Government employees or interest on
the public debt. But these things cost
a great deal of money. The interest
on the public debt and the payments
to the veterans constitute more than
50 200 600. 900. or more than half Of
our total Federal expenditures.
Must Increase Revenue.
There are projects being urged upon
us. through widespread propaganda and
considerable public interest, which
would call for the raising within the
next IL months. in addition TO our nor
NAL expenditures. of a sum not far
from $4,000 900 900.
Where is all this money coming
from? Suppose. as has been suggested,
it can be borrowed At per cent, the
interest cost would be more than a
million dollars a day We are already
running behind to the tune of about
SO 600 600 a day and the adoption Of
these proposals would simply increase
our deficit by another $1,000, 900 daily.
Where is it going to stop? How
are We going TO stop it?
There is but one answer, he said
reduce expenditures and increase
revenue.
Senator Bingham closed his address
with an appeal TO the people not 20
lose faith in their country.
LET us face the facts like men" he
said. mot trying to blame some one else
for our faults but looking squarely at
the problem which is before US. Let
us have faith in America