Evening star., 1932-04-02
Coolidge Advice on Taxation
Taken as Spur to Vigilance

Recent statements by former Presi-
, dent Calvin Coolidge on the accumu-
! lated results of excessive taxation are
interpreted by the public in the light of
his own economy slogan when serving
as Chief Executive. 1t Is widely be-
/ lieved that existing evils represent the
aftermath of heavy expenditures in Ma
| tional, State and local matters. The
remedy is viewed, however, as difficult
! to determine.
/ The one flaw in the Coolidge pre-
| sentiment in the opinion of the Akron
| Beacon Journal, lis that he makes no
specific rebuke of any ofncial, now or
in the past, responsible for the crash
| that riotous extravaganza has invited. |"
| The Beacon Journal advises that what
the Nation really needs is monitors who
will couple their warnings with action,
and who will fight rather than try to
babble their way out of existing trou-
bles" With the Interpretation that
there should be extensive and powerful
organization of the rank and file CT the
people to compel Congress and the varl-
Gus Legislatures and county and loccl
| governments to take su3h steps as will
make reduction of taxes possible, the
Fort WAYNE NeWS-Sentinel advises mat
1T is not at all easy to effect such re-
forms by the governments themselves in
the absence of strong support ana
strong insistence from the rank and
file" That paper concludes: Unless
the public is prepared really to do
something about high taxes, let them
cease railing and ranting, =.
"One Of the best of his sentences,
according to the Philadelphia Evening
Bulletin 'is this: To be safe and
Gound taxes have to be earned That
ought to be the first reader Of the
course of taxation. But a lot CT
people. even though they are taxpay-
ers do not seem to understand 1t.
| The Bulletin adds as to the Coolidge
ANALYSIS: And so the story of taxation
and its burden is brought home at va
rious points, emphasizing and re-
emphasizing the fact that everybody
pays the tax bill, and when that ag-
gregate gets beyond the limit of every
body,s or anybody's, earnings it takes
a chunk out of capital, which Is the
power that makes things go in pros
perity."
He raises the interesting question" f"
says the Oklahoma City Oklahoman,
whether majorities actually rule in the
United States and that paper con-
cludes 1T is a debatable question.
! If one accepts the word of Mr.. Coolidge
as final, he must conclude that minori-
ties instead of majorities rule. The
majority is unorganized ana rarely
vocal. Moreover, the majority Is in
different until pay day comes. It's
voice usually is one OF belated protest
after the mischief has been done. And
while the majority is silent. vig1lant
and active minorities are inducing the
Congress to lay upon the people a
burden of taxation which in days OF
depression becomes intolerabie. IN
cidentally, the expenses of State and
county and municipal governments are
increased in the same way
If there is one man in the country
who, by every right, is qualified to say
I tod you So that man Is Gavin
Coolidge" declares the Providence Bull
letin, with Endorsement for the thought;
Mr.. Coolidge knows that taxation, When
raised TO intolerable heights, is like an
incubus on industry, business ana
trade, sucking their initiative, laying
waste their capital, draining their re-
cuperative powers. He knows that
when industry, business and trade are
soaked the rich alone do not suffer;
the average workingman also pays the
penalty"
"As a people" comments the Boise,
Idaho, Statesman, I'VE are constantly
olHm0rirT for improvements We de-
msnd this and we deElani thai, alc'
,u--e a-e SO nlany gowing arguments
to be made on the desirability OF
new bridge or new road or a new
governmental department for the in
spection Of bees and countless other
things, that those who seek to resist
are shouted down with a chorus Of boos
and hisseaA and the oficeholder who