Evening star., 1932-08-10
Economy League Welcomed
In Battle for Reduced Taxes

Previous lack Of organized effort to
enforce the desires CT a majority OF
American citizens causes the public to
view the new National Economy League
as a force which is likely to have a
unique place in American public life.
There is a belief that organized
minorities have had great influence on
Federal expenditures because Of in
adequate opposition, The new organiza-
ton is welcomed because 1t has the in
dorsement of the leaders of both major
parties Special attention Is given 70
payments to World War veterans where
there is no evidence Of disability due IL
service Emphasis Is placed upon the
fact that the league is Endorsed by Pres
ident Hoover and Gov. Roosevelt and
that it has on its advisory council Cal
win Coolidge, Alfred e. Smith. Elihu
Root, Newton D. Baker, Gen. Pershing
and Admiral Sims, while 1t Is headed by
Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd.
"Congressmen who vote extravagances
because of reluctance to offend small
group Of voters" declares the Spring
field Union, may find their moral cour-
age bolstered by the possibility OF losing
the support at the polls Of many more
millions Of taxpayers votes than can be
mustered by persistent groups CT Treas
ury raiders" The names of the leaders
Of the league, in the opinion OF the
Louisville Courier Journal. should be
sufficient evidence that its intentions are
praiseworthy and its charges well
founded" That paper also states: 'The
campaign cannot succeed unless the CO.
operation of Congress is enlisted. The
only way that any impression can be
made on Congressmen is through pop
ular pressure. No Congressman who
voted for the bonus graft, shortly before
the recent adjournment. deserves re-
election" The New Orleans Times
Picayune advises: This war against
waste in government must be followed
through and fought to a successful fin
ish, even though it takes longer than
scme of its supporters expect. Enlist
ments for the duration of the war,
therefore, are being urged alike in ma
tional, State, county and local crganiza-
tions for governmental economy and
tax relief"
I'VE have been tco tolerant" thinks
the Philadelphia Inquirer, "of move
ments of all kinds-movements which
SoCui dilQIulS ChOueI4, puI WHICH, Cdtl
big appropriations and end by bring
ing about increases In taxation in city,
State and Nation. How can legisla-
tors be blamed while the public sits
by and permits all sorts of pressure
to be brought upon off1cials who are
only human? If they are fooled into
believing that the great mass of the
people favor a certain appropriation.
they are likely to vote for 1t. The duty
of the taxpayer Is to make them under
stand that the great majority Of the
people are against such an appropria-
ton"
THE sponsors of this new move for
economy" according to the Morgan
town DominionNews, hope to provide
a vehicle on which the tax-burdened
citizen, through the power of concerted
action, may override the many partisan
and sectional groups and organized
minorities that are continually clamor-
ing for public funds and getting all
that they desire" The Asbury Park
Press holds that public support will
Fundamentally attend the leagues ef-
forts. During the past three years"
continues that paper. the average tax
payer has -"'9 to realize that the drain
which the cost of government places
upon him absorbs the fruit of his
enterprise and in many cases conf1s-
Gates his property. He is aware that
only when legitimate business is per-
mitted to accumulate profit that Is
not tapped by the tax collector will the
capital necessary for business progress
be found.
"A new conception of patriotism
new, at least, in these days" records
the Omaha World Herald, was ex-
pressed by Rear Admiral Byrd when
he accepted the presidency OF the
Economy League. He said very