Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-09-13
Propaganda Being
Spread for A New
Tax on the Masses
Continued from Page u

CONTINUED from Page u
IL is being presented very sweetly as
a sugar coated proposition but should
be looked into carefully by those 10
whom il may sound good.
II mas been argued if one-half OF
one percent were collected on the
dollar turnover that that should be
in the state. The total wealth of the
state of Minnesota is approximately
nine billion dollars. The annual gross
income is less than one billion. The
dollar turnover is between ten and
twelve billions but il would require a
dollar turnover of % billions al a
rate of taxation of ene-haf Of one
percent TO produce the S135. 000. 600
needed annually for the state, all
counties, school districts. cities. vii
lagos and townships.
One tax only, and that but one-half
OF one percent on the gross income OF
the individual or business sounds
good. On $1,000 individual income
that would be but SIS and on a $4,000
income but $40. Fine chance OF any
such taxation over night. II Is ridi-
cuious- especially when We stop 70
consider that folks with incomes of
81 900 10 $4,000 are usually paving
total taxes OF from s1oo to $500 on
personal property and real estate.
Indirect Consumers Tax.
The indirect tax in this gross in
come or dollar turnover proposal is
the one the advocates feel the un-
suspecting public viii overlook a
direct tax bill-one you can see and
where you know what you are paying
is the better one. II is az any rate
more open and above board. II is not
bhndfolding the public.
Let Us go behind the scenes in the
gross income or dollar turnover tax
The mead OF a family with a $4,000
income may be Obliged 10 spend most
OF that money each year for the main
Ienance Of the nome and the susie
nance OF mis- family. He will pay the
one-half of one percent on MS gross
income which will be the small sum
/ OF $40 under provisions OF that scheme
OF taxation. But when ne makes pur-
chases OF clothing. shoes, groceries
meat, furniture. repairs. fuel. etc. ne
will pay the gross income taxes
/ passed on from the manufacturer.
distributor. wholesaler. retailer. and
others right down 10 the consumer.
! That viii make for taxes OF from 2
10 3 percent on all MS purchases.
That Is the insiduous, indirect and
concealed tax-tne burden on the
masses
The gross income or dollar turn
over which is another form Of sales
/ tax. is wrong in principle. unjust. IN
/ scientific. and a tax on the mass Of
/ citizens already overloaded with taxes.
/ both direct and indirect. Ii will be
! shifted onto the backs OF consumers.
4 farmers, and workers through liz
creased prices on the merchandise
/ that they BUY including the necesSi-
ties OF life. Il viii discourage buying
! and in times OF depression like the
/ present will cause sragnaIiOn in trade.
Progressives Against Sales Tax.
A study OF various efforts of con-
sentative and reactionary groups in
America 10 put over some form or
other OF Z sales tax system Is en-
| Tightening On the one hand We have
! liberals and progressives opposing the
sales tax system, while on the other
hand We have those interested 10 2
greater degree in property rights adj
vocating such system.
II is 10 the credit OF President
| Roosevelt when attempts were made
To put over this vicious tax system
nationally that ne gave notice TO the
reactionary forces in both the Demo-
cratic and Republican parties that he
was opposed 10 the same. Governor
Olson performed the same service for
the consumers Of this state in 1881
when the Interim Tax committee. sent
/ out recommendations for sales tax.
/ He punctured the idea when ne came
! the sales tax.
The merits or dement's Of q pro-
posed law. and as 10 now il will eff
/ feet the masses or those OF wealth.
can generally De judged by looking up
VINO is for and who is against il.
L. s. Senator David Reed Of Penn
/ syivania- one Of the most reactionary
/ lawmakers in America and an intim-
ate friend and political associate OF
/ former Secretary OF the Treasury An
drew Mellon. rs strongly advocating
q national sales tax.
Reactionaries for Sales Tax.
Former Senator Reed Smoot OF
| Utah. has been for many years an
/ advocate Of the sales tax. He and
4 mis- associates well know that this tax
will produce federal revenue in at
tractive quantities. II viii relieve