Evening star., 1934-04-22
PUBLICITY ON TAX
RETURN DECLARED
AID IN WISCONSIN
Law Inspires Correct Filing
and Speeds Up De-
linquentS.

MILWAUKEE, Wis, April 21.-For
years Wisconsin has had law for
publicity on income tax returns, with
popular opinion divided on the justice
OF such law.
1t was sponsored by the La Toilette
wing of the Republican party and op-
posed by conservatives. In the inter-
vening years its advantages and dis
advantages have been debated vigor-
ously in the Legislature at Madison,
but every bill to repeal the act has
been defeated. 1t is not considered
an outstanding political issue on the
stump, although it is talked about.
The tax issue in Wisconsin revolves
about increasing rates on incomes, the
theory being that property can carry
no more of the load
1t is said in favor Of the publicity
feature Of the law that it has brought
about the correct filing of incomes
both large and small, because income
tax payers do not want to be caught
cheating, especially business men in
the upper brackets.
Prevents Favoritism.
It is further asserted that it pre-
vents favoritiSm among taxing au-
thorities, should they be inclined to
favor citizens who seek advantages.
Wisconsin, like other States, has dis
covered from time to time that per-
sons of substantial income, both in
private and public life, have been tax
delinquents for a long stretch with
ont nffipio 1c dniyr ohNiif n Fol-
lowing several clean-ups on that score,
in which some of the leading news
papers printed the names of delin-
quentS and the amounts they owed
the State, there has been less laxity.
Following publication Of names,
some delinquents hurriedly paid all
they owed or agreed to pay the total
in installments. Wisconsin collected
thousands upon thousands of dollars
in that way, publicity being a strong
factor in getting the money.
1t is argued, on the other hand, that
the law lends itself to unfair compe-
tition in business and that tricky poll
ticians, always ready to arraign class
against class, use it to the limit. FIRE.
quently, it is asserted, individuals or
concerns seek income information for
purely business reasons. Thus, the
financial standing of some concern, it
Is said, might effect price cutting,
while disclosure of an individuals
financial standing might hurt that
individual.
Encourages Shopping.
The most common argument Is that
the law encourages shopping Here,
too, comes the argument that mans
income is his own business, whether
he is making much or little money.
There is some protection for the
taxpayer in the Milwaukee district,
where John E. Leenhouts, assessor Of
incomes, requires that any one re-
questing to see an income tax return
write his name on a slip of paper and
say why he wants the information.
Then the income tax payer is notified
that his return has been checked and
by whom.
The 1888 Legislature amended the
law so that no person shall divulge
or circulate for revenue any income
tax information, but that does not
prohibit publication by newspapers of
income data nor does it prohibit pub
lie speakers from referring to such
data.
La Toilette followers, in recent po-
litical campaigns, have brought to
public attention the income of Wis
consin's big business men as proof
that these men could we'll afford to
pay more income taxes to the State.
The La Toilette group has been and is
advocating increased rates. Its motive
in using income figures is to place
the opposition in selfish light.
(Copyright. 1884, by the North American
Newspaper Alliance. Inc.(