The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-14
TAX OFFICIALS
STUDYING RISE
IN BIG INCOMES
Seen as Source of Revenue
That Might Be Tapped
Still Deeper.
BY THOMAS L. STOKES
Times Special Writer

WASHINGTON. Dec IA rain
in the number of taxpayers in the
higher income brackets suggested
today to Administration and Con-
greSsional tax leaders a source of
revenue that might be tapped still
deeper to help finance the recovery
program.
The Treasury report, showing
among other things an increase Of
26 million dollar incomes in 1898,
was seized not only by those who
advocate a redistribution Of wealth
by taxation but also by haraSsed
officials who are looking in every
nook and Granny for revenue nest
eggs.
Among these is Chairman Robert
L. Doughton Cd, N. CO of the
House Ways and Means Commit
tee, who said the Treasury report
raised the question whether the
Government could not take more
in taxation from the wealthy.
1T looks to me as if man with
an income of a million dollars
should pay more" he said. AT
least it is a fertile field for investi-
cation"
Awaits Presidents Word
The Treasury report revealed not
only an increase from 20 to IS mil
lion-a-year incomes-the frs 'uch
gain since prosperity days-b also
a rise in the number of taxpayers
in ever income group above $4,000.
Mr. Doughton, who will have
charge of drafting of tax meas
ure in the new Congress, still awaits
word from President Roosevelt rs
to the nature of the Administra-
TONS tax progr N. After a con-
ference with the Chief Executive he
reported tax plans still in allegiance.
Mr.. Doughton, who opposes sales
taxes, would like to lift some of the
present emergency levies, especially
on gasoline and tobacco, and get
tbs revenue elsewhere. But he is
not prepared to say just how this
might be done.
Some tax experts recommend that
the Government reach still further
i. ) ir"0mes, and T Mt to ?
Treasury report. There was an &C
tual reduction in the last tax bill on
incomes up to 100000, and it has
been suggested that the middle
t-ackets in tn group. from which
the largest amount of revenue is de-
rived, be subjected to SITTER leVies
along with the higher brackets.
Would Continue Excuses
The disposition among congress
sional tax leaders is to avert any
substantial increases if possible.
They have suggested continuing the
present emergency excise taxes for
another year rather than overhaul
ing the tax program at this time.
Some high Administration officials
agree with them, but the President
has not made his views public and
Chairman Doughton does not look
for him to show his hand before his
message to Congress.
The whole tax question will be
opened, however, when the ques-
ton of extending the emergency
levies comes up-even if the Adj
ministration recommends nothing
else-and Congress is certain to ind
itself in the midst of fight to in
crease taxes on the wealthy still
further. Senator Robert M. La Fol-
lette prog, Wis., expects to re-
sumo the car1naipn he yUaped it'll
some success, at last session.
Upon one thing Mr.. Doughton is
determined. He will resist the gen.
eral sales tax wave, which is spread
ing and which only recently en-
quilted Mayor La Guardia of New
York who. as a member Of the
House in 1882, stood by Mr.. Dough-
tons side to defeat a general manu-
facturers' sales tax.