The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-04-01
HOLES IN UNCLE SANS POCKETS


Fred H. Clausen 3of'WiSconsih, an auth
ority on taxation, makes a contribution to
the discussion of this subject of first i'm
portance to the people of this country.
Without going into. details, Mr.. Clausen
names certain facts and presents certain
conclusions based on them, and these mat
ters should be,giVen serious attention by
every citizen,s regardless of class, occupa-
ton OF financial position: g..
The country has reached that stage in
which it's whole future is menaced by ta%
problems ard burdens. This is especially
and impressEely true Of federal taxation.
This is matter of vital consequence to
every citizen of the country. Let no one
make the mistake of supposing that be
cause he belongs 20 the middle class or the
very poor of the country he will escape the
weight and burden of taxation imposed BY
the tax gatberers anu tax eaters OF the
country. This business is reaching out TO
get straqglerhpld on, every citizen of the
United States, from the most prominent
and affluenti dbm. TO Che poorest and
humblest citizen of the nation. -
If readers of The 'Times-News wish to
be informed and prepared to act intelli-
gently and decisively when the time for
action in this case arrives, let them begin
at once the study of this problem; and with
this idea in view, this newspaper is giving
space to the article by Mr.. Claasen, which
is as follows: =....,.. ..a
New taxes are being considered in Congress.
To anyone who works for living, that means
something.
Why are taxes necessary,--or, are they
really necessary? .'...
Is it because collections from present taxes have
fallen off? Hardly for that is not the case Ex-
istng taxes will yield more money next year than
the government collected in any prosperous year
before 1929
Is it because billion dollars of hew taxes
would balance income with expensesS end these
alarming deficits and balance the bpSaet?
Far from it. Three times during the depres-
sion, taxes have. been increased. Each time the
added revenues have been more, than offset By
added expenditures. No bearatAe YAK system
could yield enough to. equal present expenditures
They are the key, to the situation Expendi-
lures are out from under control. - 49,.
Spending ourselves into prosperity
would not work in business or in family me--has
not worked in government either. Sewing up the
holes in Uncle Sans pockets would seem more
sensible than pouring still more money through
them. - e., 49, 80 d.
Could the governments finances be put in order?
Yes And still provide for unemployment reief
Yes-aS much as was provided in the worst Wlnte:
of the depression And still continue effective alt
to agriculture? Yes. And do all those thing
without taxes? Yes.
How?
BY stopping expenditures for "boondogging
activities; for public works projects that are not
properly the job of the federal government any
how, and for costly ventures that compete with
private employers and taxpayers. + e.t - r.
Twice much could be saved by stopping those
expenditures as could be raised by the new taxes
now proposed. .. rs. - Sx.r - -. %. -
return to sound finance by that path of; pru
dence would secure the governments credit against
any hazard. 1t also would bring other benefits tx
all; renewed confidence IN xt9 futare; new in
vestments and business activity to provide en,ploy
ment for more workers than would come off gov
eminent payrolls demand for goods and services
more jobs, more dollars of wages
But if that path is not taken, where would
billion of new taxes come from? 80 .'
Common sense makes that clear enough. Nor
taxes would come Ultimately out Of the hide o.
every person who works for living :. q
Maybe not in dollars of direct payment tina
each of us could see and measure But in nh,
cruel forms of blocking the advance of trade
postponing further Industrial revival, delaying tn
creation of stable jobs for idle men, and IN hun