Evening star., 1936-10-03

pursue a more conservative course II
he wins his reelection contest.
There are, of course, many Demo-
Gratis who have no such faith or con-
fidence and who think that Mr.. Roose-
welt would regard victory as mandate
to 60 ahead with what they regard
as socialistic schemes involving con-
tinued large expenditures. So there
Is a wavering between distrust of
what the future holds in store and
q hope that Mr.. Roosevelt will read
In the large protest vote warning
against attempting to remake the
constitutional system.
Taxs Fears Cloud Profits.
Business conditions are, OF course.
very good on the whole. Merchants
have felt the beneficial effects of the
Government spending and some OF
them, believing it will continue, are
showing a tendency to argue against
change in Washington. Considerable
apprehension is arising, however, over
the tax laws and this Is tempering a
good deal of the enthusiasm about the
large profits that are coming in this
wear. The fact the Government Is
planning to take bigger slice than
heretofore out of business earnings
has not really taken hold Of the tax
payers as yet, particularly in the
small businesses. Nor is there much
discussion of the coming reaction
toward the payroll taxes, which begin
next January, and the inevitable fric-
ton between employer and employe
when Uncle Sam begins cutting down
the pay envelope.
just now Oklahoma has had more
money spent by the Federal Govern
ment than can be visualized by the
mere mention Of figures. For about
1854 4,8l2, 900 has been sent into Okla
homa, of which about 500, 100000 Is
for grants and subsidies. The Demo-
cratic State Central Committee boasts
about all this and has gotten out
manual for speakers showing exactly
how much has been spent IN each
and every county in the State. Speak
ers are urged to stress the benefits
that Oklahomans have received.
In other words, the campaign here
Is entirely one based on the Federal
spending and in strengthening the
belief that the spending will continue
after election just as heretofore.
Thoughtful See an End.
Among the more thoughtful men
OF the community there is no such
expectation. They realize the spend
ing must soon come to an end unless
the Treasury is to be embarrassed.
They appreciate, too, that the work
relief program has had many defects
that will have to be cured, no matter
which way the election turns out.
1t was interesting to discover an
almost unanimous sentiment among
men of both parties that had the Fed
eral Government placed the RESPONSE
bility for relief on local communities
with the opportunity to borrow from
the National Government for local
needs. there would have been from
70 to 80 per cent less spent in taking
care Of the needy and the unemployed
than has been expended.
The senatorial race looks as if Rep
resentative Josh Lee will win easily
over his Republican opponent as the
vote for Senator Gore in the primary
was not sufficient to cause Lees de-
feat even If all of it went to his Re-
publican opponent. Lee is an inter-
esting campaigner, and in a recent
speech he frankly mentioned in
creased taxes.
Discounts Ad Valorem Taxes.
He said:
II am aware that the critics of this
administration are pointing out that
all of this money will have to be raised
by taxes. That is true. But 1t will
not have to be raised by ad valorem
taxes. 1t will be raised by income
taxes. inheritance taxes, taxes on in
tangible securities, and even sales
taxes. This is taking money from those
most able to pay, and aiding those
most in need, and is not distribution of
wealth, the thing most needed at the
present time? And is not this form
of redistribution the purpose and duty
of Government? And is not this the
underlying principle of the Democratic
faith?"
1t Is fortunate for Lee that he isn't
running in State that has had q
heavy sales tax, because very few men
who have sponsored such taxes get re-
elected. Likewise, when the poor
people whose food and necessities get
taxed find out about the hidden taxes
imposed by the businesses Of the coun-
try who pass on their taxes to the con-
sumner, there may be another kind Of
reaction toward wealth redistribution.
But at the moment it Is significant
that the people of Oklahoma are be-
ing told they aren't going to have to
pay back the subsidies they have been
receiving in Federal aid-somebody
else in some other States. possibly the
big Eastern States, are going to be gen.
erous about it and pay the bill.