Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-09-22
uNI1EU STATES SENATOR

u . ~
Adjournment of Congress does not
mean the end of congressional ac-
tivity until the next session. The re-
cess period is marked by studies on
the part of House and Senate COM
mittees, preparation of departmental
budgets, the gathering of statistical
information for Congress and inves-
legations, such as that now being car
ried on by the Senate Committee on
Agriculture in connection with new
farm legislation. .s
Not the least important of these
between session activities is the
studies being made of the country's
tax system. Treasury and internal re-
venue experts, working in conjunc-
ton with the full-time staff of the
committees Of Congress, are now lay
ing plans for tax legislation when
Congress again convenes in January.
or earlier, if a special session is called
While this behind the scenes" ac-
tivity is primarily designed to sim
plify existing tax laws, plug loop
holes and otherwise improve the tax
structure, it is an open secret that
consideration is also being given to
means Of improving the whole tax
structure. Whether that will lead to
removal Of certain taxes and the levy
ing Of others, is prohlematic. Should
the income tax base be broadened
and special taxes eliminated? Would
better knowledge on the part Of tax
payers of what they actually pay be
preferable to hidden taxes such as
we now have? These and other ques-
tions are being asked by those con-
cerned with the interest of the tax
payer; as well as the necessity for
providing adequate Federal revenue
for necessary governmental func-
tions.
With it all, there is a growing reali-
zation among members of Congress of
the need for a better understanding
Of the fundamentals of taxation. Some
favor inclusion of the subject as
part of citizenship draining in the
schools. There is much merit in this
contention, in the opinion of many
congressional leaders,
They contend, and rightly so. that
too little thought is given to Federal
fund. For example, tt is not unusual
to- hear some advocate of a Federal
project say: Government money will
pay for it, there will be no cost to u.s."
Such lis not the case. The only source
of Federal revenue is the taxpayer,
and it is the taxpayer who will pay for
any Federal project or activity, what
ever the nature and wherever it is
located. 500,
It has long been contended that
hidden taxes" indirect levies of a
nature resulting in taxpayers having
little idea Of what they pay is large
" responsible for a widespread lack
offs interest in government. If the stu
dents of our schools ostained great
or appreciation of the routine facts
Of government, with smore informa-
stion on revenue and expenditures
they would have more interest when
they became voters. They would be
more eager to go. to the ballot box
and help correct evils and be more
! attentive to the selection of public Of
ticials.
One writer declares, and with some
reason, that America repudiates rath-
err than plans. His meaning is that
there is more interest in the part of
the electorate in regulating some
thing that has been DONE, than in Sc
lection of officials who have an eye
to the future. Support of this is found
in The fact that only in times Of ma
tional distress, or when some out
standing issue is before the people,
do the voters Sthrong to the polls in
greater numbers.
Many believe that the Interest OF
young people in the affairs of govern
ment is certain to have wholesome
effect and mean that there will be
steadily. growing interest in govern
mental affairs. And there is no phase
of these affairs of greater Importance
to the individual than the taxes ne
pays and the return he gets for those
taxes.
Better national understanding OF
conditions is the answer.