The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-04-17

Indirect taxation is QeluSlOn ana SHARE
for the majority of American citizens, as
it is the ever present help in time of trou-
BILE for the politicians. As long as the peo-
pie pay large part of their taxes in indi-
rect and invisible forms they really know
little about them and are not impressed
with the costs of taxation. In fact, millions
of citizens are in the position of the citizen
referred to by The Charlotte Observer,
who thought he escaped taxation because
he was not directly taxed, The Observer
says of this case and the Others: .. .,,
1.-THE gentleman said that it made no difference
to him how high taxes piled up, in the nation
or in the state, or down at the city hall and the
county court house-he didn't have any of them
to'pay
"Poor, deluded mortal!
He is the fellow who is right in the center of
the masses of the victims of high taxation.
at is those who never go about tax collector
or ever receive notice from the revenue depart
ments who, nevertheless, have to come across to
keep their government going.
"And these have immediate and immense
stake in the policies of taxation no matter from
what governmental base these proceed.
ga study conducted in two typical states, Illinois
and New York by DR.. Mabel Newcomer, VaSsar
economist is of special interest. In New York a
typical wage-earner with an income of $4,000, pays
S276 to 1884 annually in taxes. In Illinois, where
there is sales tax he pays between $279 and $3.50.
."On a national average, taxes take approximate
" 20 per cent Of income. This money IS collected
mainly through indirect taxes. The tax paid by the
shoe manufacturer and the retail store Is passed on
70 the shoe buyer. The tax levied against the cleo
trio company is a necessary and substantial part Oh
the consumers bill. So it goes, with everything we
buy, luxury or necessity"
Taxation in North Carolina, direct and
indirect, is just as heavy and burdensome
as in any one of the other Al States. In
fact it is said that direct and visible taxes
in this State, especially those levied on cor
porations and businesses, are, unusually
high and burdensome in comparison with
the taxes of other southern States.
This newspaper has reliable information
that the business and industrial develop
ment of North Carolina is being retarded
by our taxing system. ..
That is something for the serious atten-
ton of business men connected with the
SLaLS government. TIC lSHIWSiShI Poii'A7
clans may be omitted from consideration
of this problem. All they know is how to
spend the money of other people; but the
Governor and some of the citizens who are
sent to the Legislature from time to time
are business men or men who know some
thing about business. The hour has struck
for these public servants to give the most
serious consideration to the burdens OF
high taxation and the effects of the taxing
system and the tax load on the growth and
development of the State. ..
The hour has also struck that calls Tor
the election of more business men to the
Legislature-or at least, citizens having
greater understanding of the problems OF
business and industry and the upbuildins
of North Carolina than has been manifest,
ed by members of the Legislature down to
the year 1887.