The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-01-21
Committee.
On Finance
About Done
Sales Tax Probably
To Stay at Three
Per Cent Rate
Tax Asso. Speaks

RALEIGH, Jan. 19.-With the eX-
ception of five sections now before
subcommittee, the 1887 model rev.
enue bill was ready this afternoon
to be reported to the North Carolina
general assembly with recommended
ton that sit do pass, nearly complet-
ing the work of the fastest working
finance committee which has sat in
Raleigh in long time.
A. J. Maxwell, commissioner of
revenue, said at the end of short
session this afternoon that in his re-
collection the speed of this commit
tee sets new record.
It was easy to see as amendments
popped to the sales tax section that
there is no little dissatisfaction with
its administration as necessary as all
of the members of this committee
see the tax to be. Prospect OF an alll-
ance between some of those who are
asking for additions to the list of ex-
emptions and those who wish the
rate reduced to per cent and ap-
piled to all sales came sharply to the
fore in the discussion when Repre-
sentative Lu 1pkin announced that
he would wi draw his amendment
adding baby carriages, kitchen stoves,
coffins, overalls, ETC., to the nine ar
ticles listed as essentials proposed to
be exempted from the sales levy by
the governor and budget commits
sion, if the rate were reduced to z
per cent.
Senator Gap, of Northampton, in
troduced the bill providing for a
bargain price in automobile tags, So
flat fee for all passenger vehicles,
and S. fer each motorcycle.
Tax on Lobbyists
Representative Caffey, of Guilford,
and Barker, of Durham, trotted out
an old horse in new colors just about
the time the committee was wind
ing up it's affairs this week by pro-
posing to tax registered lobbyists
500 each. Commissioner Maxwell
was delegated to bring in report
next Tuesday on how much money
such a section would raise and the
commissioner of revenue agreed
Smilingly to make an estimate.
Against Absentee Ballot
Adjustment of the sales tax, re-
duction in automobile license fees
and repeal of the absentee ballot
law are among the original objects
of the Fair Tax association adopted
when it was organized in 1888, but
a resolution adopted yesterday says
irregularities in last years primary
elections proven before the state
election board were accomplished
largely through the absentee ballot"
This, the resolution says justifies
absolute adjustment of the absen-
tee ballot law"
New Taxes
Three new taxes were suggested
in the finance bill, and abolition OF
the sales tax on necessities" was
recommended New levies provided:
l. For a tax on bank accounts, in
surance policies, stocks and bonds.
2. For tax on gifts valued at
more than $4,000 received by any
person during year with smaller
exemption for gifts from non-family
members.)
3.For tax on the wholesaling
and retailing of wines, somewhat
similar to the levy now collected
from beer.
Soak the-Rich'
The first two measures quickly
were termed soak the rich" propos-
ais by legislators.
In public hearing, the North Caro-
lima Merchants association charged
the sales tax was a 'levy on power
ty" and asked for its complete abo-
lition.
'Most merchants would prefer a
flat 2 per cent tax on all sales than
a 8 per cent tax on some sales, with
necessities exempted" Willard L..
Dowell, secretary of the association,
said.