Evening star., 1937-01-24
STATES TO STUDY
FLOOD PROBLEMS
Council to Conclude Sessions
With Control Discus 4
sion Today.

Inc InlrQ (feuSTdl hSScillUIy OA tliC
Council of State Governments was
scheduled to conclude its deliberations
at the Mayfower Hotel today with
consideration of flood control.
Representatives from States in New
England and the Colorado and Co.
lumbia River Basins were to hold
regional meetings this morning. The
Interstate Commission on the Della
ware River Basin concluded its work
here yesterday, while representatives
of Ohio River Basin States voted to
form their own Interstate Commission
and to memorabilia Congress to ratify
their plans for flood control compact.
Other groups were to discuss petro-
leum and tobacco production control
and distillery taxation. A luncheon
at 1870 pm. was to conclude the four
day session which opened Thursday
under guidance of the Council pres
ident, former Gov. Paul v. McNutt
OF Indiana.
The main speakers yesterday were
Chairman Doughton of the House
Ways and Means Committee and
State Senator Seabury c. Mastick of
New York, chairman Of the Councils
Interstate Commission on Conflicting
Taxation; Secretary of Agriculture
Wallace, Frederic A. Delano, vice
chairman of the National Resources
Committee, and Gov. George H. Earle
OF Pennsylvania.
The Interstate Commission on Con-
flicting Taxation recommended tnst
the Federal Government leave to the
States for taxation incomes under
$4,000 a year and remit to the States
an amount of Federal taxes on in
comes above that mark sufficient to
maintain the States income tax reve-
nues at their present level.
Balancing Plan Favored.
Senator Mastick said the commits
sion favored the Federal Government
leaving gasoline and electrical energy
taxes to the States, with the States
to abandon tobacco and gallonage
taxes to Washington.
The income tax proposal he con-
tended, would decreased duplication OF
returns by nearly so per cent and
Government in examining returns to
the same extent"
The council adopted a resolution
offered by Senator Mastick to request
the House Appropriations Committee
to insert an item for $25,000 in the
deficiency appropriation bill to match
q similar appropriation from the coun-
~f ltyic
mittees and the technical staft OF the
Tax Revision Council, which was es-
tablished jointly by the Federal Gov
ernment and the council.
Doughton discussed the work Of the
Tax Revision Council, Of which he has
been chairman for two years. Its
major objective, he said, is to develop
means for simplifying and harmonic
ing Federal, State and local tax
systems"
Rehabilitation Of impoverished farm
families was the subject of Secretary
Wallace's address.
Their present deplorable condi-
ton" he said, tells the story OF
decades of wasteful land USE"
He advocated written tenant leases
for longer terms, announcement OF
tenant farmers to follow sound farm
practices and expansion of soil con-
eervation activities.
Gov. Earle, speaking at last nights
informal dinner on Progressive Gov
ernment," declared Government must
progress or be destroyed"
Economic Ferdaiism.
Economic feudalism is still ram
pant" Earle asserted. iii my own
State as we'll as in other States of the
Union. How persistent is the exploita-
ton of the weak! Part of the reSpon-
sibility for the correction OF the many
evils in our national life rests with
the Federal Government. Under Pres
ident Roosevelt the National Govern
ment has accepted that responsibility.
But we cannot shirk our own share OF
the task. The States themselves must
bear their burden"
Speaking of the flood situation. Earle
said: THE flood victim today must seek
Government aid to protect him. He
can't move so conveniently. The land
Is occupied. Like Holland, We must
build him dykes. actually or symbolic
ally. Government today must extend
protection undreamed of few
years ago."
Delano told of the work of the At
State planning boards In developing
land, water and conservation policies.
"All of the State planning boards
have attacked the problem of their
construction activities, and many OF
them are right now engaged on an in
ventory of desirable public works in |
the preparation Of a six-year pro-
gram" he said.