Evening star., 1937-06-09
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

j. Pierpont Morgan's attitude toward
income tax "evasion"-that it's up to
Congress to plug loopholes and that
citizens are not transgressors, simply be-
cause they take advantage of legal op-
portunities-is expected to be the gen.
eral line adopted by those plutocratic
persons haled before the joint congress
sional committee about to look into those
matters. Such tactics are not likely to
prevent the inquisitorial searchlight be-
ing turned relentlessly upon the prac-
tees denounced by President Roosevelt
and those suspected Of indulging in
them. It is, OF course, not news that
some Of the Nations rich men have in
recent years Systematically escaped in
come tax contributions. Ample evidence
on that score was forthcoming during
the 1888 Senate Banking and Currency
Committee investigation. But the Nor
gan pronouncement apparently reveals
the defensive strategy to which owners
of great fortunes are preparing to resort
in order to ward off public odium and
possibly legal prosecution. The New
York bankers thrust at the New Deal
program will doubtless fill both Con-
gress and the Treasury with enhanced
determination to go cunning for alleged
top-flght tax-dodgers The outlook for
Midsummer fireworks is correspondingly
brighter.
X X
Yol,, Il found ~ loo CT
issue on which he agrees with William
Green. The c. I. o. boss, in testifying
at the joint committee hearings on the
Black-Connery bill, identified himself
broadly with the A. F. of L.. chief in
opposing Government interference with
collective bargaining arrangements.
Lewis seems hostile specifically to the
throwing of any monkey Wrenches into
satisfactory wage and hour agreements
already brought about through negotia-
tions between employers and labor Or
CARNATIONS. Obviously, both Lewis and
Green view with alarm the enactment
of Federal statutes which would under
mine the time honored exclusive prerog-
ative of trade unions to treat with man.
agement for better working conditions.
Ever since the Black-Connery act was
projected there has been widespread
impression that in bestowing upon a
five-man Federal board the right to
regulate hours and wages the Govern
ment proposes in effect to take from
organized labor the fundamental excuse
for its existence
Undersecretary of the Treasury Ros-
we'll Magill, who receives chief credit
for organizing the crusade against multi
millionaire tax "evaders" and "avoiders, ?"
is the son of Hugh S. Magill, president
of the American Federation Of Investors.
That organization has been Jealous
throughout the New Deal in safeguard
ing the interests of citizens whose secur-
ity investments are menaced by the
avalanche Of reform legislation enacted
since 1888. The federation first cleared
for action in connection with the utility
holding company law. Since then, Mr..
Magill and his associates have interested
themselves in developments growing out
of T. v. A. and kindred Federal prof.
ects. The federation's purpose generally
is to hold watch and ward at Washing
ton over all matters, legislative and ad-
ministrative, that impinge upon peoples
invested savings. In 1926 Mr.. Magill
was an independent candidate for the
Senate In Illinois, where he was afdli-
ated with groups In which Harold l..