The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1937-09-30

A PLEA FOR UNPREJUDICED
study of the tax problem with a view to
equitable reform was made this week by
James P. Mcdonnell, president OF the Min
nesota Taxpayers association. I'VE must
approach the problem with absolute fair
ness" he declared.
Mr.. Mcdonnell is right Too much class
prejudice has been shown in the efforts for
tax reforms. Fundamentals, such as the
basic source of the tax revenue sought from
privileged groups, have been disregarded in
the purely political matter of seeming to tax
the rich for the benefit of the less fortunate.
Claims and counter-claims have been
advanced on each tax proposal with the votes
involved more often determining the sue
cess or failure of the proposal than facts in
the case. We have slapped more and more
taxes on industries, for example, disregard
ing the effect of such levies on wages and
cost of goods to the consumer. We have
closed our eyes to the essential fact that
when we think we are soaking the rich, we
are more than likely to be only soaking the
poor consumer.
The sales tax has been advocated as one
that cannot be hidden, levy which the con-
sumner recognizes and feels as he makes his
purchases. The argument falls short, how
ever, since it is obvious that the sales tax
is only an extra levy and therefore only
fools the consumer who is so naive as to be-
lieve it is the only tax he pays on the goods
purchased.
1t would be great contribution to bet
ter government, as an eye opener, II the
articles we buy carried a tag listing the con-
tributions in various taxes made by the pro-
ducers of the raw products, the firms
through which they are marketed, the taxes
of the manufacturer, the jobber and retail
err, broken into units so that the cost of the
article could be separated from the cost of
government. Only then would the average
consumer come to realize that taxes are the
major item in the high cost of living and
take an interest in doing something about
them.
MINNESOTA EMPLOYERS HAVE AL
ready paid $7,129,73O for job insurance and
$4,000 workers are eligible for benefits af
ter the first of the year, providing they are
voorhees, for more than two weeks. The first
man in this community who draws on the
fund can have his picture in the paper with
out charge and if we agreed to run pictures
of all who benefit directly, we imagine the
expense would not be prohibitive or the ser
les firing to readers. We probably will all
benefit from the old age benefit scheme
eventually but the jobless insurance tax will
never return to rural regions what it takes
out in assessments.
THE SEASON FOR SALE OF mo
hunting" signs is here and the farmers will
soon be carrying them out in half dozen
and dozen lots. So far, however, we haven't
met farmer who is selfish about the birds
or about hunting on his land. They seldom
refuse anyone who has the courtesy to ask
for hunting privileges but they want to
know who is hunting on their property and
have a chance to tell them where the live
stock is and that the boys are husking corn
on the north 40. Would you turn the keys
to your store over to stranger or casual
acquaintance with any fewer precautions?
STARTING WITH A POLICY OF
."stay at your own risk" in Shanghai, the
federal government now announces that it
the far east, warning or no warning. The
new policy seems to be Saving face" ges-
ture of the variety we generally attribute
to the oriental, although it is quite an Oc-
cidental custom as well. Discretion as the
better part of valor is no longer state de-
partment policy.
RADIO PROGRAM WANTS A
word for housewife that is more inclusive,
takes in the spinster and widow as well as
the spouse. HouSekeeper doesn't suffice be-
cause that implies the hired rather than the
welded cook and bottle washer. A lot of
us husbands think any truly descriptive
term should include the word bridge"
THE SPRINGFIELD ADVANCE
Press remarks that pinball games are gambl-
ing devices in Redwood county and games
of skill in Brown county. Perhaps our rud-
ely dethroned champions can find places in
the leagues across the line.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT PROMIS-
ed a balanced budget next year on his speak
ing tour Tuesday. If he is not careful his
eventual balanced budget" will be as close
ly associated with his name in history as
'tfree silver" is with Bryan.
AS ONE SPORTS FAN TO ANOTHER,
don't you think the big newspapers would
be better off to let the coaches confine their
activities to coaching and the sports writer's
to writing sports?
HALLOWEEN, THANKSGIVING AND
then Christmas presents. Only three months
remain of the year in which you were going
to do things and save something. Did you?