Evening star., 1938-06-26
UNITE
llllllUl Z
By REX COLLIER.
TAX report every is minutes Of
l every business day.

BY REX COLLIER.
A TAX report every is minutes Of
" every business day.
~ Reports and questionnaires Of all
kinds in one year totaling $4,000
and costing 100000 Of stockholders
money.
Such was the experience last year Of one
| large dairy products corporation, as re-
lated recently in its annual report.
This company was required to fll out
ILLS separate tax reports during the
year, at q cost Of $265, 900. These included
Federal, State and municipal forms
One Federal agency propounded 5000
questions on one form, the head Of the
arm reported.
Another nationally prominent company
said in its annual report that 1t had been
compelled to file $1,000 tax returns and
reports during 1887.
One concern, with $4,000 retail and
wholesale branches, had to make reports
for each unit, at tremendous administrative
| cost.
Special Departments Needed.
The Controllers Institute Of America is
authority for the statement that many
companies have found 1t necessary to set
up special departments which do nothing
but I'LL out questionnaires and compile re-
ports Of sundsy nature for Federal and
State authorities.
It was a mounting stack of complaints
like the foregoing that prompted President
Roosevelt to call on the little-publicized
Central Statistical Board to do something
about it. In q recent letter to Staurt A.
Rice chairman Of the board, the President
expressed his concern over "the large num-
Der Of statistical reports which Federal
agencies are requiring from business and
industry
In view Of comments that come into
this Office" Mr.. Roosevelt said Il desire to
know the extent Of such reports and how
far there Is duplication among them. Ac-
Statistical Board, under the authority of
section Of the act creating the board, to
report to me on the statistical work of the
Federal agencies, with recommendations
looking toward consultations and changes
which are consistent with efficiency and
economy. both to the Government and to
private industry
The President told Chairman Rice he
was interested specifically in the approxi-
mate number of financial and other sta
tistical reports and returns regularly re-
quired from business and industry and
from private individuals by agencies Of
the Federal Government under existing
law, and the authority under which each
Is collected"
Extent Of Duplication Sought.
He asked the board to look into the
extent and kinds Of duplication" ex-
isting among such returns and the ad-
ministrative work involved in preparing
them.
With a view to reducing the amount
Of duplication in statistical reports" he
said in conclusion, will you indicate the
principal points at which the enactment
OF legislation by the Congress appears
to be necessary in order to effect con-
solidations or changes, with the recon-
mendations Of the board regarding them?
port OF the board by January /, 1899"
The Presidents letter has served to
enlighten many uninformed persons re-
garding the functions of the Central Sta
tistical Board. This Is not Just another
Government agency to haraSs industry
with requests for more stastistics, as its
name might Imply. This mistaken idea
has been held by numerous persons not
only In the business world, but in the
halls Of Congress. The misunderstand-
ing probably has had something to do
with dindculties the board has experienced
In obtaining adequate appropriations with
which to carry on its highly important
work. The boards funds were sliced in
half for the fiscal year drawing to
close. for example. and for the ensuing
fiscal year it will be forced to operate
on three-quarter "rations," despite the
extra burden put upon it by the Presi-
dents assignment
The boards duties are clearly outlined
in the section OF the act cited by Mr..
Roosevelt. They are Ito plan and pro-
mote the Improvement, development and
coordination Of, and the elimination Of
duplication in, statistical services carried
on by or subject to the supervision Of
the Federal Government, and, 20 far Is
may be practicable, of other statistical
services In the United States"
Founded 70 Relieve Burdens.
Thus, the boards chief job is not to
add to the statistical burdens Of busi-
ness, but to relieve them by cutting on
at the source, whenever possible, un-
necessary requests for information. It
is specifically charged by statute with
promoting "the elimination Of unneces-
sary work both on the part of such
: statistical agencies (of the Government)
and on the part Of persons called on by
such agencies to furnish information"
During N. r. A. days the board faced the
herculean task Of trying to keep tab on the
kaleidoscopic array Of questionnaires and
other information forms conceived by code
authorities and administrators Of the vari-
ous alphabetical agencies which sprang up
In bewildering numbers In Warrington.
The y. h A. dappeared. but the ". ?.