Evening star., 1939-08-17
Industrial Leaders
Invited 10 Assist
In Tax Inquiry
Acting Secretary Hones
In Letter Asks for
Public Tax Opinion
3y the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
Ranking leaders in all divisions of
the Nations commerce and industry
were invited today by Acting Secre-
tary John w. Hanes to join with
the Treasury in compiling a record
of public tax opinion" to help Con-
gress in revising tax laws next ses-
sion.
Mr.. Hanes wrote numerous Of
cials Of labor, financial business, in
dustrial and agricultural firms and
organizations that the Treasury
would like to get their views on tax
problems preliminary to the formal
study which a House Ways and
Means subcommittee will begin No
vember l.
This is our common problem" !"
he said in letter made public at his
press conference. land success
full effort toward its solution will
depend largely on our mutual and
sympathetic understanding of the
questions that confront both the
Government and the taxpayer
Leaders Sent Invitations.
While all those to whom the invi-
tation was addressed were not dis
closed, it was learned that among
them were the following:
Edward R. Stettinius. jr., chair
man of United States Steel Corp;
William S. Knudsen, president of
General Motors Corp; William A.
Hartman, president of the Union
Pacific Railroad; John L. Lewis,
head of the Congress of Industrial
Organizations; William Green, head
of the American Federation of La
Dor, and Martin w. Clement, presi-
dent of the Pennsylvania Railroad
The letter also was sent to officials
of these groups: United States
Chamber of Commerce, National
Association of Manufacturers, Farm
Bureau Federation, American Bank
ers' Association, National Retail
Federation and various organiza-
tions representing small business
| groups.
Mr. Hanes asked those to whom
he wrote whether they were inter-
ested in getting their tax views be-
fore Congress and advised them he
would like to arrange for them pre-
liminary hearings before Treasury
officials
Text of Harness Letter.
The text of his letter.
The subcommittee of the Ways
and Means Committee of the House
Of Representatives has been in
structed to make thorough study
OF internal revenue taxation during
the recess of the 18th Congress.
The chairman of this subcom-
mlttee, Mr.. Jere Cooper, is desirous
OF having all pertinent material
ready for presentation early in the
next session of the Congress.
With the approval of his commit
tee, 1 am writing to ask your CO.
operation in this effort to work out
a tax revision program which will
further improve the laws relating to
individual and corporal ton taxes,
the regulations derived therefrom
and the administrative procedure in
their collection.
If you-or any organization with
which you are connected should be
interested in having your views
placed before the committee in full,
shall be glad to arrange-at time
convenient to you before November
Ia private hearing before the
Treasury staff assigned to compile a
record of present public tax opinion.
Your views will receive every con-
sideration and I shall appreciate
your help.
This is our common problem and
successful effort toward It's solu-
ton will depend largely on our mu-
tual and sympathetic understanding
of the questions that confront both
the Government and the taxpayer.
Il shall await your answer with
interest"