The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1941-08-28

text of a letter received from a Min
neapolis man because believe it ex-
emplifies perfectly the kind of unself-
ish patriotism we need in America to-
day if we are to win through the
difficult years ahead. The letter was
addressed to Senator Walter George,
chairman of the Senate Finance Com
mittee considering the big Tax Bill,
and copy sent to me. The text
follows:
although I am not one of your
constituents, I address this letter to
you as Chairman of the Senate Finance
Committee, hoping that you will
recognize my views as being typical
of many other American citizens to-
day.
1.-THE American people have ap-
proved the National Defense Program
and are prepared to pay for the secur-
ity this program offers. Now, as never
before, we are prepared to pay high
taxes for defense purposes without
complaint 1t seems much wiser to
use our additional income of these
days for this purpose than for the
purchase of civilian goods which COM
pete with defense goods. 1t seems
quite evident that we can afford cash
now for defense purposes better than
We will be able to afford it in the
future when the postwar depression
strikes. Let us pay as We go and avoid
borrowing. We are prepared to make
sacrifices now, but later we shall de-
mand lower taxes.
"By all this I mean to urge increase
in the Tax iBll passed by the House of
Representatives and now under con-
sideration by your Committee, in order
that borrowing may be reduced ]
particularly advocate broadening the
income tax base and lowering the eX-
emptions. I am a married man, I own
a nice home, a serviceable automobile
and a number of other luXuries. My
income is about $1,000 per year, but
because of lawful exemptions, I have
not had to pay any income tax. This
seems ridiculous to me, when my
country is so badly in need of money
I presume it is unusual for one to
request a higher tax rate, but know
of many others who feel much as
do. Taxes are always unpleasant, but
they will never be less resented than
right now. Let us pay cash for the
things that are needed, and let us
economic stringently on all other
expenses.
when planning your new Tax Bill
please consider these views for what
ever you decide they are worth. Copies
of this letter are being sent to my
own senator's No reply is necessary
|
I received reply from Paul v. Nc
Mutt, Administrator of the Federal
Security Agency, which includes the
Food and Drug Administration, an
swering a protest against the recently
adopted definition of oleomargarine
permitting the addition of artificial
fiavoring and other ingredients so as
to place a federal blessing on oleo
which is a close imitation of butter
The Administrator states he shares
the view that nothing should be done
by his agency which would react
against the legitimate interests of the
dairy industry, and claims the new
definition merely recognizes, and i'm
poses more stringent requirements on
ingredients previously used. He fur
ther stated that the activities of the
Consumers Division of the Department
of Agriculture, which recently spon-
sored a radio program in effect prais-
ing the merits of oleo, are outside the
jurisdiction of his agency.
That reply is not satisfactory. The
fact remains that federal sanction will
be given to an imitation which in
practical effect would promote decep-
ton, if this definition prevails, and
that the government has given boost
for oleo in radio program, whatever
particular agency is answerable there
for. The fact also remains that these
actions will harm the dairy industry
If it is necessary in order to protect
the interests of agriculture that Con-
gress correct this situation by legisla
ton, I believe that step should be
taken.
Dairy experts tell me that oleo can
be favored and colored to so closely
resemble butter that a chemical anal
ysis is necessary to tell the difference.
i