Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-10-24
Income Tax
May Bother
Bro. CurIey
Chance Seen for u. S. tc
Cut In on Benefit
By WESTBROOK PEGLER

THE grim specter OF the in
come tax is beginning to
wind its ugly coils around the
generous plan of brother John
M. Sullivan, the boss of $500
Boston union teamsters, to raise
money to pay off the private
debts of brother Sullivan's New
Deal candidate for Congress in
the eleventh Massachusetts dis
trict, the Hon. James M. Curley.
1t may be remembered that
brother Sullivan arose at a
meeting of the union member
ship about a month ago and
panicked those present, includ-
ing Mr.. Curley, ex-mayor of the
city and ex-governor of the
state. with a spontaneous pro-
posal that they get him out of
hook land thus enable him 10
go forward, unhampered, TO fight
labor's future battles"
A local newspaper relating
the event said "the move came
as a complete surprise TO Curley.
who was so overcome by emo
ton at the unexpected demon
stration Of affection for him that
he was unable TO express his
thanks"
"Visibly battling to control
HIMSELF" the paper said, "Curley
hurriedly left the hall amid
cheers OF the gathering"
The statesman debts, thus
TO be paid by working wage
earners, include a judgment of
$4,000 against him held by the
city Of Boston. The total extent
of his debts was not stated.
THIS plan would make Mr..
l. Curley the first openly SUBJ
Sidized congressman Of modern
times. and it may be a matter
OF regret to the statesman, him.
self. that because of his party
affiliation il will be impossible
TO adopt the tin cup as his per-
sonal emblem on the ballot.
Plans were announced a cou-
pie of weeks later 10 run a
great testimonial dinner Octo-
Der 81. at which. il is said, more
than 1000 would be present.
The dinner at once became
an enterprise in itself and the
dinner committee established
regular headquarters and an
nounced the personnel of an
honorary committee led by the
name of Brother William Green,
president OF the AFL. and in
GLIDING Brother Dan Tobin.
president of the teamsters. and
Senator David /. Walsh and
Rep. John w. Mccormack.
leader of the New Deal ma ority
in the House.
Thus. it will be seen. the
proposal 10 subsidize a member
Of the United States Congress in
the interests of a private group
has the sympathy Of eminent
personageS of the party IN
power.
1T is proposed 10 raise the
L money by athletic carnivals
and similar benefit perform
ances." and all looks we'll up to
the point where il appears that
the money probably will be in
come.
II il is income. the Honorable
Curley might require still fur
Their athletic carnivals and
similar benefit performances" TO
raise the money for his tax and
a continuing series of benefits TO
pay the taxes on the tax
benefits. ad infnitum.
OF course, gifts are not in
come, but il would be up 10 the
internal revenue TO determine
whether this was a gift or some
thing else.
OF course, we do not know
lHdt tne INTERNAL revenue would
take narrow view of the prof.
ect TO bail out the eminent New
Deal statesman. but the bureau
is getting tougher and tougher
and, as the need for tax money
increases the pressure. the boys
may even get tough with some
New Dealers.
With little people now paying
income taxes which really hurt,
there probably would be very
little indignation in the heart Of
the common man if Mr.. Curley
should be made to shower down
half or more of the generous as
sistance proposed and engineered
for him by Brother Sullivan.
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