Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-11-24
FAIR
ENOUGH
BY WestbrooN
PeeIer

Peeler
IRON the very beginning, all
L arguments in favor of the
federal income tax have empha-
sized its democratic" character.
All opposition to the tax itself,
to the more and more confisca-
tory revenue acts, and to their
oppressive administration by the
treasury, has been hooted down
without reasonable hearing.
In the sense that democracy
means the rule of the majority
or a manipulated minority with
out regard for the rights OF
others, the tax is truly demo-
cratic.
It's oppressive character is
manifest in the burdensome
weight Of the tax that is car
ried by the few million individu-
ais who, in normal times, pay IT
all, and again in the load carried
by a few populous and wealthy
states for the benefit OF the
many.
The propaganda for democ-
racy has been strident and per-
sistent in the years OF the
Roosevelt rule and apparently
most of our people think de-
mocracy means freedom and
think that is what Mrs. Roose-
welt has in mind when she
harps on the word.
S TO the democracy of the
"A income tax, ii NAV be re-
membered that Mrs. Roosevelt
once proposed and almost put
over an amendment which
would have limited individual
incomes TO SIS 900 a year
through confiscatOry schedules
on income above that figure.
That was absolutely contrar
10 the original intent of Con-
gress. that the plain UNDER
standing was that this tax was
enacted for the purpose Of rails
ing revenue and not To limit
anybody's earnings. Had there
been an attempt then To limit
income il would have been de-
feated but. had IL passed the
Supreme Court of those days
certainly would have nullified II
on constitutional grounds.
Nevertheless. Mrs. Roosevelt
tossed off her suggestion. which
later was traced 10 an old plat
form of the Communist Party,
and. when Congress fatty
turned her down. her husband
tried 10 jam il through by nat.
He. too. was rebuked. but II
will seem that this limitation is
their idea of democracy and
something new In American
taxation.
7 HAVE pointed out some
L peculiarities Of the income
tax which are hostile 10 the
integrity Of the family as a
unit and markedly partial 10
Society" and "the community
In this connection il begins
10 dawn that this version ~
democracy is unfriendlv 10 the
religious teachings of those of
us who are religious AT all be-
cause all OF us who have such
feelings put family first.
Russia and Germany put the
state ahead and this is the
spirit of these determinations
against the family in the in
come tax.
That, too. would be good de-
mocracy according 10 the new
version whose extreme advo-
Gates have recently gone so far
as TO propose that not only
young men but girls should h
drafted for a year Of 'nationa
service" not alone for the value
Of the service itself but for ad-
vancement OF democracy among
US through compulsory associa-
ton of "all the different
groups" as Mrs. Roosevelt
put IT,
WHY would the advocates Of
w democracy want TO dis
credit the family I think
their reasons are suggested by
their conduct and preaching.
They are very materialistic
and. although one hears much
talk Of humanity" from them
there is seldom any mention Of
God.
They would not think Of call
ing this war fight for Chris
tian principles, although these
would constitute an excellent
formula for the peace and we'll
being of mankind. Our friends,
the Russians, would think it
strange. but we can get to-
gether on democracy because
democracy eventually devours
itself and can tolerate even
slavery.
II has been said the Russians
have edged over toward the
right in the last few years
which may be true or false, but
there is no doubt that we, on
our part, have moved far TO the
left seeking a common ground
with them.
GO FAR, under the democratic
~ concept. we have established
in the income tax the principle
that mans obligation 10 his own