Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1946-03-29
Political
Action

of Toledo to the present pay
roll tax. To sum up our posi-
tions it can be said that we
believe exemptions for those
with small incomes also figur-
ing dependents are essential in
just plan of taxation. We
are not opposed to income
taxes in principle, but believe
such taxes must be based on
the ability to pay.
Furthermore, the payroll
tax ordinance includes the OBJ
noxious section Is which pro-
vides that if any part of the
ordinance is declared invalid
the rest is still in effect. This
means that if the corporations
find loop holes to avoid pay
ment, the workers must still
pay. We are, of course, unal-
terably opposed to any form
of taxation which places the
bulk of the burden on those
Least able to pay.
The payroll tax must be de-
feated by the people at the
polls on April II. We of the
CIO-PAC are satisfied that it
is possible to adequately fl
nance the operation of the
city on a system of taxation
based ON ability to pay. It Is
also possible to have a pro-
gressive plan for civic inn
provements on the same basis.
Due to some of the propa-
ganda which is sponsored by
the supporters of the tax, our
position on the date of the
election might be confusing to
some people. We felt that the
primary on May z would be a
time which would save a city
already low on finances, the
cost Of special election. This
cost is estimated at $4,000.
Yet if we waited until that
date without a test on the is
sue, a suit could have been
filed which would have pro-
hibited the election. This is
true because the City Charter
stipulates that an election on
a referendum must be held
within 30 days after the clerk
of Council certifies the peti-
tions. Therefore, in insisting
on legal determination
through the courts we were
only assuring that the people
will have the opportunity to
vote on the issue of the city
payroll tax.
The CIO-PAC has a pro-
gram on taxation, which will
benefit the city as a whole.
based on the ability to pay.
AS II stands now, it will be
necessary to defeat the pay
roll tax before any better plan
can be considered by Council.
However, it is the people as
n whole who must do the Job
of defeating the payroll tax
on April IL. To do this IL is
necessary that the people who
are not registered 60 to the
Board of Elections and regis
ter. The address is PIT Supe-
rior St,-open until 5 p. m.
AS far as is known at present
April 8 will be the deadline
on registration.
The next and final step is
the most important one. We
must all go to the polls on
April III and vote. II is GER
tain that the payroll tax sup
porters will turn out in a
body and vote, Opposition to
the payroll tax will mean
nothing unless it is expressed
by marking an X on a ballot
in a voting booth on April II.
The issues in which the
CIO-PAC are vitality inter
ested range all the way from
local payroll taxes to a pro-
gram for the most effective
method of developing atomic
energy in the best interests of
the people.
Our basic program is sim
ply jobs for all at living
wages, with adequate social
security measures and protec-
tion of civil liberties for all.
To achieve these ends il is
all important that liberal peo-
pie regardless of party affilia-
tons be elected to public Of
flee. To insure this we need a
large and active membership
in PAC. II you are not a mem
Der, see the PAC representa-
tive at your local or shop or
comeo to the PAC office at
425 Winthrop st. and join
now. Then become active in
our crusade to obtain greater
$ curity for the people
through passage of social leg
islation.
Most important local issue
at present Is the payroll tax
and we urge everyone to 60 to
the polls and vote against il
on April II.