Evening star., 1947-02-05
Letters to The Star
Favors Income Tax Reduction
Scaled Against Favoritism


To the Editor Of The star:
The reasoning OF Republican Repre-
sentative Mason of Indiana on the 20
per cent-tax-cut question, as reported
on page / OF The Star for February 8.
makes a good point. He objects to Rep
resentative Engel's proposal for higher
individual income-tax exemptions be-
cause it would exempt many low-income
persons from paying any tax at all. He
says these persons must be kept tax
conscious (by making them continue
to pay some taxi '.if We ever expect to
get public approval for the reduction of
Federal spending"
This makes sense. But do not agree
with Representative Mason that this
argument supports the proposed Knut-
son measure for 20 per cent across
Ghe-board tax cut, which Gas Repre-
sentative Engel has pointed out) would
give relatively enormous increases in
Income after taxes" to high-income
groups, while raising the take home pay
of wage earners by comparatively trivial
amounts.
Mr.. Mason's objective (assuming 1t to
be as stated equally well could be
achieved by sailing" the percentage
reduction so that 1T would become pro-
gressively smaller for greater total in
come. This would give the low-income
groups a much fairer "cllt," while re-
tanning them on the tax rolls by leaving
exemptions at present levels. The
Treasury Departments present system
Of taxing different levels of income at
different rates lends itself very nicely
to this sort of adjustment.
If Representative Mason is interested
in Republican; political prospects for
1948 Gas apparently Representative
Knutson is not), he ought to recognize
that the reputation of his party makes
its motives suspect where legislation Of
this kind is concerned. In order to allay
any suspicion of favoring the interests
Of the wealthy as compared with those
of the rest of the population, the Re-
publican Party ought to lean over back
ward" to make any tax-reduction bill
above criticism in that respect.
Representative Engel seems to realize
this. His proposed method of tax-cut-
ting has another great advantage, in
addition to it's fairness, which Repre-
sentative Mason should weigh very
carefully against his objection to it: The
removal of millions of names from the
tax lists certainly should reduce the ex-
MANGA nf oal1arfinU tayeS
L. v. BLAKE.
Sending Boy Scouts to France
To the Editor OF The Star:
1t seems appropriate during Boy Scout
Week, February 7-13, to call the atten-
ton of the public to the World JAM
boree to be held in France in August
This is Scouting's biggest event in one
of its most epochal years. It is an in
strument of friendship, demonstration
of good will by the Scouts Of the
World Building for Tomorrow" That,
incidentally, is the slogan that has been
chosen for Scout Week.
Unfortunately, the cost of attendance
for an American Scout is in excess of
$700. There are many worthy Scouts
who are deserving of the honor of at
tendance but who will be prevented by
the cost. Unless assisted in some way,
attendance may be limited to the
wealthy, not necessarily to the most de-
serving or representative Scouts.
The writer would like to suggest that
this would be splendid opportunity
for some civic organization or inter-
ested citizens to cooperate with Scout
Headquarters in making it possible for
several of the most deserving Scouts who
are unable to provide for their own
attendance to represent the National
Capital Area Council.
I feel that the World Jamboree is
more than Scout event; it is an in
s3ument of peace, a guide to the adults
of the world. The United States should
be well represented. A SCOUTER.
Hard Words for Wagner Act, Etc.
ro the Editor of The Star.