Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-02-07
Behind the
Scenes In
Politics
by
Clayton
Rusch
Chairman

There is an old and well
known adage which states
that eve are sure in this life
of just two things, death and
taxes" Regarding both these
two unpleasant subjects there
are definite positive lines of
action. The almost universal
attitude toward death is, of
course, to postpone it as long
as possible. The general atti-
tude toward taxes is desire
to reduce them.
Certain candidates recently
elected to office, based their
appeal to the voters on prom
ises to cut taxes. 1t is cer-
tainty that the working peo-
pie are overtaxed. Yet is is
equally certain that the facili-
ties and services that taxes
provide are urgently needed
by the workers of this nation.
If certain newly elected
Congressman could carry out
their campaign promises, to
cut taxes by a direct reduc-
tion of the rate, the net result
would be a saving to the
workers of a few cents
week, while the corporations
would be saved millions of
dollars. Moreover, direct
cut in taxes would deprive
the government of the nec-
essary revenue with which to
finance needed public works,
which not only alleviate un-
employment in slack seasons,
but constitute the only means
of financing essential public
institutions.
SCHOOLS
Our schools need taxes. 1t
takes money to operate all
public enterprises which are
of great importance TO the
welfare of the people.
Many important posts in our
government are filled with
lesser men, because men bet
ter qualified cannot afford to
accept the posts. 1t takes up
too much time from their pri-
vate businesses which net them
more than the salaries pro-
vided for many important
posts of public responsibility.
These facts are so we'll
known that it would seem to
be a difficult task to find sim
cere proponents of a direct
cut in taxes. However, in pol
itics it is important to be
popular, and anyone who
promises to reduce taxes is
hitting upon a popular chord.
The real issue involved is
how to maintain an efficient
administration of the govern
ment and at the same time
not overtax the people who
are already carrying more
than their share of the load.
EXEMPTIONS
The logical and simple an
swer to this problem is to
increase tax exemptions. In
other words, allow the wage
Garner to earn a few more
dollars before his taxes be-
gin.
Such a tax program will
put more money in the pock-
cts of the workers. It will
enable them to buy more
commodities and thus be an
factor in preventing
business depressions.
Increasing exemptions will
not save the corporations mil
lions of dollars as would a
straight cut in taxes.
If those legislators who ad-
vocate reducing the tax bur-
den of the people are sim
cere, the way to do 1t Is to
increase tax exemptions.
Every wage Garner should
write to his representatives in
both the State Legislature and
Congress and let them know
that a direct cut in taxes will
not be in the best interest Of
the people and an increase in
tax exemptions will put more
money in the pockets of the
wage earners of America.
Address your communica-
tions to u. S. Senators Robert
Taft and John Bricker,' U. S.
Representatives Homer Ramey
and George Bender Washing
ton, D. c. and State Senators
r I'm o n d Hildebrand and
Virgil Cramer and State Rep
resentatives Henry Bartell,
George Thompson, Benjamin
Reading. Fred Hunt and Opal
Columbus, Ohio.