davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21
Review of Weeks News
Continued From Page CID

Continued From Page CID
George of Georgia. the conser-
vative Democratic wings an
swer to the Bricker forces.
Next day the Senate added
by 72-16 vote a provision that
treaties must be ratified by a
Senate roll-call vote. Despite
general agreement, there was a
question whether the Bricker
amendment was the proper We
hicle for such a Senate rule
change. The vote last week did
not resolve that question, as
several Senators who opposed
the Bricker amendment voted
for the roll-call provision as a
harmless gesture.
On Wednesday, the Senate
voted A to 43 to throw out the
controversial which clause" of
the Bricker amendment and
substitute a provision Spon-
sored by Senators Ferguson Of
Michigan and Knowland of
California. specifying that a
treaty may not be the supreme
law OF the land unless made in
pursuance of this Constitu-
ton" Some Senators argued
that this provision was moth
ing more than a restatement of
the first section of the Bricker
amendment. Others said it was
an indispensable safeguard
against presidential enroach-
ment on American rights.
At that point the Bricker
amendment was dropped for
the week. Left intact from the
original was one substantive
clause. It would give Congress
power to regulate" all execu-
tive. agreements. But by gen.
eral consent. that clause was
to be dropped in the coming
week.
Thus. for all practical pur-
poses, the old Bricker amend
ment was a dead issue.
And last weeks votes indi-
Gated odds were against pas
sage even Of the Ferguson
Knowland and the George pro-
posals. A constitutional amend,
ment must be approved by two
thirds vote of both Senate and
House. The one-vote margin of
the Ferguson-Knowland "pur-
suance" clause indicated that
no significant provision could
secure the two-thirds margin.
Still to be voted on was q
provision being pushed, a. Q
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21

last resort, by Senator Bricker.
It would specify that a treaty
or other international agree
ment shall become effective as
internal law only through spe-
cial legislation of Congress.
This seemed to have little
chance, as it was opposed by
almost all Democrats. Admin
istration Republicans were I'M
decided.
Then there would be a vote
on the George proposal that
executive agreements - not
treaties-would have to be
validated as internal law by
congressional action. This
seemed to have a better chance.
But after the amendments
are disposed of, the entire
amendment probably will be
voted on twice, first on a mo-
ton to send it back to the
judiciary Committee, then, if
it survives that test. the two
thirds vote will be sought on
a final ballot.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21
By John M. Rosson

for q Senate okay was the
forced sale of SIS million Of
General Motors stock and more
than 100000 worth of bonus
and other rights.
The Senate also confirmed
Roger NJ. Kyes as Undersecre-
tary of Defense, but only after
he agreed to dispose of $193 900
Of General Motors securities. ,
Not all the candidates for
jobs accept the laws demands.
Robert c. Sprague withdrew
his name as the Presidents
designated Air Force Secretary
last year. 1t had become EVIL
dent that the Senate would
deny him confirmation unless
he rid himself of almost SIS
million worth of stock in the
Sprague Electric Co., a family
concern. This he refused to do.
The salary clause also struck
at the Truman administration.
It caused the Senate in 1949 to
reject the nomination of Carl
A. Ilgenfritz as chairman Of
the Munitions Board. Mr..
Ilgenfritz said he was willing
to forgo the Government salary
Of $4,000 year but would not
resign as a vice president Of
the U. s. Steel Corp. or give
up the $4,000 salary it. paid
him. He also stood to lose
valuable pension rights.
I'VE, cannot expect to get
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21
Senate Votes

Major roll-call votes In the
Senate last week included three
on the Bricker amendment
and one on a presidential
nomination. No major polls
were taken in the House. Votes
of nearby Senators follow:
. Amendment by Ferguson
(R., Mich) to extend Bricker
proposal on conflict with Con-.
Stitution to include interna-
tional agreements. Agreed to.
1920.
For: Butler CR.. Md. Byrd ID.
Va.
Md.
. Amendment by Knowland
(R., CalifD for roll-call vote,
on all treaty ratif1cations.
Agreed to. 1915.
For: Beall, Butler. Byrd. Robertson.
. Amendment by Ferguson to
delete which" clause from
Bricker proposal. Agreed to-.
44-43.
Fer: Beall, Butler, Byrd. .
Against: Robertson.
. Nomination Of Albert c.
Beeson to National Labor Re-
lation Board. Confirmed. 45-42.
For: Beau. Butler. BYRD. -
Net voting: (Paired for) Robertsea.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21

patriotic responsibility to pay
their income tax.
Still. there are enough Of the
backSliders to make q stable
difference, as witness the large
sums recovered.
Here are some actual cases
out Of the bureaus files, with
identities eliminated:
. A big fee was paid when
about 81 million was recovered
from former officers or estates
or heirs Of a large group OF
affiliated corporations. Four
claimants. who had worked
for these firms. divided the
reward among them.
Under this plan. officials
said. dummy and foreign
corporations were set up. The
defaulters concealed their &C.
tual holdings in various cor
porationS and diverted a large
portion of profits. Neither
individuals nor corporations
paid taxes on these profits.
. A jewelry salesman noted
that his personal record Of
sales failed to jibe with that
of his employer. Curiosity
got the better of him. First
he investigated. then he tat
tied. He was able to piece
together a scheme Of tax
evasion. The curious sales
man reaped $14,415 for his .
nosiness and the Government
harvested $165.000 in un-
looked-for taxes.
o Some WrongdoerS confess
when they find the Govern
ment is on their trail. for
titled with inside information.
Witness a case in which q re-
I ward of $47.073 was recently
paid an informer. He was
responsible for reopening old
tax returns that had already
been examined. AS an after I
math, taxes and penalties
totaling $67Q.000 were col
lected by the Government.
o Another informer got SIS
900 in New York for a de-
tailed description of a tax
evasion scheme. A special
agent, armed with the vital
information supplied by one
in the know. was able to col
lect $15O,000 in additional
taxes and penalties. II
o Rewards totaling almost
$4,000 recently went to the
widow of a claimant. Net addi-
tional taxes totaling more than
So million were collected as a
result of the information
slipped to the bureau by the
informer. This informer died,
practically broke, before his
reward was paid. The bureaus
payment rescued the widow
from want.
. One informer overheard a
conversation regarding busi-
ness activity, gross receipts.
places of operation and the
general practices of the tax
payer. He promptly told the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21

land, air and sea. Italian fac
tories are today turning out
orders for United States and
NATO deliveries. It seems
likely that the military would
revolt against any Red cadre
that succeeded in. selling the
government.
What of the political insta-
bility of Italy? In the last
election the Christian Demo-
cratic Party and it's center
bloc lost" by only IS. 1000 votes.
But did it really lose? Over
million votes were contested.
The recount shows that the
Christian Democrats, accord
ing to their election law,
should have had IS per cent of
the Parliament. However, by
their own volition the Demo-
cratic bloc has not deemed it
expedient to force this issue
now.
In 1913 the Democratic Par
ties obtained about 81 per cent
Of the vote while the Commu-
mist and their Nenni- Socialist
cohorts garnered 81 per cent.
The remaining 7 per cent went
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21
Metropolitan Scene
A 'Four-Letter Word
Describes Tax Plans.
By John w. Thompson, Jr.

obtaining interest bearing
loans from Uncle Sam. What's
so practical about pay-as-
you-go when the city is trying
to recoup from war-imposed
shortages and restrictions?
Conceding the joint commit
tee proposals may save some
millions in interest, this COL
umn finds in the comment Of
Chairman William E. Leahy
of the Citizens Advisory
Council the real answer to
the Joint committee. Said Mr..
Leahy: These new taxes
make the people presently
here bear the full load of cap
ital outlay for benefits which
will be enjoyed by others over
the next 40 or so years"
But the joint committee
recommendations must go be-
fore the full District commit
tees on both sides of the
Capitol and ultimately to the
floors on both sides. And
there is every reason to be-
lieve that the joint committee
plan may not be the one fin-
ally enacted.
Some of the major in
creases suggested by the joint
committee have been in the
increased rates and lowered
exemptions of the sales tax.
How these will fare in the
House in an election year is
something upon which to
speculate.
On the other hand, there has
never been any reluctance on
the part of the House to hike
the real estate rate, which the
joint committee has recon-
mended be boosted a nickel
per $500 Of assessed value to
1920.
You may yet see the sales.
tax proposals Topped of in
transit with the real estate tax
increase left in or even raised
higher. Anybody interested
better get busy.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21

proper bureau authorities. Al
though the taxpayer had fled
returns. he failed to set down
the proper amounts and did
not give his true worth. He was
prosecuted and $1,000 in back
taxes was recovered.
. The chauffeur of a wealthy
businessman was the cause of
100000 in taxes being re-
covered. The businessman
charged all his personal ex-
penses to the business. He
lived in luxury hotels and had
his personal secretary with
him.
Internal Revenue men got
from the chauffeur the names
Of the hotels, dates. business
associates and personal rela-
tionships of the culprit. But,
further. the business secretary
Of the wealthy businessman
was close personal friend of
the chauffeur and so was able
to tell all about the bookkeep-
ing practices. This secretary
and the chauffeur shared the
$500 reward.
. An informer told on his
neighbor and $4,000 was col
lected in back taxes. An in
vestigaton was made over
several past years. The tax
payer had failed to keep
proper records Of numerous
operations. and had filed re-
turns for only a few of those
years. This case led T-men
to number of other individ-
uals who were cheating Uncle
Sam at the cashiers cage.
. Another taxpayer made de-
auctions for salaries and bonus
payments to employees. But
the actual sums were returned
to the taxpayer, who retained
the funds. He drew checks,
payable to the employees. had
them indorse them. had the
checks cashed and the pro-
ceeds returned to him. In
addition. this employer UNI
derstated his actual receipts
and overstated his expenses.
Q The former employe Of q
deceased taxpayer disclosed a
very substantial part of his
assets had not been reported
for the assessment of estate
taxes. The decedent's BUSH
ness affairs had been so han
died from the inception of the
income tax law until 1888 that
less than $500 in taxes had
been paid. But hundreds of
thousands of dollars were
amassed. In this case the
Government recovered $l15.-
600 in taxes
And SO it goes.
For those who don't like
the idea of some one informing
the tax people on his fellow
man, here is a cheering note:
Like every one else who has
income from whatever source
derived" the tax. tipster has
to pay income tax on his
reward.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21

Inc average District tax
payers reaction to the revenue
program recommended by the
Joint congressional committee
handling the public works pro-
gram can be summed up in
one four-letter word:
Ouch!
The Commissioners took to
the Capitol a proposal to raise
some SIS million in boosted
water rates, an increased gaSo-
line tax. new sewer levy and
a few other items to finance
the water and highway prof.
ectS in the works plan. No.
body argued about these. They
also took proposed tax in
creases totaling $45 million to
offer as the Districts share
in paying for the general fund
projects in the works plan.
That's when the argument
began. When it was over late
last Wednesday, the Commits
sioners had gone down with
their $4.5 million ship and the
joint committee announced
new taxes totaling SOS million,
or more than twice as much.
Not that this turn of events
was entirely unexpected. Ever
since the city heads went into
their first closed session with
the joint committee February
10, there was pretty clear in
dication that their recon-
mendations would not be con-
sidered adequate.
Three Things Responsible
Probably three things were
largely responsible for the
joint committee recommended
ton:
/. They had before them a
report from District Budget
Officer Walter Fowler that be-
ginning in 1857 the city would
show a deficit that by 1867
would total $102 million.
2. A feeling by some COM
mittee members that Congress
would more readily approve
the proposed SO million annual
increase in the Federal pay
ment if local taxes were
higher than the Commission
ers proposed.
8. A desire to keep the city
on a pay-as-you-go basis that
would reduce the need for in
terest-bearing Federal loans.
The first reason scarcely can
be considered valid for adding
so much to the tax load at
this time. The joint commit
tee is aware that the Budget
Bureau will not allow the city
to send to the Capitol an I'M
balanced budget. If Mr.. Fow-
ler's predicted deficit mate
rializes. then will be the time
to send balancing tax pro-
poSals to the Hill. The danger
in a surplus is that Congress
may decide the city can afford
to 60 it alone and cut down
on the Federal share.
AS for the second reason.
the White House considered
the Commissioners plan COM
pletely adequate to justify the
50 million Federal payment
increase.
Loans From U. S.
And, In the third instance,
the administration was per-
fectly agreeable to the city
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21

call also for big. quick tax re-
auctions. Certainly. with
drawal of aid from the NATO
countries might effect tenn
porary tax relief. But at what
cost? The cost could not be
calculated In billions but in
AUTHORIZATIONS of Ameri-
can lives that win be Sacri-
feed II the United States does
not fulfil its commitments.
II italy goes behind the
Iron Curtain it may take not
years but centuries to undo
the damage done by abandon
ing it to the Moscow master
plan.
How likely is Italy to 60
Communist? Actually. those
who are chanting Italy's re-
QUEEN are for the most part
casual visitors who spend two
weeks or two months in a
strange land among people
they do not understand. Those
who know Italy better do not
write her of as q lost territory.
The government led by
Italy's Democratic Party has
been firmly and consistently
anti Communist. It has sup
ported European unification
and NATO. It is committed to
passage Of the European army
plan. Russia has five times
vetoed Italy's admission into
the United Nations.
OF course, there are facts
which cause alarm. Italy is
still beset with postwar eco
nomic problems. There are
about is million active Com
muniSt Party members. Yet
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21

to the Monarchists and Neo-
Fascists. In 1853 the Demo-
cratic Parties received just
under so per cent of the in
complete count, the leftist
parties IS per cent and ex-
tremiSts of the right approx
mately Is per cent.
Right now Italy's big need
is for a strong leader and a
good government. Premier
Scelba, if he maintains his
premiership, probably will pro-
vide just such strong leader
ship.
There are three chief rea-
sons why I am convinced Italy
will not 60 behind the Iron
Curtain.
. First, the people them
selves. While wanting eco
nomic security and a place in
the sun, the Italian hates war.
Even the saber-rattling Mus
solini did not convert Italy
into a warlike nation. And the
Italian knows that the fatal
step TO communism might be
the prelude to conflict. He has
problems, to be sure, but feels
quite correctly that these can
be solved in other ways. Italy
can, with a fair measure of CO.
operation, solve all its internal
economic problems, including
a redistribution of land-save
one. The problem of over
population can be met only
through cooperation with
other countries, particularly
in this hemisphere. Many
Latin American nations are
encouraging the industrious
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21
Red Menace to Italy Not So Great as Pictured Observer Says

Italian to immigrate. But
more need q haven.
. Second, religion. The aver
age Italian walks through life
as If Peter and Paul and the
early Christian martyrs lived
next door. In Italy, two thou
sand years is as yesterday.
Two things have enkindled
the fires of Italian devotion
in recent years: The leader.
ship Of the Pope and the pres
ence in every village and on
every wall of the beloved Ma
donna. There Is some anti
clericalism, true; but this is
not q symptom of irreligion.
The question arises: Are the
Italians who vote Red Com
munist- Catholics" or Gath
olic-C Communists? A large
percentage who vote the Com
munist ticket are voting for
what they believe is q full
dinner pail. They are Com
munistS of the stomach" No
Italian likes to look into the
faces of hungry children.
There are, Of course, Cath
Ole Communists" who give lip
service to religion but prac-
tice Marxist morality. The
Italian who votes Communist
with serious intent Is, Of
course, accommodated by
the church. q
In Italy, as in the United
States, shrewd politicians
sometimes confuse issues.
Togliatti and the other. Mos
cow-trained Communist lead
ers are shrewd: much shrewd-
er than some we have sent to
extricate Italy from its plight.
But it is a fair bet they are
wrong about the Reds strength.
. Third, American support.
Ambassador Luce, who has
become the chief target Of
Communist hate programs,
states that our economic as
sistance has created l million
jobs. Italians know that II 1t
had not been for United States
aid, unemployment could be
that much worse. And they
know that without such aid.
Italy's position is precarious.
At Nettuno Beach, at Flor
ence, and in other historic
spots are the graves Of Amer
lean soldiers who died in
World War II to stop. black
totalitarianism. Is it not
cheaper to stop Red totali-
tarianism with money than
with blood? That question
will be answered partly in
Washington. OF course, a
nation must work out its own
salvation. just as must an in
dividual, but where the liberty
of an entire nation is at stake
there is an added reason why
it must be helped:
Edmund Burke wrote, "The
only thing necessary for the
triumph of evil is for good
men to do nothing"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21

the government has encour-
aged the establishment Of
American troop bases. Opera
tions of our 9th Fleet would
be seriously hampered with
out cooperation from Italy.
It is possible that blood may
now in the streets of Italy be-
fore the tide of Communist
expansion is arrested. Ital-
ians are fearful of that even
tuality-but reconciled to it.
Italian internal security. under
Mario Scelba, was organized to
combat any Communist mill
tary or parliamentary coup.
Communist leaders and their
techniques and plans are
known. The nti.Communist
celere - jeep-riding. helmeted
riot police-are ready for a
showdown.
Will the anti-Communist
forces fight if necessary?
Italy's military leaders are
definitely anti Communist.
They expect that the friends
of Italy will carry out COM
mitments for material and, If
necessary, reinforcement on
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21

6-yr. total S31.O95.259 S1.630.7I4
Don't gather from all this
that dishonesty among Ameri-
can taxpayers is rampant. It
isn't. No less an authority than
Commissioner T. Coleman
Andrews told the Canadian
Tax Foundation at Toronto
last November, with no little
pride, that 81 per cent Of this
Nations taxpayers feel it their
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21
Why q ConfIict-of-Interests Law?

The controversy of the past
few weeks over confirmation
of Albert c. BeeSon as a men,
Der Of the National Labor Re-
lations Board again points up
one Of the biggest stumbling
blocks in recruiting men from
private industry for Govern
ment posts.
Since its adoption In 1917.
the "conflict-of- interest" law
has made 1t more difficult for
business executives to enter
public service. The barrier is
personal sacrifice in the form
of lower salary.
Members of Congress agree
that the law is serving its pur-
pose-to discourage the APP
pointment of men who could
use their Government posts to
benefit their own business in
terests. Legislators are particu-
larry wary Of businessman-ap-
pointees whose Federal job
would involve the letting Of
Government contracts.
The 37-year-old conflict-of-
interest statute provides that
mo person. association or
corporation shall make any
contribution to. or in any way
supplement the salary of. any
Government official or employe
for the services performed by
him for the Government of
the United States"
A second provision. known
as the lawyer" clause. places
restrictions on the activities Of
Government attorneys after
they leave Federal service.
The SoIory CIouse
The full effects of the SAL
airy clause have been widely
felt, particularly in the past
few years. The Beeson case is
a prime example.
y. The 47-year-old labor-man-
. agement executive was nomi-
mated by the President on
January Z. After several days
of interrogation by the Senate
Labor Committee, at which
time Mr.. Beeson was referred
to by Democratic members as
purely a company man" and
by John L. Lewis as "a self
styled union buster" the Sem
ate group recommended con-
f1rmation by a TO partisan
vote.
Before the Senate could act.
however, the conf1ict-of-inter-
est charge was made by COM
mittee Democrats.
Since the board appoint
ment will expire next Deem
Der Is. Mr.. Beeson had sought
a leave of absence rather than
separation from his job as in
dustrial relations vice presi-
dent of the Food. Machinery
81 Chemical Corp. of San
Jose, Calf. Thus he would
have been free to rejoin the
firm late this year without the
loss Of company benefits ac-
crued through his years Of
service.
Committee members. how
ever. said the conflict-of-in-
tereSt law would not permit
such an agreement. They de-
manded that Mr.. Beeson sever
all connections with the firm.
The appointee finally agreed,
but even then a close confirma-
ton vote of 45-42 showed Sem
ate reluctance.
Mr.. BeeSOn, meanwhile,
pointed out what the forced
resignation was costing him.
The NLRB post will pay the
appointee approximately $4,000
less than the $4,000 annual
salary he was paid by the San
Jose firm. He also had to for
felt pension rights totaling
about $1,000.
The Beeson experience was
nothing new to the Eisenhower
administration. It first en-
countered the conflict law early
last year with the nomination
Of Charles E. Wilson as Secre-
tary of Defense, q post involv-
Ing countless contractual
duties on behalf Of the Gov.
eminent.
The price Mr.. Wilson paid