Milford chronicle., 1957-12-27
EXCESSIVE TAXES ARE NOT THE
ANSWER


ing emphatic attention to the unsoundness
of income tax rates which, because they are
excessive, seriously impede the growth and
expansion of the economy. Industry has adj
vocated a gradual reduction of these incen-
tive-destroying rates on individuals and cor
porations over five year period, to be finan-
ced not by reducing the Governments reve-
nue. but by making use OF the increased in
come from growth to lower these tax barriers
to assure continuing growth.
The scientific and military situation the
nation faces today is not one which will be
resolved in year or two. 1t will take many
years and perhaps decades before these is
sues are settled. During this time our econ
omy must grow and expand on a sound basis
if we are to advance our standard of living,
insure the nations military superiority, and
meet our worldwide commitments now and
in the years aheao. Therefore, serious
thought must be given to the forces which
motivate our free economy.
While industry seeks no tax cuts which
would endanger national defense, we be-
lieve the present roadblocks to the full flow
ering of the initiative, daring and productive
ability of the American people must be re-
duced if our economy is to meet the demands
which will be made upon it in the years ahead.
The Sadlak- -Herlong Bill is made-to-order
for the present situation. 1t is not predicated
on budget reduction, but on the revenue in
crease which comes from economic growth.
It's annual modest scheduled rate reductions
would not preclude the ALLEGATION of needed
funds to the defense budget, provided saw
ings are made in the non-defense categories
of Federal spending The scheduled rate re-
ductions can be spread over nine years should
a greater need develop for defense funds than
is now apparent
To meet the nations military and econom-
l. IL L - L.
sound defenSe-requires that we all rise
above partianship, self-seeking and personal
bias Whether we do this or not is crucial
question for the future of this country.
&S@S<
ARMED SERVICES AND PAY
1t is reliably reported that the Admins
trations military pay bill will contain the
essential features of the now-famed Cordi-
ner Committee recommendations. In brief,
the committee recommended that pay in
creases be provided armed service person
mel in special and technical classifcations.
This was deemed necessary to enable the
service to retain higher percentage of en-
listed and technically-capable personnel,
now leaving military service at an alarming
rate. They are leaving at such a rate as to
make it more economical for the country to
increase the pay of technicians than to con-
tinue to spend great sums of time and money
constantly training replacements for those
not reenliSting.
The Administration has repeatedly aban-
doned the plar, to provide all members of the
armed services a six per cent pay increase.
But, even though this proposal has been turn
ed aside, some 80 per cent of all service men
and women stand to gain pay increases under
the Cordiner Committee recommendations.
The cost of the increases is expected to
be about $410,000,O00 annually even though
the flat increase for all (and retirement in
creases) are not to be sought from Congress.
Congress, in our opinion, should and will
enact legislation in line with the suggestions
of the Cordiner Committee-which studied
the military pay picture over a long period.
We are late in getting around to adopting
well-planned and flexible pay scale based on
merit and qualifications rather than rank
and time served, almost completely.
&E@~
COMING: 1858
In spite of anything you can do about it,
it is only a question of time, and very little
of that, until 1858 arrives 1t will be criti-
cal year for the United States in several
ways.
First, with Congress meeting on the 7th
of January and with decisions to be made
about security, rocket and missile programs,
1868 is to be year when momentous decis-
ions will be made in the field of prepared
ness. These decisions may affect all of us
in some way or another.
The year 1858 will be a crucial one for
labor and industry. Labor is going to de-
mand increases and industry, fearing lull
in 1858, is ready to resist these demands with
more determination than usual.
Next year will be critical one for Pres
ident Eisenhower. Should he suffer another
illness, it is widely believed that he will step
down from office. In addition, the year 1853
will be a critical one for both Germany and
Sentiment in Germany is growing that
that country should be a neutral country,
that this is the only hope for unification.
With France still weak (although prepared
to detonate an atom bomb in 1859, the with
drawal of West Germany from the NATO
would be serious blow for the democracies.