Lehman's Unjust Tax Proposals
Waldman, Louis
By Louis Waldman Lehman's Unjust Tax Proposals Would Increase Burden* of the Worker., While, Lea Ting; Untapped Vest Reeenroirt -of Poeeible ReTenueo—Om Initiation of the Wont Kind—The...
...We usually hang a bannr or oil cloth sign down front the top rail and fasten a flag to one side of the platform—the side away from the audience so as to keep the flag out oi the speaker's face...
...3) Political Action, and adds that it is the "one Big Industrial-Political Organization to function on the thr'c fields" mentioned...
...briefly something about the organization under whose auspices the meeting is being held, the purpose of the meeting, and the name of the speaker and hia topic...
...the platforms are easily made and are durable and inexpensive...
...The other sketch describes a large platform that we use fofl huge rallies...
...The same principle could be applied to the normal income tax rates...
...Many Socialist measures are ls> eluded In the Government's pro* gram of public works...
...These designs can be used by any carpenter...
...There are practicable alternatives...
...However, since so many of us still believe that street meetings are effective, and as we must and will have them, let us have good ones...
...It elevates the sneaker sid feet above the ground and has room fot a microphone and a couple of chairs...
...To promote solidarity of ideas, members and study clubs will be supplied with two books, Bellamy's "Equality" and "Looking Backward.' When they finish these books they will be directed to the works of Marx, Engcls, Ferri, Bishop Brown, DeLeon, Lenin and "others...
...But even an unimportant meeting may be damaged by ,an inexperienced chairman...
...and Dem...
...Come out, you rank and file members of the CP., S.P., F.-L.P., 8.L.P., Liberty, ^p...
...At such a "mass" meeting, the chairman should prepare a short "keynote" address outlining the issue to be discussed and the reason for the gathering, and then let the speakers elaborate on the subject...
...As a result the Government voted last week that no machinery is to be used in road work...
...They frequently stimulate a fine interest in our message and an enthusiasm for our program...
...Such people need every penny that they earn to support themselves properly...
...In a hall meeting at which a lecturer is to be introduced, you must be brief end efficient...
...Lermond of Maine, and its first local unit is the Knox County local of the Faimer-Labor Party of that state which endorsed the "Brotherhood plan" last September...
...Nevertheless, he should not make too long a speech, and go into a detailed or involved argument My advice to beginners is ta take a short topic, some item in the current news, some episode in our daily happenings, and interpret it in the light of our philosophy and program...
...Be careful to state the name and topic correctly...
...Often, he must gather a crowd for the main speaker...
...A few words of welcome...
...The parity has b*rt 18.10 kroner to the pound...
...If you cannot trust your memory, write this out and read it to the audience...
...To avoid the use of this device on the 1% tax, he recommends that it be made illegal to deduct capital loases from the gross Income subject to the 1% tax...
...The executive of the Danish Employers' Association voted last week to post notices of a lockout when negotiations with the workers looking toward wage cuts of 20 per cent broke down...
...At the end of this book I am adding two "blue-prints" of the most practical types of street meeting platforms...
...The Chorus of Chaos I JN'DFR this heading may be included the "United Brotherhood of Labor" which presents a Declaration of Principles, Constitution and Platform, and calls for volunteers "to act as the Advance Guard of the Brotherhood.'' Its main sponsor is Norman \V...
...Stauning was able to get his legislation through the Folkething or Lower House, in which the Socialist-Radical cabinet controls a sub* stantial majority...
...To meet the Agrarian party's da* mand the Government fixed a sterling quotation of 22.50 Danish kroner, while a compromise wal struck on interest rates on agri* cultural property and on taxes and public works...
...At the same time, the Ministry of Education requested legislation to add one year to the compulsory school attendance period, not only as a measure of public welfare, but also to check the increase of unemployment by slowing up the addition of apprentices to the labor market...
...As the audience wants to n* th* speaker as well as hear him, be must be properly elevated...
...The Socialist Party Is deter, mined to lead a vigorous fight of the poor against tax burdens which they should not now be call* upon to bear...
...Tot example, s single man with a $1,500 income who now para no tai will have to pay $25, while a married man with a wife and two children dependent upon him for support will now have to pay $39...
...State Chairman of thi Socialist Party, aimlifzrd the Ishriin proposals, fo"nd then- nu'ud clan Irytslatton beenr-g on the impoverished «ter<r*ri and leading untapped vast reserrotre of wealth, and wrote the folloving as an opening blast in the Party's campaign for a more equitable system: QOVERXOR L E H M A N'S tax recommendations are designed to case the tax burden of the rich at a time when they are most able to bear it...
...The audience came to hear him and not you...
...The Brotherhood declares that the workers are woefully divided and it proposes snother division to get them all united...
...The .smaller one is the familiar "step-ladder" platform used by our New York City branches...
...A chairman can also make an excellent short talk on the why and wherefore of out-door propaganda, something about oar organization, IU work and varied activities...
...But In the Landthing, or Upper House, the Socialists and Radicals have only 8i mebers to 80 of the opposition, an| it was necessary to include inflation featurea in the measure to insure the success of the Socialist relief measures...
...Similarly with the $100,000 income...
...The chairman should resist the temptation to make an additional speech after each speaker and he should try to present each speaker with a terse introduction...
...A box or a chair will not do...
...Street meetings often are but a cheap form of diversion to audiences, and generally cater to stragglers...
...It is questionable whether they are as effective as hail meetings, radio talks, canvassing and literature distribution...
...Sophistry "Governor Lehman in hia message suggested that increasing the ratee on the higher incomes would not yield sufficient revenues because the rich would be encouraged to sell securities at much lower prices than originally paid and evade the tax by deducting the losses thus sustained over a period of yean from current taxable income...
...Make tha pi*** form look colorful and attractive...
...At a rr-eoting where there are several speakers, the function of a chairman is different...
...The concrete proposal of the Goveminent is that all contracts new existing be extended until Feb* ruary 1, 1934...
...To have a big meet* Ing you must have plenty of space for a crowd to stand and yet sot badly block traffics...
...Don't over-praise the speaker and please don't tell the audience all about what the lecturer Is going to say...
...A Manual for Socialist Speakers by August Claessens Chairmanship The average beginner generally gets bis first chance ot speak by acting as chairman...
...The Danish Employers' Association hastily canceled lockout notices, posted last week, and from now on it will be illegal to cut wages or to lock workers out...
...In Great Britain he pays 52...
...They would still have mora to live on than any sanely organized social order would tolerate...
...The Technique of Out-Door Meetings The value of street meetings Is often exaggerated...
...Don't put the platform too close to the corner...
...He points out that this partially explains the drop in the income tax yield at the present time...
...If you are given 'he chance to act as chairman, you may as well be a good one, and you can ii( the following suggestions: always bear in mind that a chairman is only a presiding officer...
...Select a street corner where the sidewalk is wide and where you have the best light...
...Stauning spoke over the radio last Sunday, saying "A lockout in times like these would be madness, and Would l)e a disaster for Denmark...
...Before a single additional dollar is taken from the poor by Governor Lehman's tax proposals, let those in the higher brackets double* their contributions to the support of the state government...
...The tax on the $100,000 income Is increased only 23%, whereas the tax on the $4,000 income is increased 333%— 15 times aa much...
...To contract purchasing power at a time when its expansion is necessary in order to ease the burden on the rich whose surplus incomes are today choking the banks with money which can find no safe investment is a disastrous social and economic policy...
...Good chuirm.inship is a fine art and at Important meetings it is obvious that a beginner should not1 be used...
...political parties, and of the A. F. of L., Farmers' Union, Grange, etc...
...mier Thorwald Stauning, Den* mark has gone further in the direction of Socialist legislation on a national scale than any country ia history atill under capitalist economy...
...Only a few rows of people can stand around and those behind them will dislocate their necks trying to get a glimpse of the orator...
...SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT BARS ALL WAGE SLASHES UUDER the lash of Socialist Pre...
...The present state income tsx is comparatively light upon the well-to-do...
...He is usually given time for a longer speech...
...Even when added to the present federal rates, the combined tax would still be considerably lesa have $60,000 to meet his living exthan that paid by the wealthy in Great Britain...
...These are all "factional parties and unions" and they are invited to Join the Brotherhood faction...
...What Can Be Levied For example, the Individual with a $50,000 Income in Great Britain paya a tax of about 45...
...Doubling the rates in this fashion would yield $40,000,000—6 million leas than the estimated yield from lowering the exemptions and the fiat 1% tax on gross income with no deductions for personal allowances and capital losses...
...the individual with a $100,000 income would penses...
...1-1 Herbert H...
...Then, of course, our own members also get a grand thrill out of a successful meeting...
...It would Increase the yield by doubling the rates more than $40,000,000 since this estimate is predicted upon experience which has previously allowed the rich to evade their responsibilities by charging oft* capital losses...
...Our proposed increase in New York 8tate would bring the combined tax in New York State to 24%—dote to one-half aa much...
...The individual with a $50,000 income would still have $38,000 to live on...
...under our proposal he would pay 40...
...This is sophistry of the worst sort...
...His proposals violate the fundamental principle of progressive taxation that no tax shall l>e paid below the minimum income required to maintain standards of decency and comfort, and that the rates shall increase with the the of the ircome...
...This is particularly tree in a period like the present whea almost every worker makes some contribution to the support of aa unemployed relative...
...The present rates of 2% on the first $10,000 of income, 4% on the next $40,000, and 0% on income above $60,000 could be readily doubled to 4%, 8% and 12...
...Unemployment has reached 200,000 in this country of 8,550,000 population, and use of machinery ia threatening to increase the number rapidly...
...It will present to the Legislature in the near future other recommendations as an alternative to the sales tax...
...Go back at least 50 feet from the Intersection of the itreeta so that many more people can stand before you...
...Hi* "honest budget," Kit* proposals for sales taxes end ioiter income tax exemption*, i« %ffore the pro pie of his it alt, and because of his high standing as a banker and a "liberal" hit tat proposals cannot fail to be of vital importance to the people of ertry state...
...Inequitable Taxes Moreover, percentage Increases in the higher brackets of incomes are much less than the increases on the small incomes...
...Untapped Vest Reeenroirt -of Poeeible ReTenueo—Om Initiation of the Wont Kind—The Socialiat Aheraatjve...
...To achieve these results, I offer the following hints which I have learned during some twenty-two years of "soapboxing": First, the location...
...mailt »,iiho,.n,tt banker ? *« u yottr nor nt Sew York, says *« u reedy te tal» »»» rap" for a new syolew •/ taxation...
...Next...
...Street meetings are useful in advertising our cause and organization...
...2) Industrial Unions...
...It starts with three departments which it lists as (1) Cooperatives...
...These increased incomes taxes on the poor, plus the proposed sales tax, are auicidal to economic recovery because they reduce the purchasing power of the great sasesaa of people, Moat intelligent economists are persuaded that billions of dollars of new buying power must And their way Into the pockets of the workers befere the army of the Jobless can go back on a payroll again...
...It is light, easily carried and elevates the speaker three feet above the ground...
...Am ways use some decorations on the platform1, a large, clean flag (remember, a large flat has mora red in It than a small one) tore* bunting, signs and posters...
...A chairman at a street meeting has still a different task...
...Nothing stands in the way of such a united labor movement but your party and union loaders and officials," it declares...
...When well arranged and advertised, a street meeting can bo conducted as an educational forum and it can bring new members into our party...
Vol. 15 • February 1933 • No. 5
