Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 19, Number 32, DeMotte, Jasper County, 8 July 1949 — Pulman Rally Protests Tax "Shakedown" [ARTICLE]

Pulman Rally Protests Tax "Shakedown"

Farmers' Income Survey Is Under Way In Twelve Counties Greencastle, Ind., July 6. Nearly 500 Putnam County farmers met tonight in Bainbridge High School northeast of here at a rally to protest “shake-down methods” of Federal tax agents. The meeting was called by the Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc., as a result of complaints that a farm-to-farm canvass by deputy collectors of the Internal Revenue Bureau is “ frightening” some farmers into paying more taxes than they rightfully owe. Anson S. Thomas, Farm Bureau tax expert, said revenue agents are basing tax assessments on farm bank accounts which do not slow expenses. “Some farmers who don’t know their rights, get scared and pay whatever is asked of them,” Thomas said. Thomas cited the case of one farmer who was billed for $6,000 after an examination of bank records. The assessment was reduced to $2,700 after the farmer showed tax agents they had not allowed certain expenses, he said. Hassil E. Schenck, bureau president, said Indiana tax officials told him at a conference yesterday bank records are used only to varify records submitted by farmers. “It may be that some (Federal) field men have not made too diplomatic an approach,” Schenck said. Wilbur O. Plummer, assistant Indiana collector of internal revenue, said 24 deputies presently are canvassing 12 counties throughout the state.