Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 46, Number 133, 15 April 1921 — Page 1

EICHMOND

PAIXABTXTM

VOL. XLVI., No. 133 l attadtiun. BaL 1831. Consolidated with Sun -Telegram, ltOT. RICHMOND, IND., FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 15, 1921. SINGLE COPY 3 CENTS

TAX STAND OF HARDING IS APPROVED Consensus of Intention of Republican Leaders Supports Two Definite Recommendations on Taxation Subject. INTERPRETS VIEWS

BY MARK SI I.I.IVAN WASHINGTON, D. C, April 15 I

The consensus of indention on the j raeetir-g win De aitenaea mrgeiy . t, vi- i.i..r, i tV,j members of various civic organizapart of Republican leaders in the ,rae.a in tho y,nwint, nf

house of senate supports the two defi n 1 1 e recommendations President Harding made on the subject of taxation. One of these recommendations was specific. He said, "We are committed to the repeal of the excess profits tax." The other was less definite, but no well informed hearer misunderstood it. President Harding called for "The revision or repeal of those taxes which have become unproductive and are so artificial and burdensome as to defeat their own purpose." By these words everybody understood President Harding meant that the income and surtaxes on very large incomes are turning out to defeat their own purpose, and should, there- j fore, be repealed. This opinion is unanimous among all the leaders who will be responsible for the new tax program. The Republicans draw the line between large incomes and smaller ones is ?SC,0O0 a year. On ihe so-called incomes of $80,000 a year or less the income and surtaxes run from roughly 40 per cent at $80,000 a year, down to 4 per cent on $1,000 a year, on the big incomes, from $80,000 a year upward, the income and surtaxes are roughly, from 40 to 70 per cent. It is on these big incomes that it is proposed to make reductions, so that the highest rate paid by anybody will be 40 per cent. Defeat Own Purposes. The purpose of the reduction on these incomes is not to make things easier for the iich. It is because the r'cli have found it profitable to put their fortunes wholly or largely into liberty bonds or into state and municipal bonds which are exempt from taxation. That is what President Har ding meant by saying these higher

tasen are so artificial and nuraen-iager

Now, if these latger incomes taxes and the txecess profits taxes are to he rmralpd and the exDertatiou m'

Washington ts universal that they will i council will set the date for the spebe tb next question is, whtre shall cial election at its meeting Friday

we get the taxes that ioinnriy we j have been getting from these sources?) To this question two answers are prr posed. Oneis that the rate of taxation on small incomes shall be increased. This suggestion will strike the army of ema!l income tax payers as startling. But the fact is it is seriously discussed as the alternative in case tne sales tax snouia iau. Propose Sales Tax. The other answer is the form of taxation called the sales tax or the turn over tax. The tax, in its simplest form in the form in which Senator fcmoot of Utah introduced it provides for a flat tax of 1 per cent on "all goods, wares, or merchandise sold." Even in the simple form to which Senator Smoot has tried to reduce the idea, there are several exceptlous or exemptions. One is that a merchant or other person whose total gross tales are under $6,000 a year should be exempt. This would leave most farmers free of the tax. Another exemption is that goods sold for export should not. be taxed. How this new proposal will fare in congress cannot be foretold. Senator Smoot is the chief advocate of it, and it is no secret that even some of his associates on th? finance committee .o not share his conviction, the reasons animating these doubters have little to do with the merits of the tax, or with its practical effectiveness. The hesitation is based on doubts whether it can be put through congross and fears lest it should turn out to be so unpopular as to hurt the Republican party. Expect Opposition (Q Undoubtedly, among the rank and file of congress, and especially of the lower house, there will be much opposition. This opposition is supposed to reflect the prejudices of that figure potent in all political considerations, who is called "the little fellow". But the fact is the great majority of the "little fellows" are paying very considerable income taxes now. The only possible hope of any relief for these small income tax payers lies in the passage of the sales tax. Many radicals oppose the sales tax because it violates their most ancient contentions that there should be no taxation on fundamentals of "food, clothes or shelter ". If the Republicans had the courage that their immense majority ought to give them they would face boldly this ancient plea against taxes on consumption. Inevitably taxes must fall either on consumption or on non-consumption There is no escape from that. In the present state of the world it is precisely consumption that ought to be taxed, and not consumption that should be rewarded by exemption from excessive taxation. Non-consumption is merely another word for savings. Men should eontribute to the expense of society in proportion as they consume the work of society. At a time when the world has recently destroyed so much of its n stored up goods, and when there is " so much need for another accumulation of goods to replace the waste of war through saving and self denial the objections to taxes on consumption have not the same weight as they had before the war. (Copyright 1921 by the New York Evening Post, Inc.)

CITIES FARING WELL IN THEIR CAMPAIGNS TO SECURE HOME RULE

Preparations for holding special elections to pass on the question of the adoption of the city manager form of government are being made in about a dozen cities in Indiana. Most of these have filed petitions with the city clerks asking for elections arid a number of others are circulating petitions. Several cities have had the date for the special election et by the city councils for June 7, this being the first Tuesday after the first Monday I in June, and 30 days after the first I of May, which is provided in the law. The date for an election in Richmond will be determined at the meet ing of the common council next Mon day night. It is expected that this; .. 1 iA J V. ! tions interested in the holding of a special election. Sufficient Names. City Clerk William Stevens stated Friday morning that he had gone over 'Yiday morning mat ne naa gone over he petition presented to him last , Monday and that he was assured thac there were sufficient bonafide voters signed to warrant his certifying the petition to council. He stated that i few names had been signed that were not according to the law but that there was without doubt 1,011 signatures, the number required here. Civic organizations over the state have endorsed the movement in favor of the city manager plan, according to reports. Supporters of various candidates for political offices in cities seem to be the leaders against the move. Candidates Oppose. The common council in Michigan City took two days to consider the

matter 01 caning an election to vu , American Federation of Labor. In on the commission- manager form of j this group are the "big four" the orgovernment. It was decided by them , ganization of engineers, firemen. Thursday to call the election to be ; trainmen and conductors. It also afheld Tuesday. June 7. Candidates of fects telegraphers, clerks, shop emboth political parties were organized . ployes, maintenance of way employes,

to ngm tne move, according to paper dispatches. A bitter fight has arisen in Marlon over the proposed adoption of the city manager form. A petition was filed with the city clerk last Monday. Princeton filed a petition for a city manager form of government this week. The move has been sponsored there by leaders in both the Republi can and Democratic parties, it is j reported. Young Men Take Lead The Young Men's Business club of New Albany took the lead in the circulation of a petition for a city manager form of government. A great number of names were signed to the petition there. Plans for a vigorous campaign have been started. Leaders in the move for a city mantorm or government in aiaaisou secured' over half the" number oT vot ers at the last election to sign the petition circulated in that city, ac cording to reports from there. The night. Muncie and Anderson have petitions on file for both, the commission and city manager forms of government. This has put the question in a new light in these cities as Attorney General Lesh has held that each must be voted on. The common councils of J these cities have not determined on the dates for elections. I RENEW MOVEMENT TO ENLARGE HOUSE WiqHiNfiTnv Anrtl 1 rtpnr

sentatives who made an unsuccessful i of tne general public; W. L. Park, Chiattempt last season to increase the cago, a railway representative, and J. size of the house to 4S3 members have !J- Forrester, Washington, D. C, one

began a compromise movement to boost the membership to 460. Chairman Siegel, of the census committee, said today there was growing sentiment in favor of an increase, and predicted that a membership of 460 would meet with approval. A number of representatives from states that would lose seats if no increase were authorized and who voted for maintaining the present size of the house, now favor a compromise, he added. During the last session the house voted to hold its membership to 43." reapportioned on the basis of the 1920 census. The bill died in the senate. Mr. Siegel said he probably would in - j troduce a 'hm in a few days to in.j crease the number of representatives to 460. He already has introduced a resolution, calling for a constitutional amendment that would permanently : limit the size of the house to 500

members. Representative Blanton, i tnat the railroad laDor hoard "evidentDemocrat, Texas, has introduced a bill ' had Deen influenced by big busirpducinsr its size to 304 members. i r-"s" ln ordering abrogation of exist-

LEGION SENDS ITALIAN WAR VET TO ITALY Joe De Meo, Italian citizen of Richmond, who contracted tuberculosis while serving with the Italian army in the world war, is to be sent back to Italy through the efforts of the local legion post and the Italian consul at Cincinnati. "D. Mr. De Meo served many days in the trenches during the war. He has been able to do onlv a very little work since his discharge, and has received much medical care. American legion members here have voted to help send him back to Italy to live with his old friend;:. To do this, the legion will pay the expenses of Mr. De Meo from here to New York, and give him enough over this amount to care for all needs. The Italian consul at Cincinnati has agreed to furnish him with free transportation from New York to Naples, Italy. Word from the Cincinnati Council is being awaited before he is sent. REJECT RESOLUTION U. S. TROOPS WITHDRAWAL MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 15. A resolution urging the United States government to withdraw its armed forces stationed in this city was rejected by the Nicaraguan senate yesterday.

RAIL EDICT TO ADVANCE SETTLEMENT Both Railroad Executives and Labor Leaders Declare Decision of Labor Board Will Aid Final Agreement.

GOMPERS IS SCORNFUL CHICAGO, April 15. Both railroad .. Cm executives ancf labor leaders today declared the decision of the United States raOroad labor board abrogating the national agreements would materially advance the effort to arrive at an agreement satisfactory to all parties Tne board directed individual roads and the)r emploveg to confer and agree upon new working rules by July 1. Labor representatives said many of the sixteen basic principles laid down in the board's decision to govern the conferences on new working agreements, especially the eight hour day and the right of the employes to organize and select their own representatives include principles they have been fighting for. Railway executives said that the decision recognized their contention that many of the rules should not have national application. The decision affects members of 18 unions including all thos9 affiliated , With the railwav dpnartmsnt nf tho

uee-;Sneet metal workers, switchmen and

those members of the national organ-' ization of masters, mates and pilots i of America who are employed by railroads. Protests Agreements. "When the abrogation of the national agreements was prepared several months ago by W. W Atterbury, vice president of the Pennsylvania railroad jt was declared that the national agreements were costing the railroad $300,000,000 a year, because certain economies in shop conditions could not be put into effect under the old rules. A meeting of the conference committee of the Association of railway executives, of which E. -T. Whitar, is chairman, was called for today to discuss the application of the decision to the individual roads. The executives" side of. the. argument in favor of abrogation of the old national agreements was presented to the board through Mr. Whitar. Decision Opens Way. "There can be no question that the decision has opened the way for moresatisfactory rules and working conditions that are now in effect," said Samuel O. Dunn, editor of the Railway Age, today, "and should result in a substantial increase in efficiency of labor and a reduction of railroad expenses, the decision is partly a victory for the railroads and partly for tin; , employes. What the outcome will be so far as railroad efficiency is concerned depends upon the conferences to be held." The decision came just before the terms of three members of the board expired at midnight last night. These men, appointed for one year when the board was organized, are Henry Hunt, I Cincinnati, one ot tne representatives Ul lue 1luur memutrs. Their successors have not been ap pointed and their places will be vacant because the act creating the board failed to specify that members should continue in office until their successors qualified. Last night's decision had nothing to do with the various wage coher ences which have been instituted by various railroads within the last few weeks and some of which have already resulted in disputes that have reached the board. The rules finding will affeet pay envelopes only insofar as it ; results in modifications of regulations , concerning what constitutes overtime, defining just when a railroad man ; starts work and similar subjects NEW YORK, April 15 Samuel Gompers, president of the American ; Federation of Labor, declared today! jiik iuiiiuua.1 wortLiiiK agreements between carriers and their employes. "The whole railway act," he said, in a tcne of regret, "once pronounced a perfect piece of legislation, now is denounced as an utter failure. The board evidently was influenced by big business." HUGHES GOING AFTER MEXICAN PROBLEM (Br Associated Press) WASHINGTON. AdHI 15. Consid eration of the Mexican problem by Secretary Hughes was forecast today by formal announcement that Charles T. Sum merlin, American charge in Mexico City, had been called to Washington for a conference. Mr. Summerlin left the Mexican capital last night and is expected to place before the department informa j t5n tnt "1H enable Mr. Hughes to ! formulate more definitely the policy to be adopted in dealing with Mexico It is understood that in general the attitude of the administration will not differ greatly from that indicated by Former Secretary Colby whin he informed the Mexican government, through its agent, Roberto V. Pesqueira, that a signed acknowledgement of its intentions to safeguard the lives and interests of Americans must be one of the preliminary steps to recognition.

"Your Theories Sound Good Now Let's Gve Them a Practical Tryoiit!"

BILL SUNDAY TELLS RICHMOND PARTY HE WILL GOME HERE r-r I CINCINNATI, April 15 Although he did not sign a contract To appear in ( Richmond, Billy Sunday told the Rich-; mond delegation this afternoon that 1 he will hold a revival in that city in I May. 1922. In a conference with H. j S. James, 12 ministers and as many. laymen from Richmond in his party at the Sinton hotel, plans for a tabernacle and -for- preliminary work in behalf of the five weeks' campaign were discussed. R. W. Stoakes, secretary of the Richmond Ministerial association, took part in the discussion. No contract was signed because of Sunday's custom to make his agreement verbal and contingent on his ability to fulfill the obligation. The partv which included several women, will attend the afternoon services at the Sunday tabernacle and will attend the night services. Reserved seats have been set aside for the Richmond delegation. Members of the automobile caravan will return to Richmond Saturday. The Richmond party expressed great satisfaction after the conference and Sunday's appearance in Richmond was regarded a3 settled. No agreement was made as to a guarantee required by Sunday or any fi nancial consideration. Six automobiles, carrying local pastors, laymen and women left th First Prpsnvtcrian church ninav mnmin? Presbyterian church Friday mornin for Cincinnati, where the party was to confer with "Billy Sunday on the proposed meetings to be conducted here by the evangelist. In the party were : Clyde Gardner, Everett Knollenberg, Rev. F. A. Dressel, Paul Dressel, Rev. A. H. Backus, Rev. H. S. James. Scott Heard, J. M. Coate, Mr. and Mrs. E. i K. Sheia, Mr. and Mrs John Saylor, j Rev. R. W. Stoakes, Waldo Lacey, W. ; J. Hiatt, D. E. Dennis, Fred Borton. i Rev A. F Mitchell, Rev and Mrs. E. H. ! Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Dalby, j Mrs. Herschel Riggin, Orlando Coryell, : Mr. and Mrs. f. b. JJodd ana U. 11. : Ross WOULD MAKE CHURCH RECREATIONAL CENTER (By Associated Press) CHICAGO. April 15. Plans whereby it is hoped to make the church the recreational center of the community as well as the religious center, were announced today by the committee on conservation and advance of the Methodist Episcopal church. The plans contemplate erection of playgrounds, organization of athletic teams and classes in economics, housekeeping and kindred subjects. A committee was appointed to visit all conventions of rural ministers during the next six months to give instruction in the direction of games and calisthenics. Gymnasium para phernalia, it was said, would be supj Plied to 3,1 churches of the denomination. The work will be conducted, it was announced, from the $22,000,000 centenary fund of the church. 1 Three Persons Killed in Michigan Wreck (By Associated Press) OWOSSO, Mich., April 15 Three persons were killed and another fatally injured early today when their auto was struck by a grand Trunk passenger train at a street crossing in Perry, a village 16 miles south of here. Mrs. Frank Martin and her two children, Arthur, 8 years old, and Robert, 3, were dead when taken from the wreckage of the machine. Frank Martin, the husband and father, who suffered a fracture of the skull and injuries to his spine, died several hours later.

D'Annunzio Refuses to Be Candidate in Election fBy Associated Press.) ROME, April 15. Many constituencies have offered nominations to the

j Chamber of Deputies to Captain GaIbriele D'Annunzio, but he has decided not to accept any offer to become a candidate in the general elections says a statement issued by the commander of D'Annunzio s original expeditionary battalion. - m I lunD 1)1x011 VC LAD U II UlOUUOuLO EMPLOYMENT-BUREAU; ACTS ON CARNIVALS Plans for the forming of a free employment bureau by the committee of the Central Labor council were discussed Thursday night in the Chamber of Commerce rooms. Many ways of forming this bureau were brought out at he meeting. t n tj,;c, pMnct - Cornell Hewson. members of the committee, considered the proposition from all angles and it was decided that no action would be taken until the question had been discussed at the next meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to be held next Wednesday night. Immediately after the open discussion by the- Chamber of Commerce members, a special meeting will be called by Chairman L. C. Harrison. , Kepresentatives from the different : j.- . . , r uivisionu ot tne -aamoer tii tum merce will be called into this conference and with the Labor committee will form a detailed . plan to present to the public for approval. See Great Need It was decided at the meeting that the need of an employment bureau! unquestioned and that it would serve a much needed purpose in Kicti mond. It was thought that with a close relationship with the social service bureau it would be able to assist in the social work of the city. It was thought that an emnloyment bureau would not only be of service to the worker but also of great ad vantage to the employer. The executive board of the Central i Labor council held its regular meetling and discussed the question of car - nivals coming here. A committee, consisting of John Putterbaugh. Richappointed to appear at the city council meeting and express the Labor Council viewpoint. The board expressed that it was not opposed to decent carnivals com i ng here, but was strongly opposed tD indecent carnivals coming. The com mittee was instructed to endorse a board of censorship which would have control of contracting carnival shows. The executive committee highly recommended the community service work as a fine means of conducting cleans amusements and recreation in the city and will use every effort to get the laboring men to assist in tho coming financing campaign for the promotion of community service work. PENNSY EMPLOYE TO RECEIVE PENSION Johann A. Helmich, lubricator filler at the Pennsylvania east yards here. reached his 70th birthday April 13, and will be retired oh penjion by the Pennsylvania company April 30. Mr. Helmich has been employed continuously by the Richmond division of the road since Sept. 16, 1883. He has been a very steady worker during his entire service, according to a railroad official. Rules of the company allow an employe to work 'out the month in which his 70th birthday occurs. He is now stationed at the round house. Records show that he has lost but 75 days' work in the. past 10 years.

TREASURER'S OFFICE TO STAY OPEN LATE TO AID TAXPAYERS

Only 14 more days remain in which i to pay taxes without the addition of c substantial sum because of delinquency, County Treasurer T. I. Ahl stated Friday morning. The last date on which taxes may be paid is May 2, the first Monday ,of that month. In order to accomodate the public in the payment of their taxes the treasurer's office in the court house will be open from 7 p. m. to 8:30 p. m. on Monday, April 25; Wednesday, April 27; Friday, April 29; and Monday,May 2. according to announcement made Friday. Pay Taxes Slowly. "Pnvment nf tnves is alu-avs a clnr matter and this year is no exception," Mr. Ahl stated. "It seems impossible to et people to understand that it is to their convenience to get this matcr out of ths ,vav wore the Inst woek i rush. In many cases there may be ; some special reason for delay in mak ing payment this year, but in the mapority of cases it is the same old story of people not thinking about the matter or else just putting it off until the last minute." Long lines of people waiting to pay their taxes are the usual thing during the final days, according to the treasurer. Less Than 25 Per Cent Pay. Treasurer Ahl estimated that thus ! far less than 25 per cent, ot the tax payers of Wayne county had taken care of their tax bills. This condition, he pointed out, might be due partially to the fact that people have acquired the habit of holding to their cash just as long as possible. Old soldier exemptions and mort gage exemptions must all be filed by the last day of April. These provide

for exemptions of $1,000. Filing ofthan ever before, according to Dell these papers is done in the county j Davis, city engineer. Two street auditors office. j gangs have been put to work re-sur-Taxes are being paid at this tim" I facing and repairing the streets mon

j on assessments made during 1920. the first installment of these taxes being due in May and the second in November. 1 "L D J;. Ct A I nlCttgO DOndttS GCI AtVay Jrf, $638,090 Bank Funds (By Associated Press) CHICAGO. April 15. Six armed bandits who held up two bank mes.iengers on an Illinois Central train early tnriav rantnrH sntrh!, oontaininer $638,000 Worth of cancelled checks. The robbery was elaborately planned, two of the bandits following the messengers when thev boarded the train at a downtown station, and the other four joining them half a mile south. The robbers left the train at Twenty - second street and escaped in a taxicab. Weather Forecast MOORE'S SPECIAL FORECAST Rain Rain tonight and Saturday followed ! by decidedly cooler weather due to; the eastward movement of a general, storm, which is now central over the middle we3t. For Indiana by the Un'ted States cooler Saturday night. Temperatures for Yesterday Maximum 67 Minimum '. 52 Today Noon , , . 64 Weather Conditions The Rocky mountain storm of great intensity is moving eastward across the north central states. It is much colder in southern Canada. A cool wave is moving southward behind the appreaching rain storm.

SUDDEN SPLIT

in alliance: SAVES CRISIS Projected Strike of Railwaymen and Transport Workers in Sympathy With Miners Changes Situation. MINERS ARE OBDURATE fBy Associated Press) LONDON. April 15. An unexpected and sensational split in the ranks of the powerful triple alliance on labor this afternoon completely changed the complexion of the blackest industrial crisis Great Britain had ever faced, and averted the projected strike of railwaymen and transport workers in sympathy with striking miners set for 10 o'clock tonight. Events developed with such sudden and startling changes as to leave the public in amaze. Simultaneously with the announcement in the house of commons by Prime Minister Lloyd George that the miners had declined to accept his invitation to re-open negotiations with mine owners on the terms advanced last evening by Frank Hodges, the miners' secretary, came the announcement that the railroad men and the transport workers had cancelled the strike called for tonight. Tell Miners to Accept It developed that J. H. Thoma-, general secretary of the railway men's union, this morning informed the miners they should accept the proposals of their general secretary. Frank Hodges, for a resumption of the negotiations and that under the circumstances the executive of the railwaymen would not feel justified in calling out its men. The executive of the transport workers took the same view. The calling of a conference of representatives of the miners from all the coal fields at a date to be fixed tomorrow was decided upon by the executive of the miners federation this evening. It took this action after hearing the decision of the railway men and transport workers to cancel their sympathetic strike. Frank Hodges, the miners' secretary, when questioned regarding this decision, said it meant that the miners' strike would continue. "If I had resigned (as he was reported to have done), I should not be giving you this report," he said. Owners Make Statement. The mine owners in the meantime made public the following statemert: "We want and again invite the miner'? representatives to sit down with ur, both nationally and in districts to see what may be done to improve the wage conditions of those classes of workers who would be most severely affected by a wage reduction. Under present conditions we are ready to prince an claims to a return on tne industry and will be content ith a u:umni review ot tne situation until circumstances improve. Government control has left the industry bankrupt. We will do our best to make belter terms for underpaid workers, and publicly extend this invitation to the miners to meet us and talk things over. What else can the owners do?" Summing up the situation the London Times said: "It is realized by all that a firm basis for a discussion fixed for noon today. The rank and file of commons have asserted themselves with decisive effect." WORKING ON STREETS EARLIER THIS YEAR; USE NEW EQUIPMENT Work on the streets of Richmond 13 getting under way earlier this spring traveled in the city. Others will be taken care o in the order of their condition, it is said. A new street patrol wagon and tar heating kettle has been purchased by the city and was sent out under a crew this week. West Fifth street is being re-surfaced. 1, '""7' " i 13 s " . Ulu r,lLU ?"u of these streets were considered in !very bd condition and the work now being done On them is designed to ! Put j in edition to with-!sttntvo-T,aviC' . . ,v Ntorth Sixteenth street will be the j next. street to be worked b? the 8treet crews0 . Use ew p,a,?s . , , 1 ?eve"! ne plans .are being worked V"1 the checking up of street improve ments. The latest of these is a map of the city with all the streets mapped. I On this map cards are placed which : show where the street outfits have done work and giving the date on which the work was completed: where they are working each day; and 1 itrrtntc naAlinff ImnMvflmAnt In- t V, a "r -of their need orders for oiling of streets are to bp recived earIJe this vr than ,n 4U t, ,;, ... " These ready for distribution within the next few days. Mr. Davis states. The new on hand and speed up the care of streets, according to city officials. State Department Would Check Munitions Shipment CBy Associated Press) . , WASHINGTON, April 15. Blanketprohibition against the . shipment of arms and munitions to any country where they might be used for reroln tionary purposes has been asked - o congress by the state department;