Average Family Pays One
Dollar Per Day In Taxes
America Has Most Expensive Gov
eminent System In World,
He Says.
<By Sen. Arthur W. Capper.)
We Americans arc the richest'
people In the world today—and we
admit It.
Also we probably have the most
expensive system ot government.
There are other governments whose
peoples are most heavily burdened
with taxes, In proport ion to their
income,, But only because they
have had more we is than we have
had, and are preparing more care
fully tor future wars.
A recent report from the indus
trial conference board shows that in
1022 the people of the United States
paid nearly nine and a third bil
lion dollars in taxes to the federal,
state and local governments.
The board reports our total tax
bill was 9.289 millions of dollars, to
put it a little differently.
Yet this huge total does not be
gin to represent the total of gov
ernment expenditures. Including
expenditures from funds raised by
bonds, and from customs duties not
Included In the taxation report of
the board—as I understand that re
port—the total is more like 12,000
millions of dollars.
But sticking to the lower figures
of taxes collected as such, the fact
remains that the average family In
the United States pays approxi
mately a dollar a day In taxes.
We Americans not only admit we
are the richest people in the world;
we also believe In our government.
We believe In it so thoroughly that
one In every eleven of our inhabi
tant#, It Is figured. Is on the public
payroll, either part or full time.
In this connection it might be In
teresting to note that 11 percent
of the national Incomes goes ior
taxes.
Draw ycur own conclusions. The
comparison is there. Eleven per cent
of the national Income goes for
taxes. Eleven percent of the popula
tion Is on the payroll. Perhaps we
strike a better balance than gen
erally Is realized.
Now, If 11 per cent of the national
income goes to support the 11 per
cent of the population on the gov
ernment payrolls, this country is
rich enough to stand the tax bur
den, if that tax burden were equit
ably adjusted.
It Is not equitably adjusted. Some
pay much more than their share of
taxation, whether you attempt to
measure that share by ability pay
or by benefits received from gov
erment. And some pay much less,
measured by the same two yard
sticks, In my judgment, should be
used In levying and collecting taxes.
It Is easier to state the problem
than to solve it. Taxes are going to
Increase, rather than decrease
What the government spends the
people pay. So when the people de
mand that the government spend
more money, It should not be for
gotten that the people must pay.
Schools and highways are not the
only government expenditures aside
from what used to be included in
the cost of government. The federal
government contributes funds to as
sist the business man. through the
department of commerce, through
the consular and diplomatic serv
ices In the state department,
through the bureau of standards,
through countless other sources.
Through the protective tariff the
federal government not only col
lects tariff duties to protect manu
facturer and working men against
foreign manufacturers and cheap
foreign labor-~lt gives the manu
facturer a domestic market in which
he can charge higher prices some
times than the tariff Itself would
indicate.
Our tremendous natural resources,
the energy and genius of our peo
ple. are not entirely responsible for
American prosperity that is some
times the despair of the rest of the
world. The government has had
something to do with It. At least
that la what all good protectionists
believe, and the results seem to jus
tify their belief.
The farmer has not been the first
to demand and receive government
aid, not by several jugfuls.
Federal taxes have been slightly
reduced, as the tremendous e
penses of our latest war are gradu
ally being paid off. But the states
have Increased their expenditure
about 25 per cent and the local tax
tag districts, about 20 per cent.
Highways and schools have tak'r
a large share of the Increase. Both
doubtless good investments, though
costing much money. Also and na
turally, there has been much ex
travagance. Economy Is hard to
practice with one's own money. And
public officials spend other folks'
money, not their own.
Furthermore, so long as 72 per
cent of the federal government's ex
penditures must go to pay for wars,
past and future. I can see little hone
of any great retrenchment in fed
eral expenses. Nor do I look for de
crease by states and local taxing
units. These are more likely to in
crease for reasons already givenBut
the people do have It In their pow
er to compel state and local gov
ernments to distribute the tax bur
den more equitably.
I believe my own state of Kansas
is typical of a number of states.
Kansas has a population of 1,840,
000. State and iocal taxes for the
current fiscal year were more than
113 million dollars. A tax of $00 per
capita.
Fifty years afro when Kansas hud
a population of 995.000, state and
local taxes were a little more than
5 1-2 millions, or $5.72 per capita
Personally, I believe It worth
$54.18 a year more to live In Kansas
these days.
If the 113 million dollar state and
local tax burden of Kansas were as
equitably distributed among the
people and property of Kansas to
day as was the 5 1-2 million dollais
tax burden of 50 years ag6, It would
be well worth the difference.
But times have changed. Condi
tions have changed. Sources of In
come have changed. Governor Heed,
of Kansas, who is making a' cour
ageous attempt to solve the tax
problem in that state, recently ap
pointed a tax code commission to
study the problem. The most strid
ing thing in its report, to me, is
that while the land and tangible
property of Kansas produces not
more than half of the Income o*
the people of Kansas, It pays this
year 84.1 per cent of the total tax
burden In Kansas.
Intangible property, which pro
duces nearly half of the income even
In the farming state of Kansas,
pays a very small fraction of the
remainder of the 113 million dollars.
Kansas, and most of the other
states, faces the problem of cutting
down the burden on the land and
tangible property, and shifting a
proper share of the load to Income
producing property—or to income
itself—that now escapes taxation.
It is on old saying that you can
not eat your cake and have it. I
might say that by our taxation
systems we are allowing those of
our citizens who get their Income
from intangible property to cat the
other fellow s cake and largely keep
their own.
I am sure it Is easier to state and
declare the tax problem than to
solve it. But It Is a worthwhile job
and I suggest that every man and
woman in the land Interested in
the future of their children and of
the country should give It some
close attention.
Pumpkin Ice ( ream.
(Prom The Wall St. Journal.!
The Idaho canneries recently
found that they had a surplus of
canned pumpkin on hand. An en
terprising Ice cream man invented
“pumpkin ice cream" and it has be
j come very popular in the Pacific
! Northwest and has apparently come
to stay. It is a golden yellow color
and those who have eaten it say
that it is delicate and delicious in
flavor.
Try Star Wants Ads.
Trinity Community
Late News Mention
W. M. U. to Hold Its First Meeting.
Two on Sick List. Monthly
Sinking.
(Special to Th« Star.)
Trinity, Mar. 13.—Those on tne
sick list at tills writing are Evle
Lookadoo and Clifford Jolley.
Mr. and Mrs. E. B Lovelace visit
ed Mrs. Clara Wilson Sunday after
noon. #
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence
Bailey, Monday, a fine son.
Mrs. J. A. Holllfleld Is spending
this week with her mother-in-law
of Chesnee,
Mr. and Mrs. K. D. N Jolley, Mr.
and Mrs. Clifford Jolley and Miss
Malina Jolley visited Mr. and Mrs.
Amos Jolley of near Forest City.
Sunday afternoon.
The W. M. U. will hold Its first
meeting Sunday afternoon at 6:30.
All members or prospective tnembeis
are urged to be present.
Our regular monthly singing will
be held Sunday night at 7.30
o'clock All singers are urged to be
present.
Mr. Clarence Boyles of Shelby
visited at the home of Mrs. W. W
Bridges Tuesday night.
Trinity Honor Roll
First grade: Lucille Alexandu-,
Rosa Lee Alexander, Mildred Bot
tle, Clyde Bostic, Claude Bostic, jr.
Jeanette Beasom, Roy Bridges,
Marlon Callahan. Mae Harris, Wil
bur Holllfleld, Pansy Pope, Estelle
Blanton, Vonnle Lee Lovelace,
Aileen Bridges, Alton Dixon.
Second grade: Worth Bridges,
Roy Bridges, Helen Callahan, Mary
Sue Harris, Frances Bridges.
Third grade: Eleanor Bridges,
Marjorie Callahan, Aileen Harris,
Frances Dixon.
Fourth grade: Mildred Harris,
Anita McClunney, Charles Dobbins,
Evle Lookadoo.
Fifth grade: Hayward Holllfleld,
Nell Bostic, Floyd Bridges, Eugene
Dobbins.
Sixth grade: J. D. Callahan,
Howard Wall.
Seventh grade: Lois Bridges.
Miss Roberts Music
Class Honor Roll
The following pupils of Miss Mary
Adelaide Roberts made the music
honor roll during the past month:
Ethel Alexander, Lillian Crow,
Sarah Esther Dover, Margaret Ford,
Germaine Gold, Earle Hamrick: jr„
Rcbeccq Hcpper, Sarah Lee Hopper,
Anna Beth Jones, Louise Jones,
Marjorie Lutz, Virginia McNeely
Margaret Louis McNeely, Mary
Margaret Mull, Jeannette Post, Es
ther Ann Quinn, Edith Reid Ram
saur, Lalage Sperling, Sarah Thomp
son, Jean Moore Thompson, Pave
Weathers, Ola Weathers, Pantha
Weathers, Aileen Webb, Catherine
Wellmon, Lucille Whisnant, Sarah
Harris, Mary Sue Thompson.
TRV STAR WANT ADS.
Special J
7
ROSES
SHRUBS
VINES Etc.
Begins Tomorrow
Beautify Your Property
and Increase Its Value I
The best nurseries in the country arc offering
their choicest products to Montgomery Ward
customers—at a distinct saving. Every item in
thir sale a quality item—do not confuse with
low grade merchandise frequently offered
in special sales! Ward nursery stock grows.
ROSES
Each___
SPIREA VAN
HUTTE
HYDRANGEA
Each_
EVERGREENS
Bundle_
50c
35c
35c
35c
SpecialI
GRAPE VINES
Bundle __
CHERRY, APPLE AND PEACH
TREES, STRAWBERRY & RASPBER
RY PLANTS, Bundle..
35c
35c
We also carry a complete line ot grass seed,
flower and vegetable seed, gladioli bulbs, etc.
Montgomery Ward & Co.
SHELBY, N. C.
....
Bereaved in Buffalo* Tragedy
j Henri Marchand, well-known artist, and hlg daughter, with the dog
which watched over the body of Mrs. Marchand after the latter had
been beaten to death with a hammer. “Princess Lila” Jimerson,
| said to be the last of the Indian princesses, and an aged squaw,
Nancy Bowen, accuse each other of the crime. The Indian girl
is said to have been enamored of the w'n:te man. to whom she has
written a pleading letter from her jail cell asking for his help.
(International Newsreel)
In Shelby and suburbs you can get THE
STAR EACH AFTERNOON of PUBLICA
TION DAY by paying the Carrier Boy who
i passes your door, 25c per month.
UPPER CLEVELAND
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Old Time Singing at Moriah. Miss
Winnie Whisnant Entertains.
I’eronals.
(Special t< The Star.'
Lawndale R-l.-—Due to the incle
ment weather the farmers have
been delayed wlih their plowing
There are several on the sick list.
We hope them speedy recovery.
There was an old time singing
at Moriah Sunday afternoon which
a large crowd attended.
Miss Winnie Whisnant delight
fully entertained a large crowd of
friends Tuesday evening Many in
teresting games were enjoyed
throughout the evening.
Those present were: Misses Marie
and Dophlne Hunt. Lucile, Nina and
Prank Self, Leola and Tilford Pri:e,
Clayton, Ophus and Horace Deven
ney, Nevia Towery, Gillie Devenney
Jessie Pearl Whisnant, Edith White,
A. B. Roberson, Marvin Brittam,
Clarence Parker, John, Hubert and
Preston Mull. Clem and John Hunt,
jr., Allen and Woodrow White, De
catur Pruett, John, Elija and Guy
Water’s. Winze Turner. Everyon?
present reported a good time.
Miss Nevia Lowery spent Tues
day night with Winnie Whisnant.
Miss Jessie Pearl Whisnant, Lu
cile and Nina Self attended the
singing at Moriah Sunday.
Mr. P. M. Whisnant spent Mon
day night with friends in the Gold
en Valley section.
Mrs. A. A. Whisnant Is still im
proving.
Miss Dophlne Hunt and Winnie
Whisnant attended the ball game
at Shelby Wednesday night.
Miss Jessie Pearl Whisnant and
Marie Hunt attended a party at the
home cf Miss Georgia Bridges Wed
nesday night.
Swimmers Best.
New York.—Swimmers are the
smartest athletes among Hunte.
college girls. Their rank in studies
averages higher than that of mem
bers of the basketball, hockey, ten
nis and fencing teams. Many ath
letes are better than average in
scholastic work.
ft’s the Quality
for the Price
Mere price without quality means little, but at A&P
Food Stores you are always assured of finding your
favorite brands of nationally known foods—and at prices
which will represent real savings, too!
Quaker Maid
beams
Oven
3 cans 25«
Finest Compound
lard
1 lbs. *5c
Rich and Creamy
CHEESE
lb. »9c I
Sumter Brand
SPINACH
No. "J
Can
10c
Domestic
SARDINES
can 5*
RcadJ'M>*SerTe
SPAGHETTI
S cans *5* |
PINK
SALMON
No. » w" ISC
can
Grandmother’s
BREAD
mUUN IX) At
2 lot wrapped
tfAA LiOAF
16-oz. wrapped
10c
7c
FANCY CREAMERY
BUTTER
lb. 43c
■an
Sultana
ASSORTED FLAVORS
JAM
(pectin added)
CIGARETTES
ALL KINDS
CARTON
$1.19
wmm~xzxwnaam
A&V Plain or Self-rising
FLOUR
Milled In the Carolina*
24 « 90c
MEAT
MAlutcifS
Finest Granulated
SUGAR
10 & 55c
Red Circle
COFFEE
lb. 29c
8 O'clock
COFFEE
lb. 27c
White House
EVAPORATED
MILK
3 r, 25c
CAMPBELL’S
TOMATO
SOUP
3 cans 25c
MATCHES
3 25c
BRILLO
pkg. 10c
15c
3TEWBEEF
Pound .
PORK SAUSAGE 1Q Q
’’ound ..
IOUND Steak
^ound .
33
l-3c
King Mackerel
Pound .
17£c
Kingan’s Slic- 9Q l-3c
ed Bacon .
JSi, Atiantic & Paci nr. ™
Sergeant York Didn’t Want To
Fight; Germans Didn ’t Know It
Richmond, Va.,—Sergt. Alvin C
York, rated as the greatest individ
ual here of the World war, accord
ing to Oen. John J. Pershing and
the late Marshal Foch, is recorded
as a conscientious objector in the
archives of the war department.
In his youth he was, to use his
own words, "hog wild.” Then sud
denly he abandoned this wild life
completely and forever. Since 1912
he has never tasted liquor, gambled
or even lost his temper. When war
broke out he was working on a farm
and doing Sunday school work in his
own little valley. The possessor of a
fine tenor voice, he was known
throughout the mountains as "the
Singing Elder.”
Then came the war. The big fel
low was net interested. He applied
to the local board for exemption on
the grounds that he was a member
in good standing of a church which
was opposed to war and fighting
The application was refused.
Armed with two affidavits, one
from his pastor, the Rev. Rosier
Pyle, he appealed against the de
cision. The appeal was denied, for
the third time he appealed, and tor
the third time he was ordered to
camp. Then Pastor Pyle wrote to
President Wilson, In vain. So York
went to camp. But it took monti.s
of arguing and reading from the
Bible to convince him that he should
go overseas and fight.
Said one who heard his story:
‘ Gocd heavens, if, as a conscien
tious objector, he whipped a whole
I German machine-gun squad, what
would he have done had his heart
been in it?’’
Headed Right.
(From The Gastonia Gazette.)
One of the most significant move!
made in many days was that of the
combed yam spinners of this coun
ty when they resolved to adopt the
55-hour week for daylight work and
the 50-hour week for night work.
This step, in addition to being more
satisfactory for the labor, will re
duce the amount of yarns on the
market from 13 to 15 per cent. If
this course were pursued all over
the yarn territory, we would soon
hear less of over-production.
/S'
SALE
OF
HOOSIER
KITCHEN
CABINETS
BEGINNING TOMORROW
Saturday, March 15
And Continuing through Saturday,
March 22
Modern and beautifully designed pabi
nets—colored to harmonize with your
other kitchen furnishings:
WHITE-GRAY - GREEN - IVORY
Special Sale Prices for one week only—
$39.75 to $62.75
$1.00 DOWN AND $1.50 WEEKLY.
— FREE —
With Each Cabinet Sold During This
Sale
A CUTLERY SET OF 20 PIECES
We call your attention to a new shipment
of other kitchen furniture deserving of
your inspection.
— SEE OUR WINDOW DISPLAY —
Kester-Groome
Furniture Co.
North LaFayette Street
Opposite First Baptist Church
— Phone 432 - •