Toot le Transcript, Thursday, October The Worm King From Eddyville HOURSjjS Takes On New York ONLY$K Tax Collectors "I dont make joke." Will Rogers once Mid. "I jul watch the government and report the fact," The great American humorist made that comment year ago. But what about today? What if he were with u now and had to report, for what happened to Jody Gerard, a 12 year-olentrepreneur from Eddyville, New York? Could Will Rogers still keep a straight face while reporting everything the state' tax authorities have done to keep this young worm grower from wiggling off their hook? YOU BE the jadge.Jody Gerard is no ordinary young man. lie raises, digs and sells backyard worms lots of them. And at 35 cents a dozen for Red Wigglers ( a dozen of his prize Glass Worms will cost you 55 cents), he has established a growing business and a solid reputation as a hard worker. Bid one day this summer, Jody received a letter from the Department of Taxaction that put the bite into his worm business. The authorities had learned Jody had nut been collecting Mies tax on his worm deal. They wanted their money. . and they threatened to get tough and haul Master Gerard into court if he did not promptly contact them. So he did. Frightened out of bis wits, he telephoned a tax official and explained he was only 12 yean old and had no intention of breaking any laws especially those he knew nothing alxxit. There was a pause. The bureaucrats huddled, then told him to await their instructions. They would consult further then get back to him with their decision. ABOUT A week later, the answer came. Like it or not, Jody would have to pay the tax. New York State had decided his worms were tangible legal property. But about that same time, the story got out that a ery enterprising young man felt he was being treated badly by his state government. Letters, supporting Jody, began pouring into some from as far away as Eddyville's post office have mailed Jody Switzerland. To date, more than 280 to cover his first quarter tax bill of 64 well-wishe- rs 1 1, 1979 ?2MtOMILY! A Stfedio at fomeloro, Caia 4 Nr trap LADIES DRESS & CASUAL SHOES cents. Confronted with a rash of negative publicity, the bureaucracy began to bend. . .slightly. One official who was reportedly proud of the way the whole affair had been handled, later claimed to have been misquoted. PROMISES were made to seek legislative relief so that minors with small businesses would be exempt from paying sales taxes. And in one majestically expensive gesture of sweet reasonableness, a state official was sent all the fill out his tax forms. way to Jodys home just to help him What's been accommplished? Government, so reluctant, so incapable of spending less and living within its means, has once again proved it will spare almost no time, effort or expense in defending its power to reap the rewards of someone else's risks. Yet look at the price we must all pay. As soon as Jody learned he had a problem with the tax department, he closed down his worm stand. Then the other kids in town, fearing they too might be violating the law and down might be slapped with heavy fines, began taking their signs and closing their stands. Today, the worm business in Eddyville has dried up. CONE TOO is a small spark of that vital spirit of not just for the bait business and not just now but perhaps for later in life, for more ambitious pursuits. Eddyville is just one small mountain town. But what of happened there is an important microcosm of the kind bureaucrtic overkill that is doing so much to destroy business iniative and growth all across America. Government doesnt create progress, people do millions of people like Jody Gerard who latch onto an idea to provide a product or a service others want or need. When will we wake up and have the intelligence and faith to place Americas future back in their hands. e, Salad Group SKIRTS Voluas to $13 8.88 Pot Roast South American Style SWEATERS intir Stack 20 CORD With a sharp knife, cut a difference! Its stuffed with slit through center of steak, a delectable rice mixture about 3 to 4 inches long. and smothered with a zesty Carefully enlarge the pocket to about 1 inch from all tomato sauce. For the stuffing, saute edges of meat. Rub inside onion, green pepper and with 1 teaspoon of the salt. garlic. Add tomatoes and Coarsely chop the ripe ripe olives. Flavor it with olives. Heat oil, add onion, chili. Mix half the sauce green pepper and garlic and with rice and stuff into the cook until onion is transparround stea k pocket. ent. 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