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Show Another Nuisance Tax Proposed By Senators Tt is fitting and proper that all citizens who enjoy the fruits of a great democracy should likewise contribute monetarily to the costs of such government. It is also logical to assume that each should be equitably assessed to maintain and administer ad-minister the government in all its ramifications. But to collect these assessments, necessary for this purpose, it is neither logical nor wise to antagonize the payees. A few years ago it was found necessary to raise new funds to offset the cost of new demands by the people upon the government social security, old age pensions and other welfare aids. A sales tax way formulated, subsequently made law and administered It proved worthy and despite the costs of administration, much good has resulted. Thi tax, however, was and still is very unpopular, solely because of the continued annoyance and trouble it causes. The small amount contributed by each individual is probably never thought of or mentioned, but the inconvenience incon-venience of the contribution has been the greatest source of criticism ever heaped upon a Utah political administration, administra-tion, which, of necessity, fostered it. Every time a person is called upon to pay or receive some of this so-called "Blood money," new vehemence is given to many an old adjective. It is beyond doubt the most resented tax ever placed upon the shoulders of an unsuspecting public. But Mr. John Q. Citizen ploddingly accepted the burden, believing the good of the tax far outweighed the evil. But now, some of Utah's 1941 senators have conjured in their imaginative minds a new tax. A tax that would make the sales tax seem like a little thorn in the finger, when compared with this new porcupine-quilled cushion tax these men are preparing for the public to take "sitting down." These men have decided that a tax on all services based on a price or fee basis would be a fine and just assessment. x This tax would be about as popular as a smallpox epidemic epi-demic and fully as useless. Every barber who shaves a face would be subjected . and forced to make a record of each transaction. Every "help wanted" ad printed in Utah newspapers would be. charged the tax. Every doctor who bands a" finger, every preacher who saves a soul, every undertaker who buries a body, every tourist who stops in Utah, every mechanic who tightens a nut in fact, every man who sells or does a service for a price or a fee (for money) would be subject to the tax. In short, this tax would be placed upon the services of every citizen in the state of Utah ... a disguised sales tax, levied under an assumed name, collected in a more inconvenient incon-venient manner and with a great deal more trouble to everyone . . . and for what? We already have a sales tax. Governor Herbert B. Maw, both before and after election, said we did not need additional taxation. He specifically stated that the sales tax was sufficient to carry the burden of the welfare department. depart-ment. Now these senators personally have conceived and collectively given birth to an alias sales tax, which they say will be used, not for defense or other emergency needs, but definitely and solely for revenue for the welfare department. depart-ment. Someting doesrft add up here . . . someone is wrong and we do not believe it is the governor. If the citizens of this state stand idly by and do not in some manner protest to their duly elected representatives, then it is well that they be made to suffer this nuisance tax hourly in order that they be constantly reminded of their dormant and inanimate interest in affairs of government. govern-ment. 4 |