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Show New Taxation la Primary Cause of Higher Prices B FRANK T. KAMI Chairman f ih, lumrt. lnUrntl..nl Shn ComiMinr. ami Mrmhrr Kirry. tlv Commillw, Anirrtraa Lib. rl Lraiun. All of us are asklnc, 'What Is the primary cause of higher prices on everything we buy?" It Is not an easy question to answer; but I am confident thut no single factor contributes more. If us much, to higher living cost thnn constantly Increasing tmes 0f all kinds. The Insidious Influence of unlimited taxation tax-ation I felt In every homo; for every citizen Is pitying taxes on everything he buys. This was clearly and forcefully expressed by Governor Frunklln IX Roosevelt in n Pre -Klectlon speech October 19. Il):t2: "Taxes are paid In the sweat of every man who labors, because they are a burden on production and can be paid only by production. If excessive, ex-cessive, they are reflected In Idle factories, tax sold farms, and hence In hordes of the hungry tramping the streets and Reeking Jobs In vnln. Our workers may never see a tax bill, but they pay In deductions from wages. In Increased cost of what they buy or In broad cessation cessa-tion of employment. There Is not an employed man, there Is not a struggling fanner whoso Interest In this subject Is not direct and vital. If like a spendthrift the government throws discretion to the winds, Is unwilling to make no sacrifice at nil In spending, extends Its taxing to the limit of the people's power to pay and continues to pile up deficits. It Is on tho road to bankruptcy. H Last year our taxes. National, State and Municipal, nmnnnted to more thnn Fifteen Rllllon Dollars. "The Power to Tax," Raid Chief Justice Marshall "Is the Power to Destroy, and we must call a halt on the expense of Government or be destroyed by the consequences." When public officials brag about the Increase In public revenue they are boasting of the amount that has been taken from the pockets of onr citizens; for nil public revenue comes from Individual elTort. It Is your duty and mine to nrouse public sentiment to n point where It will demand a reduction In the cost of Government. |