LOCAL "PATRIOTIC" MERCHANT SHUNS KEEPING TAX RECORDS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 9, 1921, the Evening Star reported that a local merchant in the northwest section of the city was "dropping iron washers into a little box, one for each penny's tax" instead of keeping accurate records as required by law.
When confronted by tax collectors about the misdeed, the merchant said...
"I just helped celebrate your independence day. This country is not free if you have to do all that in order to make a living."
The Evening Star reports that when the collectors informed the gentleman it "might cost him $10,000" for failure to comply with the law, he changed his tune and agreed to "keep the records" as required.
SOURCE
"Patriotism No Excuse To Get Lax on Taxes, Local Merchant Finds," The Evening Star, July 9, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
