"TAXATION IS RAPIDLY BECOMING UNBEARABLE"

FEDERAL INCOME TAX SEEN AS THREAT TO ECONOMY

New York City (JFK+50) On March 9, 1923, the National Industrial Conference* issued a statement warning "taxation is rapidly becoming unbearable and the federal income tax** threatens economic progress."

According to the statement, in 1922 fourteen cents of every dollar went for taxes comprising 14.3% of the national total income for the fiscal year 1921-1922.

In comparison, "taxes took but 6.5 per cent of national income" in the fiscal year 1913-1914.

The NIC says the increased tax burden is a threat to the surplus which is "considered vital to business and industry."  The statement concludes that the excess taxation "is stifling...on individual initiative and effort" resulting in "a lower standard of living for the American people."

*National Industrial Conference Board (NICB) was founded in 1916 as a business membership & research organization.  HQ was located at 845 Third Avenue in NYC.  

Today NICB is known as The Conference Board & represents 1000 corporations in 60 countries.

**The Federal Income Tax took effect on Feb 25 1913 when the 16th Amendment to the US Constitution was certified.  

It reads "The Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes on income."

SOURCES

"16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Federal Income Tax 1913," National Archives, www.archives.com/

"Raps Income Tax As Threat to U.S. Economic System," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 9, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

The Conference Board

845 Third Avenue

Manhattan, NY

July 23 2012

Photo by Jim.henderson

www.wikimedia.org/

"COLLECTIONS ON A 100% EFFICIENCY BASIS"

HARVARD PROF SAYS WE HAVE BECOME A 'NATION OF LIARS' THANKS TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On November 17, 1922, the Evening Star reports on a statement made yesterday by Professor Charles J. Bullock* of Harvard University in which he says the American people have become 'a nation of liars' thanks to "methods used by authorities in collecting the federal income tax."

The Professor, who was giving a speech at the New England Tax Conference** held here in Boston, claimed the people's morale had been lowered because tax collectors were doing their jobs "on a 100 per cent efficiency basis."

JFK+50 NOTE

By adoption of the 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution (1913) the Congress may levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states based on population.  The first federal income tax was imposed with passage of the Revenue Act of 1913.

*Charles J. Bullock (1869-1941) graduated from Boston University & earned his PhD at the University of Wisconsin, 1895.  CJB taught economics at Cornell & Williams Universities & edited "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith, 1909.

**The annual New England Tax Conference, originating in 1912, was organized by the New England State Tax Officials Association. 

SOURCE

"Income Tax Makes 'Nation of Liars" Professor Avers," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 17, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

16th Amendment to the United States Constitution

1913

National Archives of the United States