anaheim-gazette 1919-03-06

EVERYBODY IS NOW FIGURING INCOME TAX In Order to Be Helpful to Public, Internal Revenue Bureau Has Every Available Officer in Field. SEVERE PENALTIES IF YOU DELAY BEYOND MARCH 15 With the due date for Income Taxes only a few weeks away, the collection of this far-reaching tax on 1918 incomes has started off with a bang. Everybody is figuring income tax. Payments and sworn statements of Income must reach Internal Revenue offices on or before March 15, and there are severe penalties for delinquency. Residents of California are required to make their returns and pay their taxes to Justus Wardell, San Francisco, or to John P. Carter, Los Angeles, Collectors of Internal Revenue, who are now doing free advisory work on Income Tax. "Pay your Income Tax by March 15," is the slogan of the Internal Revenue Bureau, which has sent every available officer into the field to help the public to understand the requirements and to prepare the returns. Who Must Make Return. It is estimated that many thousands of single and married persons in this section of the United States who have never before made annual returns are required to do so this year. Income tax returns must be made between now and March 15 by persons who come under the following classifications: Any unmarried person whose 1918 net income was $1,000 or over. Widow. THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET Senator Irwin, of Hanford, has laid before the legislature a proposed constitutional amendment for an executive state budget. Under this amendment the governor would personally sponsor the budget for the support of the state government. The amounts fixed by him as sufficient to meet the running expenses could not be increased, although they could be lowered, by the legislature. In other words, the governor would propose the budget and the legislature would have power of "downward revision," or of vetting any particular item. At the present time the legislature proposes the expenditures and the veto power is with the governor. The amendment would place the responsibility for framing the state's general financial program squarely on the governor, who is the head of the government. The legislature would retain power to initiate special appropriations not covered by the budget, and/as relates to such bills the governor would retain his present veto power. The Irwin amendment is receiving considerable attention and favorable comment. In its last Journal the Tax Payers' Association of California says: "The informal budget system under which we have been proceeding in California for the past few years is far from perfect. Yet it has been a decided step in advance over former practice. It has, at least indicated the value of real budget making. With the experience thus acquired, the legislature ought to have no hesitancy about submitting and adopting a constitutional amendment providing for an executive budget. Under such a budget system the executive would ask and the legislature would grant or refuse. The responsibility of each of these two departments of government would be clear. Neither branch could escape the opportunity." OPPORTUNITY OF OFFERING MEXICO AMERICAN COLONISM TO RECOUP LOSSES ED BY REVOLT GREAT DIVERSITY OF SIBLE OWING TO FIELD AND SPLENDIDI In these days of real-world business affairs are turning their eyes and making inquiries rations and prospects in following article, written rey, gives some interest on the subject: Of the many flourish colonies of Americans their part toward rich natural resources time the revolutionary more than eight years three retain any of tha lation. In most instan were forced to disband the constant menace or bandits, which were able so far as the lea was concerned. And contributed to the dis agricultural enterprise of transportation facilities that they may h months at a time rail suspended and neces Who Must Make Return. It is estimated that many thousands of single and married persons in this section of the United States who have never before made annual returns are required to do so this year. Income tax returns must be made between now and March 15 by persons who come under the following classifications: Any unmarried person whose 1918 net income was $1,000 or over. Widows and widowers, divorces and married persons who are living apart from their husbands or wives, are for the purposes of the Income Tax classed as unmarried. Any married person living with wife or husband whose 1918 net income was $2,000 or over. The income of both husband and wife must be considered together with the earnings of minor children, if any. Revenue Bureau Offers Aid. Each person in the United States who is in either of these classifications must get busy at once if penalties are to be avoided. He should secure a blank Form 1040 A for reporting net income up to $5,000, or Form 1040 IF his net income exceeded that amount. Forms are being distributed by Collectors and their Deputies, also by banks. By following the instructions on the forms a correct return can be prepared at home. If a person needs advice or aid, the Deputy Collectors in the field will furnish this without charge. The new Revenue law places the Income Tax duty on citizens and residents. The Internal Revenue Bureau is sending its men to work right with the public to get the tax and the returns in. With active co-operation every tax due March 15 will be paid and every return required by law will be in the Revenue offices on time. Exemptions Allowed. A single person is allowed a personal exemption of $1,000. If he is supporting in his household relatives who are dependent upon him he may claim the status of the head of a family who has the same exemption as if married. A married person who lives with wife or husband is allowed a personal exemption of $2,000. The head of a family is entitled to claim a similar personal exemption. An additional exemption of $200 is allowed for each person under eighteen or incapable of self support who was dependent upon and received his chief support from the taxpayer. A husband and wife living together are entitled to but one personal exemption of $2,000. If they make separate returns the exemption may be claimed by either or divided. Accuracy Required. Absolute accuracy is necessary in making up income figures. Any person who is working for wages should held step in advance over former practice. It has, at least indicated the value of real budget making. With the experience thus acquired, the legislature ought to have no hesitancy about submitting and adopting a constitutional amendment providing for an executive budget. Under such a budget system the executive would ask and the legislature would grant or refuse. The responsibility of each of these two departments of government would be clear. Neither branch could escape the duty of carrying its own load, and logging in amters financial would be almost erodicated, and if not entirely eradicated, the people of the state could easily see who was rolling the logs." INCOME TAX MAN IN TOWN Get ready for the income tax man. He arrived in Anaheim on Tuesday and is located at the old city hall, where he can be consulted without charge. "Bring in your figures, your problems, your doubts, and your questions," is his invitation contained in the announcement of his coming visit. Collector of internal revenue, John P. Carter, is sending one of his deputies, C. T. Keister, solely to help people in this vicinity to determine their individual liability and to comply with the law's requirements as to 1918 incomes. His office hours will be from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. each day, and he will remain in town until the close of business on Saturday. "This free advisory service," writes Collector Carter, "is planned for those who are required for the first time to consider their liability and to make sworn returns. "Many thousands who were not affected by the prior federal laws taxing incomes must this year file returns. Here are the requirements: "Every unmarried person who had a net income of $1,000 or over during 1918; and every married person who, together with wife (or husband) and minor children, had a net income of $2,000 in 1918. "The advice and services of the deputy collector are entirely free, and he is authorized to administer the oath required on returns, free of charge. Persons who are taxable should make payment when filing their returns by attaching check or money order. "This tax is a war burden; it is a part of the price of victory, the great value of real budget making. With the experience thus acquired, the legislature ought to have no hesitancy about submitting and adopting a constitutional amendment providing for an executive budget. Under such a budget system the executive would ask and the legislature would grant or refuse. The responsibility of each of these two departments of government would be clear. Neither branch could escape the duty of carrying its own load, and logging in amters financial would be almost erodicated, and if not entirely eradicated, the people of the state could easily see who was rolling the logs." Another former A that was at one time is that at San Diego situated in the Gulf was made up of more mostly from the Midwest brought with them to modern implements, other farm equipment years this colony carried operations in the wilderness. The raw land into which they gather of salable crops. J. Handcock, who now in Tampa, made a v colony where he found can employees had grief of sugar cane upon him begun harvesting it when he stopped them instructed them that produced this year be purposes. Many carry other garden produce from San Diego to United States. Recei An additional exemption of $200 is allowed for each person under eighteen or incapable of self support who was dependent upon and received his chief support from the taxpayer. A husband and wife living together are entitled to but one personal exemption of $2,000. If they make separate returns the exemption may be claimed by either or divided. Accuracy Required. Absolute accuracy is necessary in making up income figures. Any person who is working for wages should find out exactly how much he received during the whole year 1918. Fees, bank interest, bond interest, dividends, rents received and all other items must be reported correctly. Mere guesses are not accepted, for they are unjust alike to the taxpayer and the Government and defeat the proper administration of the law. INCOME TAX IS TRULY POPULAR. "The payment of Income taxes takes on a new significance which should be understood by every citizen. The taxation system of this country is truly popular, of the people, by the people and for the people. Every citizen is liable to tax, and the amount of the tax is graduated according to the success and fortune attained by each individual in availing himself of the opportunities created and preserved by our free institutions. The method and degree of the tax is determined by no favored class, but by the representatives of the people. The proceeds of the tax should be regarded as a national investment."—Daniel C. Roper, Commissioner of Internal Revenue. JOINED THE PHANTOMS Atolia, the bonanza mining camp of the present decade on the San Bernardino desert, is on the verge of almost entire desertion by more than 400 inhabitants, and unless the price of tungsten revives with peace-time reconstruction, Atolia is doomed to join Calico, Panamint, Virginia Dale, Hart, Ballarat and others as a ghost city of the desert. The Atolla Mining Company has shut down its mine and mill and dropped more than 200 men from the pay roll, and more than 200 independents have likewise ceased operations. The bottom has dropped entirely out of tungsten. There is no market. The war made Atolia famous and its inhabitants rich. Millions were resaped in the rush to furnish the Allies with tungsten for war equipment. Conservative mining men say peace-time reconstruction will return demand for tungsten in all high-speed steel. Pessimists say Atolia will wait, as Calico of silver fame waited, in vain. OPPORTUNITIES OFFERING IN MEXICO AMERICAN COLONISTS BEGINNING TO RECOUP LOSSES OCCASIONED BY REVOLUTIONS GREAT DIVERSITY OF CROPS POSSIBLE OWING TO FERTILE SOIL AND SPLENDID CLIMATE In these days of readjustment of the world's business affairs many persons are turning their eyes toward Mexico and making inquiries relative to conditions and prospects in that land. The following article, written from Monterey, gives some interesting information on the subject: Of the many flourishing agricultural colonies of Americans that were doing their part toward development of the rich natural resources of Mexico at the time the revolutionary period began more than eight years ago, only two or three retain any of their former population. In most instances the colonists were forced to disband on account of the constant menace of revolutionists, or bandits, which were not distinguishable so far as the levying of tribute was concerned. Another thing that contributed to the disruption of these agricultural enterprises was the lack of transportation facilities for the products that they may have raised. For months at a time railroad traffic was suspended and necessary supplies for the colonists should not be brought in. In the valley of the Panuco River, extending from Tampico into the interior for 150 miles most of the land is owned by Americans. Some of them carried on their farming work all through the revolutionary troubles, but others had to abandon their properties temporarily and suffered heavy losses by robberies from various irresponsible and lawless bands of Mexicans. Several large sugar cane plantations are owned by Americans in the Panuco River Valley and but for the internal troubles of the country wonderful expansion of this industry would have taken place during gte last few years. Considerable farming by Americans is also done in the territory bordering the Tampico-Tuxpam inter-coastal canal that connects the Panuco River with the Tuxpam River, having a length of about 120 miles. These American farmers ordinarily obtain bountiful yields of vegetables, besides their crops of grapefruit, oranges, pineapples and other tropical products. Large areas of wild land on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec were purchased ten or fifteen years ago by American investors with a view of their colonization by farmers from the United States. The nucleus of several of these agricultural colonies was formed and considerable progress was made toward clearing the land and development of the ambitious plans for reclaiming a part of the country that, while very rich in natural resources, had heretofore been practically unproductive. Several of these colonies on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec were situated on navigable rivers and the conditions surrounding them were believed to be ideal for the success of the respective projects. According to advice from that more remote part of Mexico all of the American colonies have left there. In some instances they abandoned properties that represented heavy investments and these kets in the United States were developed for the Mexican fruit. There is said to be a probability that the industry will be resumed in the near future. It is asserted by men who are familiar with the growing of commercial bananas that Southeast Mexico is as well adapted for that industry as those parts of Central America from which the banana supply of the United States now comes. Another feature of the agricultural industry of Mexico which was being developed by Americans during the latter period of the Diaz administration was the growing of coffee. There is no good reason, it is claimed, why Mexico should not become one of the greatest coffee producing countries in the world. Some of the large coffee plantations in the State of Vera Cruz are owned by Americans. Considerable American capital is also invested in rubber tree plantations, chiefly in the State of Chiapas. Although the henequin, or sisal fiber industry of the State of Yucatan is in control of Mexicans and Spaniards, Americans were beginning the growing on a considerable scale of what is called the zapupe fiber in the Tampico region and as far north as Victoria in the State of Tamaulipas eight to fifteen years ago. This fiber is closely related to the sisal product but is harder. The Mormon settlements in the State of Chihuahua are made up of Americans, most of them coming from Utah. This group of colonies is usually referred to as Las Colonias de Galeana, from the fact that they are all situated in that district. They consist of five settlements with Dublan as the principal one of the group. In the beginning of the revolutionary warfare there were approximately 5000 Mormons in these colony settlements, nearly all of them being employed in agricultural pursuits. They reclaimed the arid waste and literally "made the desert." In most instances the colonists were forced to disband on account of the constant menace of revolutionists, or bandits, which were not distinguishable so far as the levying of tribute was concerned. Another thing that contributed to the disruption of these agricultural enterprises was the lack of transportation facilities for the products that they may have raised. For months at a time railroad traffic was suspended and necessary supplies for the colonists could not be brought in nor could their own agricultural products be shipped to market. The few Americans who have stuck it out in the former flourishing colonies are now beginning to recoup their depleted fortunes. One of these is A. E. Graham, pioneer resident of the Forton agricultural colony in the Tampico region. He said recently that last year he had about 1800 acres in corn and harvested 1000 tons of that grain, for which he received a high price. He has purchased two new and modern tractors and is preparing to increase his cultivated acreage very much this year. Mr. Graham is also a large grower of garden truck, which in the pre-revolutionary days was shipped to Mexico and American markets. Other members of the Forton colony were also large producers of various marketable products before they were compelled to abandon their holdings and return to the United States. Another former American colony that was at one time very prosperous is that at San Dieguito, which is also situated in the Gulf Coast region. It was made up of more than 200 farmers, mostly from the Middle West. They brought with them to Mexico the most modern implements, machinery and other farm equipment. For several years this colony carried on extensive operations in the way of reclaiming the wilderness. They converted the raw land into the most productive farms on which they grew a great variety of salable crops. Recently Dr. W. J. Handcock, who now makes his home in Tampico, made a visit to the former colony where he found that his Mexican employees had grown a large crop of sugar cane upon his land. They had begun harvesting the crop with a view of converting it into syrup and sugar when he stopped the proceedings and instructed them that all of the cane produced this year be used for planting purposes. Many cars of tomatoes and other garden produce were shipped from San Dieguito each year to the United States. Recent inquiries from former residents of the colony who while very rich in natural resources, had heretofore been practically unproductive. Several of these colonies on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec were situated on navigable rivers and the conditions surrounding them were believed to be ideal for the success of the respective projects. According to advises from that more remote part of Mexico all of the American colonies have left there. In some instances they abandoned properties that represented heavy investments and these are now being operated by former employees of the colonists. It is upon the Isthmus of Tehuantepec that two large Japanese agricultural colonies were established many years ago under the encouragement of the Mexican government. They were not interfered with during the revolutionary period and are said to be in a very prosperous condition. The people comprising the initial membership of these two colonies were brought to Mexico direct from Japan. Another part of this country that was bought out and made the home of a number of American farmers is what is known as the Huasteca region in the State of San Luis Potosí. It is one of the richest parts of Mexico and is famous for its sugar plantations and the success that is had in growing other crops. For more than twenty-five years one of the largest sugar cane plantations and sugar mills in that part of Mexico has been owned by Americans. Although considerable land in the famous Laguna cotton growing district around Torreón is owned by Americans, nothing has been done in the way of establishing American colonies there. One plantation—that of the Tlahabuilla Agricultural Company, of which James Brown Potter of New York was long the head, owned something like 80,000 acres of land in the Laguna district which in former years was the producer of enormous cotton and corn crops, all by means of irrigation from the flood waters of the Nazas River. This property was raided time after time during the revolutionary disturbances and has suffered heavy losses from that cause during the last eight years. Scattered all over the central plateau of Mexelo and in the valleys of adjacent mountains are venturesome Americans who are engaged in farming on a more or less extensive scale. Immediately following the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico down the Pacific Coast of this country from Guaymas to Tepic some three miles off American farmlands, most of them coming from Utah. This group of colonies is usually referred to as Las Colonias de Galeana, from the fact that they are all situated in that district. They consist of five settlements with Dublan as the principal one of the group. In the beginning of the revolutionary warfare there were approximately 5000 Mormons in these colony settlements, nearly all of them being employed in agricultural pursuits. They reclaimed the arid waste and literally "made the desert to blossom as the rose." They were a prosperous, contented and happy people when the Mexican warfare began around them. They lost much of their property through raids and many of the colonists returned to the United States. These colonies were established and concessions granted by the Mexican government, as in fact were several of the larger American colonies in Eastern and Southern Mexico. That American farmers in Mexico were a most beneficial influence upon the natives who lived around them cannot be doubted. It was through these expatriated foreigners that modern methods of agriculture were introduced into this country by the employment of native laborers. These people were taught how to handle and use to best advantage modern farm implements and machinery. The native rural population were also taught many other things that were of benefit to them, particularly the matter of bettering their own physical condition and surroundings. With the coming of American farmers to Mexico wages of the day laborer began to show an increase. Instead of receiving a pittance of 18 to 25 cents a day, which was the wage scale on many farms and ranches, the newcomers in many instances voluntarily raised the amount to 75 cents to $1 per day. In all of the American colonies good schools were established for the benefit not only of the children of the Americans themselves but of the Mexican laborers. It was not until these progressive American growers of marketable products located in Mexico that the railroads provided shipping facilities for handling the different kinds of perishable produce and fruits that were in demand in the United States and in the larger cities of this country through the increasing development of various agricultural districts by the Americans. Regular refrigerator car service was provided by the railroads. Although at this time the railroad situation is in a very chaotic condition in Mexico and very little is being done in In Tampa, where he found that his Mexican employees had grown a large crop of sugar cane upon his land. They had begun harvesting the crop with a view of converting it into syrup and sugar when he stopped the proceedings and instructed them that all of the cane produced this year be used for planting purposes. Many cars of tomatoes and other garden produce were shipped from San Diego each year to the United States. Recent inquiries from former residents of the colony who still own their lands there would seem to indicate that there is a prospect of them returning to the place. It was during the period immediately preceding the overthrow of President Porfirio Díaz that the greatest influx of American farmers to Mexico took place. Prospective investors in agricultural lands were brought to this country by the trainloads, coming mostly from Kansas, Iowa, and Dakota and Minnesota. Colonization agents were scattered throughout the United States and all were employed in selling land and locating American farmers thereon. In many instances lands were bought without the purchaser ever seeing the property. These titles still hold good, of course, and it is possible that when complete tranquility comes to Mexico the American investors may locate upon their property, or at least make a personal inventory of what they purchased in years gone by. The most active operations in the colonization of American farmers had for their scene the region bordering the Gulf of Mexico, extending along the lines of the Tampico-Monterey and Tampico-Aguas Calientes divisions of the National Railways of Mexico and reaching back from these lines fo ra distance of perhaps fifty miles. Immediately following the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico down the Pacific Coast of this country from Guaymas to Tepic there came an influx of American farmers who settled in little colonies in the rich valleys of the Puerto, Mayo and Yaqui river and other streams which afford an ample water supply for irrigation purposes. Besides the smaller holders of these comparatively new comers large areas of land were acquired from the government by American corporations of big capital. Many of the Americans who were located upon agricultural lands in the Pacific Coast region of Mexico abandoned their holdings several years ago on account of the dangers that menaced them. Some of these have already returned now that that part of the country is more resilient and it is expected that others will drift in until all are back again. In the States of Vera Cruz, Chiapas, Tabasco and Campeche there are vast areas of land that are known to be suitable for the successful growing of bananas. American interests were just beginning to take advantage of the possibilities of this industry when their development operations were cut short by the revolutionary troubles. In the State of Tabasco one American concern planted a large acreage to bananas and established a line of banana ships plying between Frontera and Galveston. This exportation of bananas promised to rapidly expand as the maruets located in Mexico that the railroads provided shipping facilities for handling the different kinds of perishable produce and fruits that were in demand in the United States and in the larger cities of this country through the increasing development of the various agricultural districts by the Americans. Regular refrigerator car service was provided by the railroads. Although at this time the railroad situation is in a very chaotic condition in Mexico and very little is being done in the way of shipping perishable agricultural products to market, it is expected that in due time the existing difficulties and hindrances will be overcome and the industry restored to what it was in the days before Mexico fell under the blight of revolutionary disturbances. LONDON TO BAGDAD Before the war there was a famous continental train called the "Orient Express," running from Paris to Constantinople, through southern Germany Austria and Hungary. That train now has resumed service. But it no longer runs through the Central Empires. It goes to Constantinople via southern France, northern Italy and Serbia. There is no longer through service from Berlin to Constantinople, and is not likely to be for a long time to come. This development is of special interest in view of the well known Prussian plans for a through line from Berlin to Bagdad. The latter terminus is now a million miles from Berlin, and even the once friendly halfway station, Constantinople, is grown alien and far away. Britain and France, by way of natural penalty for German aggression, have cut Germany off from the Orient. Britain will soon finish the Bagdad end of that famous railway, connecting it up with Constantinople and extending it on to the Persian Gulf. Before many years, too, there is pretty sure to be railroad communication between London and Paris, by means of a tunnel under the English Channel. The German dream will then end in a "London to Bagdad" railway. And whatever of advantage or profit there may be in commercial domination of the East will belong to those who have deserved it. SHOW MILK'S VALUE TO CHILDREN No more convincing proof of the value of milk in the diet of children can probably be found than in the results of experiments conducted for several months by the home demonstration agent in Manatee County, Fla. She has weighed and measured over 2,000 children, and has found that those weighing and measuring up to the standard, or a little above, are almost without exception receiving a great deal of milk. The children much under the standard have been receiving little or no milk. Carrying the experiment further underweight children began almost immediately to show gains when milk was added to their diet. With such evidence as to the value of milk it is not surprising that Manatee county has more dairy cows now than a year ago, and the number is rapidly increasing. The results of this experiment are being used as one of the arguments in a state-wide campaign for more dairy cows. ABOUT THAT SUIT FOR SPRING They have begun to arrive and the styles are the NIFTYEST ever. ABOUT THAT SUIT FOR SPRING They have begun to arrive and the styles are the NIFTYEST ever. And the prices? Oh, they range from $15 to $45. Just about as usual. And have you seen the NEW SHOES? They came in Monday. They are in the NEW VERY DARK TAN COLOR. The kind the regular fellows wear. "BY ALL MEANS GET A FIT" See these first at F.A.Yungbluth Home of Hart Schaffner & Marx ATTENTION! Now is the time to subscribe for the ANAHEIM GAZETTE Always newsy and Now is the time to subscribe for the ANAHEIM GAZETTE Always newsy and reliable. Per year: $1.50 Your Home Paper CROCKER WHEELER ELECTRIC MOTORS —furnish power for every purpose BEND FOR CATALOG—of Pumps, Engines and Motors for Every Service MITH BOOTH USHER CO ESTABLISHED 1893 THE PUMP AND ENGINE HOUSE OF THE PACIFIC COAST LOS ANGELES