anaheim-gazette 1935-02-07

THE ANAHEIM GAZETTE HENRY KUCHEL, Editor and Publisher ESTABLISHED 1870 ISSUED EVERY THURSDAY SUBSCRIPTION PER YEAR ... $2.00 SIX MONTHS ... $1.00 Entered at the Anaheim, California Postoffice as second-class matter. THE FORGOTTEN COUPLE As we figure it now, the doctor who delivered the Dionne quintuplets is getting more credit than the parents. OUR TEACHERS GETTING FOSSILIZED Orange county's public school teachers are a party to one of the most fossilized and backward expressions of belief on public record. These teachers are members of the California State Teachers' association, which pays $80,000 annual salaries to two of the most notorious lobbyists in the history of the state for the purpose of boosting teachers' pay, writing the teachers' tenure act into the state constitution in such a way that small communities cannot overcome its evil features, and many other entirely selfish and unwarranted objectives. Recently the association, on behalf of Orange county school teachers and instructors from the other 57 counties in California, decided that one of the best methods of maintaining or increasing monies guaranteed the school system from the state treasury was to suggest ways and means of levying new taxes. Accordingly, the association included in its program a statement that "In the long run advertising does nothing to create social wealth" and recommended a three per cent tax upon advertising. If the teachers had simply recommended a tax on advertising they might have escaped disclosing their extreme ignorance. Talk about advertising not contributing to our social wealth is as foolish as talk about the world not being round. Not all the teachers, however, join with the association in thus displaying their ignorance. The Butte County Teachers association, for example, adopted a resolution which said, in part: monies guaranteed the school system from the state treasury was to suggest ways and means of levying new taxes. Accordingly, the association included in its program a statement that "In the long run advertising does nothing to create social wealth" and recommended a three per cent tax upon advertising. If the teachers had simply recommended a tax on advertising they might have escaped disclosing their extreme ignorance. Talk about advertising not contributing to our social wealth is as foolish as talk about the world not being round. Not all the teachers, however, join with the association in thus displaying their ignorance. The Butte County Teachers association, for example, adopted a resolution which said, in part: "We regret in particular the inclusion of the statement 'In the long run advertising does nothing to create social wealth', made in the recent bulletin issued by the state organization's research director. We do not relinquish our rights and duties to actively participate in the solution of government problems, as citizens, but believe that an organization of public employees has ethical limitations to its proper sphere of activity." Until Orange county's teachers take a definite stand otherwise, they must be tied up with the state teachers' association, and stand on that group's public display of fossilization. A LA BARON MUNCHAUSEN Both the federal and state governments are quoting such large figures that they appear to be aping the old literary character of Baron Munchausen, who relied upon extravagant use of figures to tickle our funny bones. This governmental use of the same formula might be funny, too, if we didn't have to pay the piper. HOW MANY TAXES DO YOU PAY? Did you ever stop to figure out how many taxes you pay? If you are an average individual, with average income and the propensity to indulge in average habits, you probably help pay about 2,000 different taxes. This sounds like a great many, true. But consider how many taxes you help pay on just a few ordinary items, and you will understand why the price of things has to be high in order to pay the indirect taxes levied upon you, and every other individual in these United States. When you walk into the bakery and plunk down a dime for a loaf of bread you are helping pay 17 kinds of taxes. If you walk home from the store, you are wearing out shoes which are taxed 23 times. Or, if you ride home in an automobile, you are paying 42 different kinds of taxes. Should you take the street car your fare is helping pay 58 kinds of taxes. If, while riding the street car, you smoke a cigarette to pass the time away, you are assisting in paying for 39 more taxes. Altogether, these indirect taxes number about 2,000. Obviously, the farmer must get enough out of his crops to pay the taxes on the personal property, pay gasoline and oil taxes, and a tax for being in business, as well as numerous other levies. If the transportation company happens to be incorporated it pays an incorporation tax, and if it made any money at all it must pay an income tax. The wholesaler of that farmer's products must pay a great many more taxes than the truck owner, because the wholesaler's sphere of influence is wider. Likewise, the various transportation companies, and the merchants must pay in a score of ways for the privilege of being in business. Of course, these people wouldn't be in business if they didn't make enough to pay their taxes. Which means that the cost of taxes is added to the cost of the article. And the consumer, who pay the taxes on the personal property, pay gasoline and oil taxes, and a tax for being in business, as well as numerous other levies. If the transportation company happens to be incorporated it pays an incorporation tax, and if it made any money at all it must pay an income tax. The wholesaler of that farmer's products must pay a great many more taxes than the truck owner, because the wholesaler's sphere of influence is wider. Likewise, the various transportation companies, and the merchants must pay in a score of ways for the privilege of being in business. Of course, these people wouldn't be in business if they didn't make enough to pay their taxes. Which means that the cost of taxes is added to the cost of the article. And the consumer, who pays a few score taxes when he purchases an item from the store, now must dig down into his jeans for a direct sales tax, as well. We hear a lot about tax equalization, but not very much about tax reduction. The theory some people work under is to equalize taxes and everybody will give an organized yelp, forcing down ultimate cost of government. That just will not work, because one class of people always will strive to obtain an advantage over another. Real relief from excessive taxation will come when we decide to force our governments to spend less. And the time to equalize taxes is during the process of cutting them. EVOLUTION The old-fashioned woman who used to get a kick out of game of drop the handkerchief now has a daughter who is captain of the girls' boxing team. ADMINISTRATION CANNOT "TAKE IT" From the day of his inauguration till the present time, one of the favorite pastimes of President Franklin D. Roosevelt has been to flay "the money changers in high places." He takes particular delight in making odious comparisons, in insinuating that the reason we are having our present social upheaval is because key men in our banking and industrial system have sought means of getting around our laws, and numerous other acts that cannot be construed as exactly neighborly and honest. Investigations sponsored by the administration have left no clue uncovered which would throw discredit upon sharp practices. With these important points in mind, it is hard for us to comprehend the other side of these same administration "leaders." On one hand they condemn business practices which are just outside the law, and on the other hand the brain trusters connive to get around our Constitution. When the gold policy was first discussed the exhuberant lights of the administration loudly proclaimed that the cancellation of the gold clause and violation of the sanctity of contract by the government was okeh, and would be held constitutional by SCHOOL DAYS By DWIG I'M GONNA GIT THE TWO THINGS, CAUSE MY DAD KEEPS TEEN' ME I ARENT GONNA GIT IT - I KIN ALWAYS TELL WHAT HE DONT MEAN BY THE WAY HE KEEPS INSISTING ON IT— WELL, I'M SURE OF ONE THING, THATS THE SET OF TOOLS, CAUSE I FOUND EM HID UNDER THE SOFT— LAUNDRY SOAP THE FORESTERS the supreme court. The administration followed this advice, cut the gold value of the dollar, and now faces the crucial test of whether or not it is constitutional. Although the supreme court has not given any indication of what its decision might be, there has been considerable discussion about the probable effects of its decision. There is no secret that in the last month members of the supreme court have been invited to White House luncheons, that various brain trusters have done their utmost to entertain the dignataries who sit upon the supreme bench. It is no secret, also, that five of the nine have declined even the White House invitations, apparently determined that no cloud of suspicion shall be cast upon them. While the justices maintaining strict silence, leaders of the New Deal have announced that whatever the court decides, the gold policy of the administration will continue "as is". In other words, and apparently with President Roosevelt's approval, the fictitious characters known as "administration spokesmen," have decreed that Uncle Sam now will set an example, not of merely violating or hanging on the fringes of a mere income tax law, but how artistically to nullify our own Constitution. Apparently, the administration is prepared to throw its two billion dollar gold "profit" into the breach to hold down the value of the dollar, and in the meantime getting a meek and obedient congress to pass a constitutional amendment and hang the threat of federal relief fund reprisals over the heads of state legislatures, thus forcing 36 of them to pass the amendment within about six weeks. That is the ultimate ignominy to which the administration can stoop. Roosevelt and his brain trusters have thrived upon the praise heaped their way, but when the worm turns they are proving they cannot "take it." GUM UP THE WORKS The Chinese chew 70,000,000 sticks of gum each year. If they choose to throw their discarded wads in the right places they need fear no Japanese invasion. OLD AGE PENSIONS Without attempting to pass upon the merits or otherwise of the bill which has been introduced by Senator Wagner of New York and Representative Lewis of Maryland, providing for a national system of old-age pensions, we believe that the great majority of Americans are in hearty agreement with the fundamental principles involved. We know of nobody who is not in favor of some effective system of providing for those whom in old age, are unable to support themselves in decent comfort. We believe that the plan of building up, during an individual's working life, a fund to which the worker, the employer and perhaps the state contributors, which will provide an annuity for OBSERVATIONS SMOKE SIGNALS Even though the next president election is two years away, both parties are holding their ears to ground and trying to find out why the wind blows. The only way the democrats have is who they run for vice-president. There are fast ones in the republican field are nibbling at the bait for the presidential chair, and their lightning no doubt will soon be run up. The test for supremacy the next time perhaps be the most momentous in history of this country and no longer even though the NRA tried hard run out of gas. MAKING BOTH ENDS MEET An interesting story comes Glasgow that the pay envelopes Scotch ministers are thinner this than formerly owing to the slump Scotch whiskey to this country because of the repeal of prohibition over Scotland's stipend was fixed on a standard price of barley. This course offered a fine market for the Scotch beverage while prohibition was waging. That's all over now. It is now, when a Scotch minister performs a marriage ceremony, he always tries to couple out in the chicken yard that the hens will pick up the Hoot Mon! TAKING THE POLE You may talk about it until you black in the face, but when conquered the old age pension bill had itsponents hanging over the ropes, counting noses. CUPID, THEY ARE CALLING Y The old age pension it is said we greatly stimulate the marriage bush on both sides of the wedding Grooms are now actually hanging the missletoe. LOOKS PRACTICAL, BUDDY DOESNT IT! If all the big corporations and Without attempting to pass upon the merits or otherwise of the bill which has been introduced by Senator Wagner of New York and Representative Lewis of Maryland, providing for a national system of old-age pensions, we believe that the great majority of Americans are in hearty agreement with the fundamental principles involved. We know of nobody who is not in favor of some effective system of providing for those whom in old age, are unable to support themselves in decent comfort. We believe that the plan of building up, during an individual's working life, a fund to which the worker, the employer and perhaps the state are contributors, which will provide an annuity for old age, is the soundest possible way of accomplishing this end. It removes completely any possible stigma of pauperism, which is inevitably attached to gratuitous grants of unearned benefits. As to what the amount of such pensions should be, and whether the compulsory retirement age should be 60, 65, or 70 years, there is a great diversity of opinion. There is much to be said for the voluntary annuity system proposed for the "self-employed," whereby the farmer, the doctor, the lawyer or anyone else who is not attached to a payroll, can place a small part of his or her income in trust with the government, from year to year, to accumulate until the retiring age is reached, when an income for life may then be derived from the accumulated fund. We understand such a system has been employed in England for more than two hundred years. To the hopeful elderly persons who have been looking forward to immediate old-age pension checks from the government, the bill as introduced offers little solace. Provision is made for joint state and federal relief for those who are practically destitute, but the age at which this relief shall begin may be placed as high as 70 years. This does not bring much comfort to those in their sixties who have been led to believe there was a chance of getting $200 a month right now. At any rate, the Wagner-Lewis bill is a start toward a goal at which the nation, sooner or later, must arrive. CHECK HIS WEEKLY CHECKS A model husband, girls, is all right if you pick one that is a working model. ARE YOU THRIFTY? Thrift is saving a dime by shining your own shoes; it is resisting the temptation to have someone clean your car and do it yourself; it is writing a letter to Aunt Susie and having other members of the family add postscripts. Thrift, in short, is watching the pennies so carefully that you live within your income and have enough to spare to afford such luxuries as taxes and charities. THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON ECONOMIC SECURITY Topping all other subjects now under discussion, is the president's economic security proposal, which has taken precedence of the veterans' bonus and the 4 billion dollar work relief project. Those haven't been shelved; a bonus measure will be enacted which will meet the veterans' demands at least half-way. And the 4 billions for public works will be voted almost as a matter of routine, with probably fewer strings attached to it than had been anticipated. But the big thing of the moment, which may turn out to be the biggest thing in this administration's career, when history comes to be written, is the gigantic plan for nation-wide old age pensions under federal supervision, unemployment insurance on a national scale, with a broad child welfare and public health program tacked on for good measure. Boiled down to essentials, the plan proposed by the president and embodied in the Wagner-Lewis bill, makes the following provisions: 1. Old Age security. A pension of $30 a month for every person over the age of 65—that means $60 for man and wife both over 65—to be paid half by the states and half by the federal government, to persons now without adequate means of subsistence, or who may reach that age before the old age annuity funds provided for in the bill have built up enough to provide that income. An annual tax on payrolls to provide old-age retirement funds as well as to build up an unemployment insurance fund. Provisions whereby "self-employed" persons, such as farmers, professional men and others may make voluntary payments to the annuity fund, entitling them to receive a life pension when they reach 65 years. 2. Unemployment Insurance. A tax on all payrolls, to be paid by employers, plicated; that it ought to be divided into four bills, covering the four subjects. The principal objection is that the $30 a month old-age pension isn't high enough to satisfy the advocates of the Townsend plan. The president himself, in his talk to newspaper men about it, suggested that the pension figure might be raised to $40. The influence of the advocates of the Townsend project for $200 a month pensions for everybody over 60 is amazing, especially in the lower house. And they want it now. The Wagner-Lewis bill would defer annuities granted as a matter of right until 1942; pensions granted before then will be only to those who can prove that they are practically destitute, and until 1940 the age limit for such pensions may be fixed at 70 years instead of 65. The big fight of the old age feature of the measure will be, then, on three fronts—to reduce the age limit to sixty, to increase the monthly pension to much more than $30, and to make it include both husband and wife, and to provide for payments to everybody of the required age without making it necessary for them to declare themselves paupers. States Must Cooperate One important feature of the bill is that it calls for cooperation by the states, specifying the kind of old-age pension systems which states must set up if their citizens are to benefit under the economic security act, which is the official title of the measure. Twenty-eight states now have old age pension laws, varying greatly in detail and amount of pensions paid. The average is $19.34 a month. Nearly 115,000 old people received over 26 million dollars in 1933 under these state systems. Now states which want to participate must reform their old-age plans if they want federal aid and as SERVATIONS SMOKE SIGNALS ought the next presidential two years away, both big are holding their ears to the and trying to find out which wind blows. The only worry crats have is who they will ce-president. There are some in the republican field who ing at the bait for the presiair, and their lightning rods will soon be run up. The consupremacy the next time will be the most momentous in the this country and no foolin', high the NRA tried hard but of gas. ING BOTH ENDS MEET resting story comes from that the pay envelopes of ministers are thinner this year early owing to the slump of iskey to this country because deal of prohibition over here. to an old custom the Scotch stipend was fixed on the price of barley. This country fine market for the Scotch while prohibition was workt's all over now. It is said in a Scotch minister performs the ceremony, he always takes out in the chicken yard, so heens will pick up the rice. TAKING THE POLE by talk about it until you get the face, but when congress old age pension bill had its opgang over the ropes, and mooses. THEY ARE CALLING YOU age pension it is said would simulate the marriage business rides of the wedding bells. are now actually hanging up toe. IS PRACTICAL, BUDDY, DOESNT IT! the big corporations and the annuity funds provided for in the bill have built up enough to provide that income. An annual tax on payrolls to provide old-age retirement funds as well as to build up an unemployment insurance fund. Provisions whereby "self-employed" persons, such as farmers, professional men and others may make voluntary payments to the annuity fund, entitling them to receive a life pension when they reach 65 years. 2. Unemployment Insurance. A tax on all payrolls, to be paid by employers, half of it to be deducted from the pay of employees, to be used to compensate employees who are laid off or otherwise unable to work, and also to build up the old age pension fund. 3. Maternal Welfare and Child Health. Appropriation of $4,000,000 a year to be used by the federal children's bureau in cooperation with states, for mothers' pensions, welfare work generally in connection with rearing and physical care of children. 4. Public Health Service. Appropriation of $10,000,000 a year to enable this federal bureau to co-operate with states in improving health conditions. Bill Favored, But— There is little likelihood that the bill will be finally enacted in its present form. There is wide-spread commendation of its purposes on both sides of both houses. Some sort of a measure, embodying those general ideas, seems certain to be enacted at this session. Among objections raised to the bill as introduced, one is that it is too compelling motives for the pressure behind the bill—the heaviest pressure the president has yet seen fit to exert upon congress—is the desire to take the wind out of the sails of Senator Huey Long and his redistribution of wealth program, as well as to head off the menace of the great mass of votes behind the Townsend Plan. THE BOOK the first line of which reads, "The Holy Bible," and which contains Four Great Treasures BY BRUCE BARTON JOSEPH And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him; and he (Potiphar) made him overseer over his house, and all that he had. And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me... and he fled, and got him out. The illicit love of Potiphar's wife, and her revenge when the young overseer refused to betray the trust of his out their help? He whom a dream hath possessed treads the invincible: From the dust of the day's long road he leaps to a laughing star; And the ruin of worlds that fall he views from celestial arches. And rides God's battlefield in a golden and shining car. The dreamer may ride in the golden car at the end, as the poets inform us, but he treads a long hard path in the beginning. The Ishmaelites bought Joseph when his brothers removed him from the pit into which they had cast him, and he tramped beside their camels down the dusty trail into Egypt. THEY ARE CALLING YOU age pension it is said would simulate the marriage business rides of the wedding bells. are now actually hanging up toe. PRACTICAL, BUDDY, DOESNT IT? The big corporations and the new, too, would pay two cents dollar's worth of business to provide funds for the old pension, it looks like the would be self-sustaining and at the band. PERpetual Motion In speaking about the tests of the revolving pension, recent tax on the dollar would trick. Everytime a dollar in business it would earn the money; and if it turns over fifty month it would earn as it was worth, and still LITTLE BIT HELPS with figures have been tearside off the old age pension. They claim the money twice the amount of all now received. Anyway the would solve the unemployment would reduce crime 75 perould empty the prisons and grafters for a row of hot rations and holding companies. CHICH YOUR STEP MR. CONGRESSMAN And 20 million people have relations asking for the old age of that bill doesn't go through it will be the major issue (just like prohibition) and on many new faces will be on line in a high legislative hall romac, and the old timers will a return ticket. DREW THE SPOTLIGHT The old age pension caused a rattling of the old dry bones and shook things up quite a bit, and even though it doesn't make the grade this time it has laid the ground work for some good relief measures later on. Ask your neighbor. WATCHING WHICH WAY THE CAT WILL JUMP Members in a high hall of legislation, who love their jobs, like a bee likes its honey, will have to choose up sides, as to how they will vote on the pension bill, and they will have to be darn careful for the eyes of the folks at home are upon them. BUT, GEE WHIZ, LADY YOU HAD US ALL GUESSING AS IT WAS The intrepid air ace who landed on this coast safely from a flight from Honolulu, expressed regret, owing to an unavoidable delay, after landing that she was prevented from making a non-stop flight to Washington. EMPTYING THE BENCHES When the firing member from a southern state got the floor the other day in the big time show on Capitol Hill, it is said many members adjourned to the cloak rooms, instead of putting cotton in their ears; but boy, that man sure said something and no foolin'.