THE MICHIGAN DAILY LIGAN DAILY dished 1890 I'l -. fered, to present advice. This commission would be official, and it would be permanent; it would be none of your temporary i'elief boards, which get reforms halfway started and then leave tl em in the hands of a 'poorly informed legislature.' In that earlier editorial, we indicated one phase of the situation illustrating the crying need for such a bIoard: the question of what to do abput those groups which find 'themselves impoverished through their own folly or through mismanage- ment by others. We laid special emphasis on 'the financial difficulties arising out of the recent concrete highway craze, and peculiarly affecting the farmers in Wayne and WVshtenaw C untifes At present it is our purpose to point out some elements of the controversy between adocates 'of the present system of general property tax, and the backers of a proposed income tax scheme. 1 weatr~t N ay ~avr~2 thr v,'-'+4T ~L~r P +,axs~nnw ip., ....,,uo . I Published every morning except Monday during the University year and Summer Session by the Board in Control of Student Publications. Member of the Western Conference Editorial Associa- tion and the Big Ten News Service- MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper and the local news publshed herein..eAllerights o republication of special dispatcies are reserved. Entered at the Post Office at Ann Arbor, Michigan, as econd cla dsmatter. Special rate of postage granted by 'hrd Asistant Postmnaster-Qenera. 8ubs ription during summer by carrier, $1.00; by mail, $$. During regular school year by carrier, $4.00; by ltmai, $4.50. offices: Student Publications Building, Maynard Street, An" Abor, Mihgan. Phone: 2-114. N.8presentatfves: College Publishers Representatives x1.1 40 East Thirty-Fourth Street, New York City; 80 S ston 'Steet, Boston; 612 North Michigan Avenue, EDITORIAL STAFF Telephone 4925 (ANAGING EDITOR..............FRANK B. GILBEETH OITY 'EDITOR...................KARL SEIFFERT SPORTS EDITOR.....................JOHN W. THOMAS WOMEN'S EDITOR.................MARGARET O'BR EN ASSISTANT WOMEN'S EDITOR.......MIRIAM CARVER NIGHT EDITORS: Thomas Connellan, Norman F. Kraft, John W. Pritchard, Joseph A. Renihan, C. Hart Schaaf, |rakey Shaw, Glenn R. Winters. SPORT ASSISTANTS: L. Ross Bain, Fred A. Huber, Albs t Newman, Harmon Wolfe. -*iE'ORTErS: Hyman J. Aronstam, Charles Baird, A. Ellis Ball, charles G. Barncit, James L. Bauchat, Donald R. Bid, Ponald F. Blankert, Charles B. Brownson, Arthur W. Carstens, Ralph G. Coulter, William 0. Ferris, Sidney S Fuket, 'Eric Hall, John C. Healey, Robert B. Hewett, xebrge~ M. ornls, Walter E. Morison, Edwin W. Ric- ardsin, John Simpson, George Van Vleck, Guy M. WIihipple, Jr., W. Stoddard White. Katherine" Anning, Barbara ates, Marjorie E. Bek, Elaiaor B. Bluir, Maurine Burnside, Ellen JaneCooley, Louise Crandall, Dorothy Dishman, Anne Dunbar, Jcanette Duff, Carol J. iiaan, Lois Jotter, Helen Levi- son, Trances J. Manchester, Marie J. Murphy, Eleanor Peteron, Margaret . Pbalan, Katherine Rucker, Harriet Sp+ess Mar o'ie Wesern. q' ~BUSIMNESS STAFF BUSINESS MANAGER,. . ........BYRON C. VEDDER 'CREDIT MANAGER....... .........AZ Y EGLIY WOMEN'S BUSINES 4ANAQER.......DONNA BEOEE DEPARTMENT MANAGERS: -Advertising, Grafton Sharp; Advertising Contracts. rvi Aonson; Advertising Serv- ice, Noel Turner; Aeonnwt , Bernard B. & hnaEe; Qir- Mulation, Gilbert E. rsley; 'ublications Robert E. Finn ASSISTANTSe: Jack Bellamy, Gordon Boylan, Allen Cleve- land, Charles Ebert, Jack Efroymson, Fred Hertriek,. Joseph Hume, Allen Knuusi, Russell Read, Fred Rogers, Lester Skinner, Joseph Sudow, Robert Ward. Elizabeth Aigler, Jane Bassett, Beulah Chapman, Doris ximry, Billie QrlffthS, Virginia Hartz, Catherine Mc- Henr, Helel Olson, Helen Schmude, Maysefried,' Kathryn $tork. SUNDAY, DEC. 11, 1932 Lame Duk Effecs Not All Bad . . THE LAME DUCK lag has, almost' from the inception of the Consti- tution, received a great deal of unfavorable crit- icism. It would appear that the gist of this crit- icism is valid. In government, however, as in most other matters' it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and there is, we think, at least one commendable aspect of tie portion of the Constitution that permits rejected office holders to stay in power months after they have been voted qut. One pf the greatest weaknesses of a democracy" is that its leaders must cater to what the public thinks it wants, must kow-tow to politically pow- erful groups whose best interests may not be the best interests of the majority of the people. The club of the sometimes uninformed public, and of the partisan groups, is the threat to with- draw support at the next election, And the only time that this so frequently unwholesome force loses its effectiveness is precisely during the lame duck lag. Then and only then can the servants of the public work exactly as they think the best interests of the public deserve, without regard for the almost always inevitable alienation of polit- ical support. What is probably an admirable example of this lame duck courage is the present attitude of President Hoover. His message to Congress, spe- cifically in its unflinching advocation of veteran appropriations reduction, is bolder than any of his public utterances on the score during or pre- vious to the campaign struggle. Hesitatingly, during the campaign, he recom- mended that future appropriations be no greater than the current ones. Now, unhesitatingly he pleads for actual reduction in the furture of sums, granted in part to "soldiers" who neither left this country nor received any hurt during the late war, which sums at present approxi- mate a fourth of the Federal budget. It is highly interesting, though not precisely apropos of this discussion, to observe that Presi- dent Hoover's present attitude approximates Al- fred Emmanuel . Smith's, as set forth a few months ago in The Saturday Evening Post. Since this present attitude is undoubtedly fa- vorable to the general public, and since it wM s not made during the campaign, it may safely be imputed to lame duck courage. We do not intend to make a case for the lame duck lag. Its oft-recited weaknesses greatly out- weigh this lone advantage. And even this one good aspect might be turned to a bad one, for no longer looking to an election, the lame duck office holders might use their power in a way inimical to the public interest. But sometimes, the present being a striking example, its effects are not entirely unwholesome, Twenty-five states in the Union already have adopted an income tax; this testifies, certainly, that it is a workable proposition in a state gov- ernment. Actually, it is more than workable; it is the only practical system. It operates on a flexible basis; it is levied upon the ability of th individual to pay, Its superiority over a genera property tax is show n, to cite one illjustration, by the fact that incomes have in the past few years dropped much more rapidly than property values. A general property tax is a frozeli proposition It is bound up with property values which remai comparatively stable in the face of decreasing ability to pay. It is based to a great extent 0o property which need not be declared: persona property, industrial property other than lad anc buildings. A woman who owns a bond paying an income of $40 finds little prcentage in declarin the item when she must pay a tax of $32.36 which was the 1931 rate. An industry with equip- ment valued at $100,000 is equally burdened when in the face of poor business which yields nc profit, it must pay $32.36 on every $1,000 wort" of unexempted property. A general property tax has its place in loca government-but not in state government. Levie must be placed on items tvhcl will yield returns and yield them with a minimum o blod-sueez- ing. The measure of a man's worth is property which can be liquidated, and his income-not frozen property. But, there is a catch to the income tax propo- sition: it is not practical at the present time, for two reasons. (1) If such a measure were pro- posed, it would require time-two years, perhapE -to pass it as an amendment ani carry it into execution; and the government, in the face of the present crisis, needs money in a hurry. (2) Incomes are, toeay, notoriously low, and again we stress the fact that the government needs money quickly. This income tax vs. general property tax con- troversy is anofther phase of the complexities which must be Straightened out. A commission of expert economists, armed with investigatory and advisory powers, alone can do this. Muical Events ZIMBALIST HERE MONDAY IN CHORAL U hION SEZS Efrem Zimbalist, distigglshe4 R 1i1n-An9r- ican violinist will give the feirt i rqgair in toe Choral Union Concert eri(s' fZCid y li, at Bill Auditorium. Chaconne.......... . italU Concerto ............. . .... .. ndlas Allegro, molto appassionrta Andante Allegro, molto vivace Suite Bizarre............... ... . . . ..klo) 1. Etincelles 2. Quasi 3. Grace 4. Grimaces 5. Galanterie 6. Pastorale 7. Moment Dramatique 8. Marche Grotesque Iambourin Chinois ....................Kreisler, La Gitana ............................Kreisler Waltz in G flat ...............Chopin-Spauldin Gypsy Airs.. ....................Sarasate 'THE MESSIAH"- AN APPEAL The decision to make the annual performance of the "Messiah" a benefit concert is no inno- vation in the history of this oratorio. Faulkner's Journal published in Dublin, March 27th, 1742, ays-"For the relief of the prisoners in the sev- ral goals, and for the support of Mercer's hos- pitable and the Charitable Infirmary-will be erformed in the Musick Hall at Fishamble Street, VIr. Handel's - grand new oratorio, called "The :Messiah," in which the gentlemen of the choirs Af both cathedrals will assist, with some con- vertos on the organ by Mr. Handel-tickets to be dad at half a guinea each." Further notice re- quests' the ladies to come without hoops-thus enabling a crowd of seven hundred people to at- 'end this first performance. This series of Dublin concerts which were cli- .naxed in "The Messiah," had become so'popular -hat it was necessary to regulate the traffic, hire a convenient room for the footmen and make a special pasage for sedan chairs-and one can easily imagine that the contribution which these charitable organizations received was no small one. This oratorio was conceived by Handel as a gift to "that generous and polite nation" of Ire- land where he was held in such great esteem, when he resolved to accept a most cordial invita- tion to visit Dublin. The previously mentioned series of concerts in the' new "Musick Hall" only furthered the popularity of this warm hearted composer to whom the happenings of this journey contributed one of the happiest memories of his Even if, after the fashion of his time, he is trudging along, we still find something in it." Our "great effects" cannot all be musical-some of ws may be only "trudging" along, and glad for that littl--but with the assistance of everyone, the Choral Union, the University Symphony, and, most of all, the people of the University and the city, the performance of "The Messiah" this afternoon at Hill Auditorium will gain a very real significance as a community project. -Kathleen Murphy Campus Opinion Letters published in this column should not be construed as expressing the editorial opinion of The Daily. Anonymous communcanons will be disregard- ed. The names of communicants will, however, be re- garded as confidential upon request. Contributors are asked to be brief; confnsing tnemseives to less than 300 words if possible. 'WAR ro The Editor. The following is a slightly modernized version > a part of Tennyson's poem: "The Charge of! he Light Brigade." An equally appropriate title night be: "Cannon Fodder." "Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs out to do and die: Into the Valley of Death Rode the " TEN MILLIONS (1914-1918) What did they die for? Let the reader decide. --1%Levi, Professor Emeritus. :APITAL FOR QURAISHI 'o The Editor: Every day, in every way, our illusions, if any, ire shattered one by one. Imagine my sorrow to :ead in The Daily, in connection with the Co- >perative Bookstore Project, sponsored by that irdent socialist, Sher Quraishi, that a "$2 deposit nould be required from all members in order to provideycapital for the project." Capital! I shall ')robably go out and drown my sorrow for the socialistic cause by splurging in several shares of 3ookstore preferred on the Ann Arbor curb narket. -Oscar The City fathers of Portland, Ore., have hit .ipon a sensible economy. They no longer insure ,he fire houses against burning down. The unterrified observer who described the dry debate in Congress as "pretty frantic" just about hit the nail on the head. -Detroit Free Press AI" Christmas Carols Christmas Reading Come to Our Christmas Party at HARRIS HALL (Corner State and Huron) TONIGHT! Supper 6:15 P. M. Top Off Your Appearane Wear a newly cleaned and blocked hat home for the Christmas vacation. It will add noticeably to your personal appearance. Our hand labor assures you that your hat will receive the most careful attention, and will produce the most flawless cleaning.; FACTORY HATSHOP 'te4 S.State El~ft 4 If you~ write, wre bave it. Cor'1eepond.0nce Stationery,' Youu4taix Peas, Ink, etc. '+ypo riters all,makes. Greeting C rdsfoa v oy 0. I MORR I L, Paee, She fer Wter~, Conklin, etc., $1.00oaid up. in St.,M~ Ard rla VIOLIN RECITAL Chor Unio n Seriesm Tickets $1.00- $1.50.- $2.00. $.a HIL AUDITORIUM I MONDAY, DEC. 12, at 8:15 1 ., -------e.- ..- . & STRIPES By Karl Seiffert Charles F. Pace, Senate financial clerk, lost his temper the other day and went about brandishing a revolver in search of a reporter against whom be had a grievance. The reporter, we presilme, had refcrred to him as Senator Pace. A Detroit woman told a jury that she had given a real estate salesman $2,170 to demon- strate a fluid which, he said, "made two bills grow where only one grew before." But when he cisappeared with her money she concluded that the stuff was just the old oil after all. Arrested on a charge of illegally driving away a car, a Cleveland man told police that he taken it to go to Youngstown to get Sw tri. The grand jury examining the case retrned a. no-bill, apparently feeling that the man was already sufficiently punished. Akron, 0., officials who opposed sharp reduc- tions in fire and police department budgets on the ground that the town would be placed "at the mercy of thugs, high-jacIers, bootleggers and gamblers" overlooked a first-class opportunity to turn their municipality into a regular big city. It seems there has been talk in Chicago con- cerning the advisability of holding a Michign- Colgate football game there. Let's you and him fight. Headline- PAR44UAY-OLIVIA ITIS DEADLOCKED Will you gays stop arbitrating and fight this thing out "What is a saloon?" the National W. C. T. U. has asked. A saloon, judging by figures on the number of speakeasies in big citis. is a popular institution that temperance organizations are fighting to prevent the return of. * S S And there is the New York physician who has invented a device to restore life to people who have died of shock or fright. That ought to be a good thing for freshmen to send home with the first month's bills. Morton Downey, prominent crooner, be- came the father of a baby boy the other day. The child, it is rumored, has so far gotten only as far as "-tell her that I'm sa-had and lo-honely-" A Canton, China, editor was fined $80 for writing an article derogatory to the Japanese em- peror. Men have been made Congressmen hereI for less than that. XMAS SALE Cut to $3.90 -"$4.90 - $5.90 SLIPP.ERS ICut to 95c -- $1.95"--$2.85 We Exchange After Xmas, C k011AMPUS BOOJTERY ~1 i ,.. ro ; A A - Wy *0 ~4p 4 Qive The Qift That L res.. JEWELRY FOR HIM- FOR HE R F Cigarette Lighters Compacts and Cases Costume Jewelry Rings Necklaces Smoking Sets Toilet=Sets Make-Up Boxes COLLEGE AND FRATERNITY JEWELRY Aandthe OFFICIAL MICHIGAN RING d~kArcade JwlySo CARL F. BAY aA t I I