The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 8

8 NATIONAL WHIRLIGIG BROOKLYN EAGLE, TUESDAY, JAN. 27, 1942 Lehman 25 P. C. Tax Cut Plan Is Amazing and Constructive RAY TUCKER'S LETTER FROM WASHINGTON Army lawyers are writing legislation assure that families of troops missing in action will continue to receive pay allotments pending final determination of the casualties' fate. The prospect that our men will fight on a far-flung battle line h4 rexing problem which never before confronted the military financiers.

Many officer and privates on foreign sem-ice make generou allowance to the home folks. Some retain only enough cash for luxury purchases at the canteen. These allocations cease as soon as a soldier 1 reported killed, except for the six months' salary awarded to immediate relative. Under the proposed law a lost man's remuneration runs on until he is known to be dead. The difficulty arises only when these arrangement have been continued for a period beyond the date of his decease.

The bill's framers are instructed to provide that monies erroneously distributed to his kin need not be returned. Nor will the disbursing officers be held liable. All such posthumous transactions will be validated. Chairman Vinson of the House Naval Affair Committee has already introduced a measure on behalf of naval personnel who disappear during an engagement. Under his schema recompenses would be forwarded to designated beneficaries for 12 months.

Thereafter a sailor would be presumed to have lost his life and hi name would be stricken from the rolls. lira m. 4 One of the best pieces of news that has come out of Albany in a long time Is Governor Lehman's recommendation in his budget message to the Legislature for a 25 percent reduction in each individual's personal income tax this Spring. He recommends a similar reduction in the Spring of 1943. This is in addition to the relief from the emergency 1 percent tax on personal incomes abolished last year in accordance with the Governor's proposal.

That the Governor was Intent on economy was made clear in his message at the opening of the 1942 session on January 7. Large cuts had since been forecast. But the actual figures go far beyond any prediction. Those familiar with the State's finances had thought anything more than a 10 percent cut bordered on the fantastic. The Governor estimates that the new cuts will total $40,600,000 in the next two years.

With the emergency tax cut, already voted, the saving for the taxpayers for the two years reaches ft grand total of $86,600,000. That this can be dons is all the more remarkable when it is considered that the State, according to the Governor's estimate, faces a prospective $60,000,000 loss of motor fuel and motor vehicle tax receipts attributable to war rationing and restrictions. The cuts are made possible only by the most rigid economizing. The Governor's formula, as stated in the concluding sentence in his message is to "spend money for nothing that does not directly contribute to the efficiency and morale of the citizenry of a state at war and the security of our country." Mr. Lehman rejected the proposal to deduct the taxpayer's Federal income tax from his State income tax base on the ground that it Is chiefly a "rich man's" plan.

He stated that only 5.6 percent of our taxpayers report incomes in excess of $10,000 and yet 90 percent of the tax deduction would accrue to the benefit of thia group. In spite of that, we feel the proposal fair and Just especially since Washington sees fit to make the same arrangement for Federal taxpayers in respect to the State income taxes they pay. However, this seems like a relatively small matter when compared to the huge reductions which the Governor would give all taxpayers in all brackets. We were also glad to note that the Governor provided for a shift to four equal tax payments a year instead of the present three-payment arrangement. Since the Governor and Assemblyman Moffat made an agreement for this to begin in 1944, the Republicans have come forward with a plan to put the change into effect this year.

It should be a simple matter for the Governor and Mr. Moffat to compose their differences in this matter. The 25 percent tax cut sjiould be Governor Lehman's most popular move in his ten years in the Executive Mansion. THE ACCUSING FINGER HEFFERNAN says Litters must bear signatures anrJ addresses of writers but pen names will be permitted at the discretion of the editor, who reserves th right to cut them down to meat requirements of space. their interest.

If he persists in neglecting that job, merely because the Charter provides for an assistant, he should be removed from it. ALFRED E. STEVENSON. Brooklyn, Jan, 17. Labor and War Encouraging to the desire for national unity is the reaction of labor to President Roosevelt's formation of a joint C.

I. O. and A. F. of L.

committee to discuss with him the problems of labor's share in the war. After several years of disturbed labor relations, it probably is too much to expect perfect peace to descend immediately, but the reaction of the two big labor groups seems to promise an approach to a better understanding and a willingness to subordinate petty differences for the larger good. That in itself is already a distinct gain. official Reports Vary Leaving the Public Confused i I' In "Willing Hands" Louis M. Rabinowitz, vice president of the Jewish Hospital, who was the host at the recent Interfaith dinner to the Most Rev.

Thomas E. Molloy in honor of his twentieth anniversary as Catholic Bishop of Brooklyn, is to be commended for his constructive idea of publishing a complete record of that historic occasion. Presentation of copies of the handsome brochure, with its appropriate title, "Willing Hands," containing many photographs of the guest of honor and other notables present and the full text of the speeches all arranged under the direction of Max Abelman to libraries, colleges and leaders of thought throughout the country should be most helpful in disseminating the ideal of community good will and practical Americanism. LETTERS TO THE EAGLE Believes All-Year Daylight Saving Will Not Aid Power Conservation To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: I cannot see how daylight saving for twelve months a year will help us win the war. I like daylight saving from April to September, but how can we save daylight from September to April? Forcing millions of people to get up when it is an hour colder and an hour darker, using electric power an hour longer before they go to work instead of after they get home how does that help conserve electric power? The defense plants, in most cases, are operating on a 24-hour schedule anyway, so it makes no difference to them; also, many plants have painted their windows black and have to use artificial light all day, regardless of clocks, m.

M. M. Brooklyn, Jan. 25. A strictly commerial dispute between two special interest cliques has blocked construction of the vital military highway between the United States and exposed Alaska.

In view of potential Japanese naval or aerial operations off this coast, President Roosevelt and Premier Mackenzie King may force a showdown. Canadian parties demand that the road follow the so-called inland route east of the Rocky Mountains. Roughly this would run from Prince George, British Columbia, to Dawson and thence to Fairbanks. Our Arctic region citizens are plugging for a western line skirting the Pacific shore and extending from Prince George to Juneau and the Fairbanks terminus. Dominion strategists maintain that their proposal possesses greater wartime value because the eastern link would serve existing airfields in the Northwest territory.

Americans contend that these facilities are too distant from the ocean to provide ready access to fighting aircraft. F. D. R. has hesitated to intervene for fear of offending Ottawa and the International Joint commission has dodged the delicate issue.

But the Tojo threat requires an immediate decision. Enemy subs would isolate our northernmost lands if they severed the seaway connection which affords the only avenue of supplies. Already maritime insurance rates have increased 45 percentr-a tariff estimated to boost annual living expenses for every white family there by four hundred dollars. Naval experts have privately envisaged our remote possession as the scene of "another Pearl Harbor" because it is from here that plane destined to drop bombs on Tokio would take off on their first leg. Despite the FBI's roundup of spies, Washington officials suspect that enemy agent still linger in the Capital and elsewhere.

A White House spokesman admitted their presence when he requested reporters to make no mention of the British Prime Minister's movements until after his safe arrival in London. As Stalin said when he refused permission for United States observers to visit his battle, front, "You people talk too much." It would help a lot If Production Boss Nelson authorized a special issue of zippers for official lip. Free French Seizure of French Islands Called Un-American Act To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: The most Important doctrine in the foreign policy of our nation is that no territory in the Western Hemisphere shall be transferred from one foreign nation to another. A more recent corollary is the doctrine of hemisphere solidarity. Both policies are endangered by the recent change in the status quo ante bellum of the little French islands of St.

Pierre and Miquelon. President Cleveland threatened war for much less. The pretense that there has been a plebiscite under the guns of a warship or the promise that there will be another plebiscite under the guns of our fleet will not help very much. Every South American politician remembers a number of different coup d'etats in which American or English money or guns or both were used to help elect or defeat a Latin-American president. The recent action by the Free French is too dramatic a reminder for the eve of the conference at Rio.

GEORGE DYSON FRIOU. Brooklyn, Jan. 20. Truman Report Questioned It Is disconcerting to learn from Lieut. Gen.

H. H. Arnold, deputy chief of staff for air, that the Truman committee did not call any representative of the air force as a witness before it issued its recent report, which condemned, among other things, the caliber of pursuit planes being produced here. According to General Arnold, the United States is getting both quality and quantity in airplane production and our new pursuit planes are the best in the world. If the Truman committee is to retain public confidence it must demonstrate the complete fairness and objectivity of its findings.

Mr. Swope's Fine Job The resignation of Gerard Swope as chairman of the Municipal Housing Authority to assist Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau on special war work is the Federal Government's gain but the city's loss. For over two years Mr. Swope has done an important job here in the housing field in an outstanding manner. Mayor LaGuardia's success in persuading the former president of the General Electric Company to serve his Administration is most praiseworthy.

This is just another instance of the generally high calibre of citizens that Mr. LaGuardia has brought into the public service since he has been at City Hall. Awful Truth I From the Scranton Tribune 1 Light heads are often behind headlights. Says Mayor Has Neither Time -Nor Temperament to Head OCD To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: While I disagree with the laudation of the Mayor by the committee for a full-time Mayor, as voiced in their letter appearing in the Eagle, I heartily commend their intention to move for his removal. The greatest flying Mayor New York has ever had apparently intends to do as he pleases about holding these two important jobs, regardless of how the press or public feel about it.

When he appoints a commissioner, a judge or any other public official who comes under the Mayor's Jurisdiction he expects that man to confine his efforts to the job to which he has been appointed, but it seems to be quite different with him. He was elected for a third term. The issue of a part-time Mayor was brought out in the recent campaign, and patriotism" was the only answer. It is now about time that this matter was brought to a final showdown. The "Little Flower," to my mind, is temperamentally unfit to head Civilian Defense.

Mr. LaGuardia broadcasting to the public, exhorting them to 'be calm," to my mind is a laughable travesty. As Mayor, he is the paid servant of the people of New York, who have a right to demand that he devote his full time and energy to an office so vital to Difficulty Increases with the war's expansion for commentators who believe that among a literate people, or even an illiterate people endowed with native intelligence, truth Is a most vital element of morale. It has always seemed to me that it was a commentators duty, if he were worth his salt, to pull no punches in his excoriation of evil if that evil were manifest and indisputable. Information today, however.

Is not always reliable and criticism based on misinformation or mere assumption may become in itself an evil. These reflections come to me as I read an article by Hanson Baldwin, the studious and useful writer on military affairs of the New York Times. Mr. Baldwin has seen our Army work from the inside. He has observed the Army in camp and in grand maneuvers.

He has visited the factories where the gear of war is fabricated. Consequently he can write with an authority of which some of his fellow craftsmen cannot boast I among them. His article which lies on my desk deals with two recent official reports the Truman report of the U. S. Senate Committee, and the Archibald MacLeish Office of Facts and Figures "Report to the Nation." Those who have followed Mr.

MacLeish's line would expect his report to be far more figurative than factual. It is. According to Mr. Baldwin the Truman report in the sections most widely publicized as "unduly critical" and in considerable measure unsupported by present facts. "The MacLeish report," he says, "is not critical at ail, and its roseate optimism is not justified by present facts." In hard facts the Truman Report gave some truth to the public, although the Intervention of time since the date of the committee In-quiry has resulted in measurable Improvement.

The MacLeish report was a bonbon box of the "Happy Days Are Here Again" stuff. It Is harmful because it is the output of an executive agency engaged in the manufacture of psychological lollypops. There is great trouble for people when the sources of its information are clouded. We are not one political group at war, or one political party, or even an Army and a Navy; we me a whole people at war. As such only can we be sure of our leadership and sure of ourselves.

We realize that some camounage may be necessary to deceive the enemy, but with the entire people engaged in the prosecution of the war camouflage concocted to deceive an enemy may not fool the foe but fool the people. And when minor functionaries prepare the camouflage the effect is bound to be bad on the home front. So the sooner smart Alecklsm Is eliminated from national leadership the sooner the Administration follows the example of MacArthur who said, "I shall not sugarcoat the truth for the Philippine people," the more intelligent and efficacious will be our mass effort for victory. Carlyle said of the French Revolutionary, St. Just, that he was perpetually walking around with his head in his hand, adoring it.

Bureaucratic St. Justs in Washington will not win th war. 25 YEARS AGO IN BROOKLYN January 27, 1917 Controller William A. Prendergast and Bor. ough President Lewis H.

Pounds called upon Senator Alvah W. Burlingame to present to a grand jury any information or evidence upon which he based his charge that there was, if not collusion between certain public official and officers of the New York Central Railroad on the West Side Terminal contracts, at least inertness and Indifference in assertion and protection of the city's rights. GRIN AND BEAR IT WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE? By EDGAR A. GUEST They have thought us easy-going. We've been that beyond a doubt.

Now they'll learn, since they've attacked us, thick or thin, we stick it out. They have thought us money-grubbers and have sneered at us for that, But they'll change their minds about us when It comes our turn to bat. What kind of people are we? Let us answer one and all; The kind of people willing to respond to duty's call, The kind that hates injustice and will battle hard and long To smash all evil forces and make right what's plainly wrong. They have sneered at us for sleeping when we should have been awake. They have jeered at us for keeping all the promises we make.

Well, we've promised all deliverance from the vicious tyrant hordes, -And until we've kept that promise we shall never sheathe our swords. Let us shout it to their faces, they shall sneer at us no more. We shall track them down the oceans and shall dog them on the shore, Wheresoe'er they slink for safety, we shall follow day and night Until men are freed forever from the tyranny of might. President Fred W. Atkinson announced that Joseph Dana Alien, now headmaster of Nichols 8chool of Buffalo, would be headmaster of the Poly Prep Country Day School when it opened In the Fall.

By Lichty A FACT A DAY ABOUT BROOKLYN Brooklyn has more than 1,400 miles of paved streets one-third of the city's (otal. Subway and elevated lines operate along 340 miles of track in the borough and trolley lines aggregate 458 miles of track. There are 85 miles of bus routes established, with more lines projected, Brooklyn is connected with Manhattan by three suspension bridges and five subway tubes. Under the unification plan, the demolition of the Fulton Street has been made possible, and buses are being tubstituted for trolleys. BROOKLYN EAGLE (Trad Mirk Cult RerUtered) -(Founded by Andes In 1MVJ THI BROOKLYN DAILY EAOLI FRANK D.

8CHROTH, Pre.ldent una Publuhar W. p. CROWELL. Secretary and Tnaaurar Eagl. Bulldlnt, Johnaon and Adama Street Brooklyn, New York TELEPHONE MAln 4-8200 Subscription rat by mail Jor th Brooklyn Bail In the United State, on year, 111.00 Bntered at tha Brooklyn Poatofttc at Second Clata Mall Matter "Bascomb is planning the gorden for.