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The AUgusta News-Review - November#, 1973,
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MOST AMERICANS DO NOT KNOW OFF HAND WHAT IS
THE 16th AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION. IT IS TERSE AND SHORT AND IT
TOUCHES EVERY AMERICAN FROM PAUPER TO
BILLIONAIRE. IT CONSISTS OF A SINGLE SENTENCE.
“THE CONGRESS SHALL HAVE POWER TO LAY AND
COLLECT TAXES ON INCOME, FROM WHATEVER SOURCE
DERIVED WITHOUT APPORTIONMENT AMONG THE
SEVERAL STATES, AND WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY
CENSUS OR ENUMERATION.”
After 60 years, the income tax-law provokes more headaches
and debates than any other part of a federal law. Americans are
still grumbling as to whether this law is a socialistic take-over, or
the most humanistic and just tax ever concieved. The history of
this controversial tax-law is very interesting. In 1913 income
taxes were nothing new; many countries had imposed the same
type of law, from time to time in the past. During the
Revolutionary War, a few of the colonies collected taxes based on
personal incomes. The federal government had also imposed such
a tax for a short duration.
In 1862 an income tax was enacted by the North to finance
the Civil War. It was a withholding type at the source. This tax
plus other wartime levies, were so productive that by 1866, the
federal revenues were more than $350 million dollars. When the
Civil War ended, the government had so much surplus money, it
didn't know what to do with it.
REVENUE-SHARING NOT NEW-After General Lee
surrendered at Appomattox, the Federal Government started to
give money back to the states, but not to use as they saw fit. The
money could only be used on federal projects. Thereafter the
Treasury returned to the old custom of depending only on import
duties and excise taxes on whisky and cigars.
There was a brief interruption of this method in 1894, when
Southern and Western Congressmen begin complaining about the
tariff, that was unfair to their sections. Congress reimposed the
income tax to compensate for their losses in revenues. This tax
began to squeeze Northern and rich Eastern States, but they were
unable to block the tax in Congress. Then Eastern capitalists
carried their greivances to the Supreme Court which ruled that
the tax was unconstitutional.
The High Court held that the founding fathers gave Congress
tl e power to levy indirect taxes such as import duties and excise
L es on goods. There should be no capitation, or other direct,
hall be laid unless in proportion to the census. In layman’s
lan uage, the people of the State of New York should not have to
pay more direct tax to the Federal Government than the people
of South Carolina, except on the ratio of nonulation.
According to all the controversy that had been raging over
personal taxes up to this time; it was becoming obvious that a tax
based on personal income would not produce results
proportionate to state populations. If there were to be an income
tax, the Constitution would have to be amended. Two Presidents,
Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft urged such an
amendment. After a year or so of verbal hassling Congress drafted
an amendment and submitted it to the states in 1909. About four
years later Wyoming became the 37th state to ratify this
far-reaching amendment. This cleared the constitutional road for
the income concept, there was still some work ahead, a big battle
loomed in the halls of Congress.
CORDELL HULL OF TENNESSEE QUARTER-BACKED
fHE NEW TAX LAW-Congressman Cordell Hull,who later in life
became a “Big Wheel in President Roosevelt’s New Deal”, wrote
the new income-tax bill, and led a large faction that favored a flat
rate of 1%. Future Vice-president John Nance Gamer of Texas
violently opposed Congressman Hull’s version and demanded a
graduated rate together with large exemptions. Champ Clark of
,ouri, a close buddy of J. Nance Gamer assured the House
“the wit of man has never derived a fairer or juster tax” than
whose rates are based on the ability to pay.
is noteworthy to observe that these old populists
raders that blue-printed the modern “income tax law”
ecame cog wheels in Roosevelt’s broad social legislature,
social security and a score of others. A great number of
its put up a terrific fight against the law; because they
d that the proposed law with its low rates was the proverbial
nose under the tent, that once a tax on incomes was
!, rates would escalate out of control, how right they were!
n< tor William E. Borah, a strong patriotic American could
< conceive of an exorbiant rate pushed upon the American
>ple, as a good deal of the opponents hinted. The Idaho
iaker was outraged by such loose anxieties, and made this
sent: “it is incredible to think, that the rate might
cm tally climb to 20%. “Who,” he asked, “could impose such
iStic, confiscatory rates? Only Congress, and how could
ess, the representatives of the American people, be so
g in fairness, justice and patriotism."
opposition, however, was so strong that advocates of the
asure resorted to the familiar tactic of hanging on a law with
•üble chances to a piece of “must" legislation-in this instance,
e tariff act. The income tax became law are a rider to the tariff
act on October 3, 1913, but it was retroactive to March 1, 60
years ago. January and February incomes were exempt because
p to that time it was unconstitutional. The rate was a flat 1% up
to $20,000. Incomes above that level were subject to a surtax of
up to ssoo,oooper year. Easterners' fears were justified; they
nad contended along that they would be forced to pay the bulk
of lis new income measure. It turned out that a third of the
□tai collection for the first year was paid by Easterners.
The proponents of this new tax were in a dizzy, they did not
know if they were on safe ground or not. President Woodrow
Wilson was exempted from the tax during his term of office;
because Congress wanted to avoid a constitutional conflict with
the President for the same reason, federal judges, state and local
employees also were exempted, but United States Senators had to
nay. At first this law provided for withholding at the source of
es on income from certain bonds, mortgages and other types
; investments, but not from salaries and w. ges. Eventually all of
this was changed, with taxes withheld from wages but not from
dividends and interest.
There have not been many changes of deductions since 1913.
The deductions were, interest and taxes paid, uninsured casualty
i< sses, unreimbursed business expenses, bad debts and
depreciation of income-producing property. The camel has gotten
his entire body under the tent. From less than 35 million in 1913
to 95 billion in 1972.
ALLEN UNIVERSITY SEEKS LOST ALUMNI
“We Need You”
Name
Address
Year
Please send mail to;
Allen Univ., 1530 Harden SL, Columbia, SC 29204
Page 4
I[gOING yr-1
I PLACES I
■L with Philip Waring ■
URBAN LEAGUE HONORS JAMES LINEN
Next week the National Urban League(NUL) will honor James
A. Linen at its Equal Opportunity Day dinner slated for the New
York Hilton Hotel. Mr. Linen recently retired after five
distinquished years as national. President of the NUL Trustee
Board. As you probably know he is Chairman of the Executive
Committee for Time, Inc. (Time, Life, Fortune & Sports
Illustrated).
This honor is both timely and well deserved because Jim has
been one of the League’s greatest and most effective presidents.
His tenure was during periods of great racial crisis and change for
the nation and the NUL Movement. Great expectations came
about among Blacks as result of the Civil Rights Struggle of the
Sixities. Jim Linen identified with this struggle.
He was president when we went about a change of our agency
focus via the “New Thrust” programs of ghetto involvement,
social action and system change . And he also gave splendid
leadership when we challenged the United Fund to increase
allocations to the 100 local League affiliates who were the only
agencies of this kind giving comprehensive social work and race
relations services tothe disadvantaged clients of the United Funds.
LINEN EMBODIES URBAN LEAGUE INTERRACIAL
TEAMWORK CREDO
Mr. Linen had the awesome job of holding the Urban League
Ship on course in March of 1971 when Whitney Young, Jr. met
his death in Africa. 1 shall always remember how President Linen
called together key representatives of the NUL Movement from
around the nation to meet with him and the Trustee Board in the
Time-Life Building at Rockfeller City just prior to Whitney’s
funeral. (Which was really the only “state” funeral in our 63-year
agency history.)
He then did an excellent job of choosing a Search Committee,
headed by Louis Martin, NUL Vice President and editor of the
Chicago Defender, which eventually selected our own Georgia
Boy, Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. Jim Linen was most generous in
sharing his vast contacts with American big business, industry,
communications and government. As Maynard Jackson pointed
out so well during his 1970 Sixtieth Anniversary address: “The
Urban League Movement has reached a peak among American
betterment agencies.” And Jim Linen must be rightly credited
with much of this accomplishment.
URGED WHITE PEOPLE TO SPEAK OUT
Mr. Linen was forthright on the need for white people to
verbalize their responsibilities on helping to solve the racial and
urban crisis. In his public speeches he often said: “We have met
the enemy and they are us”. To show you the full measure of the
man, let’s look at what happened at the 1969 Washington NUL
Conference; Several thousand persons were in attendance when a
group of anti-white racial remarks were shouted at Jim Linen.
Both he and Whitney retained their “cool”, evaluating the
dynamics of this situation has saved the day for Urban League
Interracial Teamwork. This was an acid test which he passed with
flying colors.
LINEN AIDED LOCAL URBAN LEAGUE
As you know 1 helped organize the League program in the
Stamford, Conn, area in 1969 and headed it for four years until
illness and (high blood pressure) medical advice advised that 1
retire from this executive position last summer. During this four
year period, however, Mr. Linen, though national President of
NUL, was most helpful to our local program operations, visiting
us on several occasions. Last summer, despite his own hospital
illness, he wrote me a most thoughtful and cordial letter on my
illness. This letter also helped me make up my mind on a career
matter with the League in Connecticut.
“HOW’S VERNON JORDAN MAKING OUT?”
Last summer when visiting my hometown, Augusta, Ga.,
several of Vernon’s Omega buddies and former Georgia NAACP
associates such as City Councilman B.T. Dent, Dr. Ike
Washington, Commissioner Ed Mclntyre, his Howard University
Law School classmate, Attorney Jack Ruffin, and others asked
me: “Phil, how is Vernon making out in this new job?” This was
a good question because so many of us old timers have been both
amazed and elated on how this tall young Georgian with his
“young head on old shoulders” has taken our NUL Movement
Ship on such a steady and upward course since his richly deserved
appointment.
NUL internal structure has been strenghened, program services
enriched and expanded, and new affiliates formed. (We hope soon
for Augusta, Clarence Coleman and J. Harvey Kerns!). While the
NUL Movement is naturally a recipient of Federal programs and
grants paid by American taxpayers, all of us are most proud of
Vernon as he has forthrightly lashed out at the Nixon
Administration's inhuman cutbacks on human services and civil
rights projects. (And this criticism from Vernon came many long
months before Watergate).
Just as the late Whitney Young had lots of Kentucky colonels
and “Blue Grass residents” coming to support him at the annual
NUL Conference, I am, as a native Georgian, proud to see so
many Peach Tree state folk coming up from Georgia backing
Vernon. It is good to note that so many of his relatives and close
friends attend these conferences. So the center of “down home”
support has shifted from Kentucky to Georgia.
NUL EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS LEGACY PRAISED
Prior to last year’s NUL Conference 1 made two requests: (1)
That I be allowed to edit a first-of-its kind Journal of the NUL
Executive Directors Council and (2) that our Eastern Executives
sponsor a breakfast honoring 76-year old Dr. Lester B. Granger
retired NUL Executive.
Both projects were successful. Copies of the Journal have been
shared with the Paine College and Wallace Libraries. The most
eventful event of the entire conference, however, was how
Vernon expressed himself to Dr. Granger and the breakfast
audience (which incidentally include Paine College Dr. L. Pitts)
on how delighted he was to follow in the great Urban League
legacy of Executives such as Dr. George E. Holmes, Eugene K.
Jones, Lester Granger, and the late Whitney Young. So in answer
to the question - “Vernon and the NUL Movement are doing
quite well”.
THE AUGUSTA NEWS-REVIEW
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MK| Speaking p
Out J
Roosevelt Green, Jr. j f
What does it mean to be Black in this country today? It means
one must have a lot of physical and psychological strength in
order to survive in a sane manner. It means enduring daily the
ordeal of white institutionalized racism with accompanying
discrimination.
Black is invariable defined in a negative manner. The English
language is strongly racist and sexist to the core. Negative usage
of the word Black includes such languaging as a Black out, Black
comedy, Black ball, and Black sheep. Blacks and whites grow up
using such terms until they learn better.
To be “Black then is to deal with the problem of the “rightness
of whiteness” and yet develop a comfortably sense of Black
identity. The typical white child grows up believing this is a white
world and any color differences are viewed as negative dviations
from whiteness. Whites are always seen holding the keys of power
while Blacks remain powerless.
The typical Black child grows up with definitions of a negative
self-image that may even result in self hatred because he or she is
not white. Skin bleachers and hair straightners used ot be in
vogue for Blacks desiring the powerful and more desirable white
skin and features. Thank God this has changed to the extent most
Blacks are now proud to be “Black” and beautiful.
White institutionalized racism may be defined in terms of the
socialization of whites into the “rightness of whiteness” by a
process which begins almost at birth. We find basic institutions in
this and all human societies are the family, economics, education,
political, and religion. To say that something is
“institutionalized” is to say that it is a frozen part of the social
system or structure. All fine institutions in this country are
permeated with the notion of white superiority and Black j
inferiority. White racism occurs on both a conscious and
unconscious basis with most whites.
A critical but brief review of all fine institutions in this country
gives ample examples of white racism. Most of our literature and
communications media cite the ideal family as being middle class
and white. On does not have to guess that this practice is
damaging to Black and other ethnic family groups.
The economic institutions in this country is basically run and
influenced by five hundred white families. Sixty of those families
control and own the bulk of wealth in this paradise of “free
irfterprise for the poor and socialism for the rich”. Black
capitalism is a myth unless it is just like white capitalism meaning
ownership of large corporations. There are probably more white
millionaires in Thomasville, Georgia than there are in America -
Further, this means that Blacks and the majority of whites are
ecnomically powerless. In summary, this institution is controlled
and owned by a powerful white ruling class in this country.
The educational institution is also owned and controlled by
whites with Blacks having little if any decision making power.
Textbooks are written largely by and for whites while overtly and
covertly illustrating the rightness of whiteness. For example,
there is still very little attention being given to “true” Black
history rather than the “safe history” with hero worship of safe
Blacks and uncle Toms. There is an increasing degree of school
desegregation with practically no school “integration”. This is
true if one defines integration as being the coming together of
co-equals.
The political institution is also owned and controlled by the
rich and super-rich. The major political positions are largely
dominated by whites who are either insensitive to or have little if ,
any regard for Blacks. It must be remembered that any mayor
whether he is Black or white must dance to the music of the
white power structure if he or she is to govern successfully.
There are no “Black” governors and only one Negro United
States or Plantations Senator. The effect of seeing only whites
holding key political positions is damaging to the growing Black
or white child. They only truly “Black” politican this country has
known in modern times is the late Adam Clayton Powell. There is
virtually no Black politican today who can afford to dance only
to Black music.
Religion as an institution is also defined in white terms in this
country. However, the only institution that Blacks truly control
is the Black church. God is invariably or nearly always defined as
being white. Christianity is viewed by white Americans as being
organized and controlled by themselves with Blacks being
regarded as heathens.
The fact that there are so-called Black and white churches
indicates the failure of the Christian church to rise above color
and culture. It has been said that white Christians are captive of
their color while Black Christians are captive of their culture.
Christianity was taught to Blacks as a means of social control.
However, Blacks used it to deal with continuing slavery and
oppression.
I hope I have said enough about institutional racism to
demonstrate what it means to be Black in this country.
Institutionalized racism is effective not only by intent but by
blindly accepting the rightness of whiteness in a superior manner
resulting in discrimination.
Blacks and whites have to be sensitized to racism and its
implications. The white child in an all white school is “culturally
deprived” and disadvantaged” in a multi-ethnic society. America
is an undeveloped country in terms of the devastating impact of
racism
To be Black is to develop an economy of anger and frustration
coupled with a deep sense of powerlessness.
To be Black is to be committed to the liberation of the Third
World by any means necessary.
To be Black means that one becomes aware of how white
bigots hide behind the American flag professing patriotism behind
an America for whites only belief.
To be Black means that one is no long a “Negro” but a Black
person spelled with a capital “B”. It does not matter what whites
call us but what we call ourselves. Just because a cat has kittens in
an oven one does not call them biscuits. America is the oven that
could not destroy the asbestos soul of the Black man and woman.
To be Black means that one must study this white society as
Dick Gregory suggests so that one will not be declined by white
tricks and games.
To be Black means that one must accept all other Balcks
regardless of economic status.
To be Black means that one has love for self and to refuse to
be defined by whites.
To be Black means that one develops the courage to speak out
even though whites and some Blacks will view your refusal to be a
safe Negro as hatred for whites. Hate is not a characteristic of a
true Black person.
To be Black means that one engages in Black self help political
and economic programs. It means not depending on whites to do
for us what we can do for ourselves.
To be a Black human means that one is free to interact with
white humans who can accept you as a co-equal. There are some
whites who can operate on this basis but they are few and far
between.
I am sure my Black readers can also define for themselves what
it means to be Black. I am equally sure that most whites would
prefer to deal with “safe” Negroes rather than with Blacks who
define themselves.
White racism is a sickness into death for whites as well as
Blacks. Ours is truly a multi-racial or multi-ethnic society wherein
no ethnic group is superior. There is something dreadfully wrong
and evil about any white person who only has his or her skin
TO BE
EQUAL /fMfJ
BY VERNON E. JORDAN, JR. £/ L
V *' W ** ¥ *THE brink
When Secretary of State Henry Kissinger called a news ,
conference to explain why the armed forces had been placed on
alert, he wound up having to insist that the country was faced
with a real international crisis, and that it wasn’t just a White
House ploy to take the heat off its political difficulties. ,
Now that is an extraordinary situation! I can’t ever remember a
time that so many people simply assumed their leaders were
playing a dangerous international game because of political
reasons at home. It’s the kind of thing we expect in corrupt little
dictatorships, not in a stable democracy.
Yet, as Dr. Kissinger stated, such questions are symbolic of the
deep mistrust and suspicion that envelop the public’s view of
governmental leaders and institutions. No nation can long survive
such doubt. Whether the answer lies in impeachment, as some
suggest; in Congressional activism, or in an Administration
house-cleaning to restore confidence, it is clear that this terrible
situation has to be resolved -- and soon.
The creeping paralysis at the heart of government came after a
long, unrelieved succession of scandals, cover-ups, resignations,
and illegal and unconstitutional acts High officials are under
criminal indictment and the Vice President was forced out of
office and convicted of a felon.
Then, just as some confidence was being restored in the
integrity of the investigative process, along came the tapes
controversy , with the possibility that the President would be held
in contempt of court; the firing of the special prosecutor and the
deputy Attorney-General, and the principled resignation of Elliot
Richardson, the Attorney General.
At that, the dam burst. The public demanded impeachment.
Lawyer’s associations, deans of prominent law schools, the
AFL-CIO, the UAW and members of Congress joined the call.
Surrender of the tapes hasn’t muted the situation; Congress is ,
investigating i whether it should impeach a President. <
The results is that the government stands impotent, its ability
to govern in question. And there is a lack of confidence in
governmental institutions and in the political process that is
frightening to behold.
Let no one suppose that Black people are transported with joy
by the crisis that have enveloped an Administration universally
considered opposed to our interests. Rather, our cause is made
even more difficult by the crisis gripping the government.
The reforms we seek and the goals we are fighting for depend
in large part upon governmental stability, public faith in the
governing process, and in the integrity of the courts and the
governing institutions. Weaken these, and you weaken the
prospects for change.
That the integrity of the government has been weakened was
apparent to Black citizens long before the current crisis, and even
before Watergate. It became obvious in the not-so-distant days ot
“benign neglect” and the attempt to use the legitimate aspirations
of Black people for equality as a wedge to split the country and
frighten white people into rolling back the gains made in recent
years.
The ultimate fate of the proposals for impeachment depend on
public opinion and on the Congress. Meanwhile, we are
threatened with governmental paralysis and a period ot lurching
from one eonstitutional crisis to the next.
However it is resolved, it should be recognized that this nation
cannot long endure if men are placed above laws, if group is
pitted against group, and if the ruling concerns are of grasping
power instead of building trust and fostering progressive reforms
in our system.
LETTERS TO EDITOR
QUESTIONS LAW CHIEF
Dear Editor:
It seems as if there was ever
a need for an environmental
protection agency in
Richmond County the time is
most presently urgently needed
now.
The smog has become so
prevalent that unless the
inhabitants of this county take
drastic action, we will find
ourselves reduced to pawns,
surrounded by Kings, Queens
and Bishops.
The recent and present
discussions on a joint law
enforcement center and duel
between the chief and sheriff
are all smog-choking the
reasoning of the people of
Richmond County.
The real issue is not the
chief law official. Rather, it’s
one of equity.
The politicians of this
community were such poor
salesmen during the campaign
to sell consolidation two years
ago, they find it
consolidation-suicide to bring
forth the real issues today. So,
they put smog in your eyes.
Top law enforcement official
Huh!
A few days ago I viewed a
TV commentary about a
“policeman”. It was stated that
we should be appreciative of
the police officer because he is
one and all things in case of
emergency. He’s a doctor, a
psychiatrist, a sociologist, a
minister, a father, a mother,
and etc,
What a Shame! How Cruel!
How can we as rational
thinking people expect so
much of a person who is so
inadequately trained and paid.
Instead of polluting the air
color to gain status and fictional superiority.
I hope this discussion or persentation will serve to encourage
reflection and introspection by both Blacks and whites. I have
just barely scratched the surface in viewing what it means to be
Black in this country. It is fortunate that there are whites who
can accept true “Blackness” and support it with commitment and 4
understanding.
It is necessary to close by saying that no foot shuffling, head
scratching, knee knocking, rolling eyes, teeth showing, smiling
Negro deserves the honor of being called “Black”. The
psychological chains like the physical ones must be broken if true
liberation is to be achieved.
HARAMBEE!!
with who is going to be the top
law enforcement official, I
think we should concentrate
our attention on the quality of
all the personnel in the two
departments.
I would feel more secure to
know that our two
departments are staffed with
sociologists, to handle social
problems; psychiatrists and
psychologists, to handle mental
problems; ministers, to handle
moral problems and etc. Thus,
letting the policeman become a
specialist - protection and
apprehension.
And we don’t need
consolidation to achieve that
end.
Let us not be fooled into
believing that law enforcement
is the only issue. It’s just smog.
The real issue is EQUITY.
The real question, “Can Big
Government Assure Equity?”
The real answer, “NO!”
Grady Abrams
1216 10th Street
APPRECIATES
COVERAGE
Dear Editor:
Our sincere thanks for all
the assistance you gave Zeta Xi
Omega Chapter of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority in
making FASHIONETTA 73 a
success. It could be that your
coverage of our event gave it
that extra push that meant
success. In any case, it would
be difficult to overrate the
support you gave us.
Please be sure that we
deeply appreciate it, and hope
that someday we will have the
chance to be of service to you.
Sincerely,
Hettie F. Copeland
Vice-President
Betty Marshall
Corresponding Secretary