From the Olean Times Herald:
Urges War Protest By Tax Resistance
Protesting the un-declared Vietnam War “where it can be felt” was recommended by Miss Amy Pitt, a graduate student from the University of Buffalo. She was addressing a meeting of the Clergy and Laymen Concerned About Vietnam (CALCAV), held at the Olean Coffee House.
She spoke first of the inflationary aspects of the current war, noting that, because the war had been undeclared, the costs were paid through such taxes as the surtax and excise tax. She noted further that this method was used because it was believed to be “politically inadvisable” to stress money problems when 64.8 per cent of the Federal Budget of $154.9 billion was for wars, past and present. An estimated 15–20 per cent of the 48.4 per cent of the money for current military expenditures will be used for Vietnam.
Miss Pitt noted that, due to the increased military budget, the “human resources” programs had been cut back appreciably, or canceled completely.
As a protest to this federal priority program, Miss Pitt suggested tax resistance as one method that would help to educate the people as to the usage of top money, and that it was a useful way to get the people together in concerted effort.
She also recommended the use of the courts, when necessary, to call attention to the problems existing.
Observing that the excise tax on telephone service was increased to 10 per cent in , she quoted Rep. Wilbur Mills, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, who stated, “Vietnam and only the Vietnam operation makes this bill necessary.”
She called for persons to refuse the pay the tax on the telephone bills. She explained that this must be accompanied by a letter stating the reason and that it did not affect the person’s telephone service. The company, she explained, merely refers the tax nonpayment to the Internal Revenue Service. This, she said, lets the government know that one is not willingly aiding in paying for the “unjust and undeclared” war.
She also explained the ways in which a person could protest through the non-payment of their income taxes. Again, by filing the proper return, but enclosing a letter of protest. The monies are held in escrow.
Both of these procedures might carry monetary or prison penalties, she observed, but felt that mass drastic action was necessary for results.
The Rev. Richard Elliott, chairman of the CALCAV steering committee, was in charge of the meeting.
Locally, members of CALCAV, in connection with the Students and Teachers Organized for Peace (STOP) of St. Bonaventure University, plan to circulate petitions throughout the area for support of the (Sen. Charles E.) Goodell resolution (S. 3000) calling for the troops to be removed from Vietnam by and the military non-involvement in Cambodia and Laos.
Also, a draft counseling center is being established in Olean, with sessions at the Coffee House.
