by 1930, however, that events of the world were too much for the Kingdom to bear, as the Wall Street Crash and economic meltdown that came with it finally reached Siam. The King proposed the levying of general income taxes and property taxes to help elevate the sufferings of the poor. However, these were roundly rejected by the Council, who feared their own fortunes would be reduced. Instead, they cut civil service pay rolls and reduced the military budget, angering most of the country's educated elite. The officer corps was especially discontent, and in 1931 Phra Ong Chao (lower class of Prince) Boworadet, a minor member of the Royal Family and Minister of Defence, resigned. Prince Boworadet was not a member of the Supreme Council, and it was suspected that disagreement with the council over budget cuts and jealously led to his resignation. the King, who openly confessed his own lack of financial Knowledge, stating he was just a simple soldier, tried with little success to battle the senior Princes over this issue.