Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-17
T HE CO ME TAX
What Representative Tarsney Has to Say
of This Measure.

Representative John c. Tarsney Of Mis-
souri, is one of the democratic members of
the ways and means committee of the
House. Mr.. Tarsney is an enthusiastic ad-
vocate of the proposition to tax incomes.
Conversely he opposed the suggestion of re-
porting the income tax a measure separ-
ate and distinct from the tariff bill
Mr.. Tarsney stated this morning that an
effort would probably be made before the
tariff bill is disposed of to add the income
tax as an amendment
do you think" Mr.. Tarsney was asked.
that the House will adopt that notion"
Il think said Mr.. Tarsney, speaking
with unusual elaboration. that large ma
jority OF the House is favorable TO an in
come tax. If the test were made by a
square vote. uninfuenced by other consider
ations. the proposition would carry handily.'
What was the purpose of reporting the
bill separately"
II could not with propriety discuss the
purposes of the committee or the motives
or views of its members. Personally, was
in favor of reporting IL and Offering il as an
amendment to the tariff bill, in order that
We might present to the Senate a complete
revenue measure: one that will not only
the people, are commanded to do,
but also to provide the revenues to keep the
machinery Of the government running
am not willing that should send a meas
ure to the Senate properly revising the
customs schedules and emitting to provide
the required revenues for the support OF
the government rendered necessary by such
revision.
''One of the objections to the income tax
is that IL is alleged to come under the head
OF class legislation. What have you to say
! to that argument?"
Il don't think" said Mr. Tarsney lit H.
open TO that objection. On the contrary,
believe 1t TO be the most equitable system
yet devised for raising revenue. l have
not based my support OF it upon the theory
that IL win simply relieve the Door and
place the burden upon the rich. IL does no,
embrace any such element of communism
whatever. 1t is designed simply to adjust
the burdens of supporting the government
SO as to place upon the wealth of the
country its just share of that burden Gov
eminent, continued Mr.. Tarsney lis in
sttuted to protect the life, liberty and
property of its citizens. Each citizen
should contribute to the support of the
government in proportion to the protection
ne receives and in proportion to the cost
his protection entails upon the government
while IT might be said. although not with
accuracy, that each citizen receives an
equal degree of protection from govern
ment relating to life and liberty. and
should therefore contribute equally to the
support OF government.
This is certainly not true with relation
TO property or the cost or benefits of gov
ernmental protection when applied thereto.
The benefits of government which each
citizen derives by the protection of his
property are accurately measured by the
proportion of his undivided wealth to the
aggregate wealth of the country. and his
contributions to the support of government
should be measured by the dement's he re-
ceires and the cost which his protection
peceSSitateS
We further favor an income tax because
1t Will provide a part of our system for OBJ
tanning revenues which enables US at any
time to adjust our fiscal affairs to meet The
changed condition of business which affect
directly the revenues of the government
and to provide for deficiencies or any injur-
| ious surplus of revenues, without disturb
/ ing the industries of the country as We
necessarily do when we change our GUS
| tens laws. If. in times of depression like
the present, the revenues are not adequate
| 10 our support, and we desire to provide
| for any impending deficiency, We need only
! to make n slight Increase in the rate of the
! income tax. If. on the other hand. the
commerce of the world is prosperous. and
! our revenue is larger than we desire. we
make corresponding decrease in the in
come tax. And so. we meet the changed
conditions of business affecting the re-
! quirements OF the government, in either
case without disturbing the industrial or
commercial affairs of the country. For this
. reason, principally. 1 advocate an income
tax. | am not so particular however re-
Sarding the rate TO be liked, or the scope
/ and extent to which il may be applied
simply believe il have il extensive
enough to use as a lever of equilibrium be-
/ tween our revenues and the wants of the
government, in the manner which 1 have
! indicated, We will have no more such in
4 dustrial disturbances as every threatened
change in the tariff rates have produced"