Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-13
Treasury officials Think Justice
jackson So Voted.
Two OPINIONS MAY Be FILED
Definitely Known That Decision
Has Been Reached.
VIEWS OF MR.. VOORHEES,

Justice Jackson called at the White
House today and paid his respects to the
President. He expects to leave for Tennes-
see tonight or tomorrow in the expectation
of returning here in time for the October
term of the court, and his house is being
put in repair in anticipation of his taking
up his permanent residence here at that
time.
The officials of the government interested
in revenues are much more hopeful Of a
favorable decision, and while formerly ex-
pressing the belief that the law would be
upset, now say that they belive the facts
in reference to Saturdays conference of
the Supreme Court, as stated in The Star,
make them confident that Justice Jackson
has voted in favor of the constitutionality
of the law, as least as respects the points
on which the court was divided.
The Income Tax Returns.
The income tax returns already received
at the Treasury Department are being
classified and recorded. Although the ofii-
Gals are extremely reticent on the subject,
it is believed that the rent exemptions will
amount to so per cent Of the whole. The
whole number of returns made under the
law are approximately 10000, and the es-
innate is made that these represent not
more than 10 per cent of the number of
persons legally liable under the law. If the
recent decision of the court Is sustained
next Monday, as is regarded as probable,
the oelinquents will certainly be proceeded
against as rapidly as possible, anu it Is
thought that the so per cent penalty i'm
posed by the law will not be RENTED in
any case. 1t is asserted that the persons
who have failed to make returns have
done SO with clear understanding of the
law, and in many cases have refused to
comply with 1t, on legal advice, preferring
to take their chances of being compelled to
pay the penalty.
A Conclusion Reached.
1t was learned definitely this afternoon
that a conclusion was reached at Satur-
days consultation of the Supreme Court
aid that it is confidently expected to have
the opinion in the case ready for announce
ment next Monday. No authoritative state
nent as to which way the decision will be
can be Sc :ured, of course, but all that can
be learned goes to corroborate the report
Of Saturday that the indications favored
the upholdfng Of the law on the points that
remain.
Two Opinions.
A member Of the court is responsible for
the statement that there will probably be
two opinions. and while he did not go to
the extent of Indicating on which side the
majority opinion would be, he said a mem
ber of the majority would write the opinion
on that side, which would be the opinion of
the court, while some member of the mi
nority would express the opinion on the
other side, and there would probably be no
Independent, individual opinion, as before
The present intention is to make the opin-
ions comparatively brief. They will cover
only the question left undecided in the first
decision. as to whether the void provisions
cover the whole act, whether the act, as
1t effects incomes from personal property,
as such, are unconstitutional, because it
provides for direct taxation of them, and
whether the tax is invalid on account of
want of uniformity.
These points were dwelt upon at length
in former opinions. on the one side by the
opinion of Justice White, and on the other
by that of Justice Field Hence, there will
be no necessity for elaborate treatises. The
understanding now is that Justice Harlan
will prepare the majority opinion sustain
ing the law.
The court at the same time will render
opinions in a large number of other cases,
which have been argued. Adjournment for
the summer will not be reached however
until the following Monday. the 9th in
Stant.
Senator Voorhees, View.
Senator VOORHEES, expressed the opinion
today that the law as it stands without
taxing rents and public bonds, would.
when it is in complete operation, bring in
a revenue of $20OOO,0O0.