Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-22

others, are assessed for every picnic, fair
and other gatherings, and certainly that is
enough tax for them to pay. The decision
Is especially good for the reason that the
men who ought to pay the income tax
cent"
Chns. r.. EdmOnstOn.
Mr.. Chas. R. Edmonston of Wilmarth &
Edmonston was very strong in his express
sions of approval Of the action Of the Su-
preme Court. Said he: 1.-The law as it stood
on the books was so manifestly unjust that
cannot see how any one could approve it.
Now, for instance l have two friends
whose experiences show the iniquitieS OF
the law. One is woman who owns prop
erty to the value OF 100000, yet under the
terms of the law, she would not have had to
pay single cent in taxes. The other is
business man who works hard every day In
the year, and has an income, suppose, In
the neighborhood of 10000, as a result of
the material wealth of the community, and
yet he comes under the provisions of that
law. Does 1t seem quite just and equita-
ble?'
w. r. Van Wicklc.
Mr.. W. P. Van Wickle said to Star re-
porter: 1.-The law never could have been q
success, and was glad to see 1t wiped out.
In time of war an income tax Is not so OBJ
jectionable, but in peace and in a country
like this it cannot be else than Objectionable
Times are getting better and the revenues
will take care Of themselves all right. At
any rate there are more satisfactory ways
OF raising money than by an income tax.
l would rather go back to the old stamps
for checks and other commercial papers,
but do think that an added tax on whisky,
beer and wine would raise all the money
wanted without any one feeling imposed
upon"
MIR. Bernard kopf.
ut would seem to me that there can be
only one opinion on the merits of the in
come tax. That sort of tax Is all right
If it could be made uniform and just. but
of law, and am glad the Supreme Court
did as it did"
j. Warren Bird.
Mr.. J. Warren Bird, a prominent lawyer
of New York, said: Il am sorry 1 could not
handed down, but in my opinion it was
most just and proper ruling. The income
tax could never have been made to apply
with justice and equality to all people, and
drawn up as the law was, it was bad and
unjust on the face of it,
A. A. Lipscomb.
Mr.. Andrew A. Lipscomb said: In 1880
the United States Supreme Court unani-
mously decided that an income tax was
constitutional, and not direct tax. That
decision was made at time when there
was perfect freedom from public clamor.
Now, the court reverses Itself, but how 1t
arrived at its last decision will. I think.
puzzle future generations as well as this
one. believe in the income tax and great
ly admire Justice Harlan's opinion, full of
prophetic words. l have not the slightest
doubt but that the next democratic ma
tlonal convention will insert In the plat
form an amendment to the Constitution to
collect from colossal fortunes their share
of the burden of taxation, which the re-
cent decision of the Supreme Court de-
claIes shall be borne by those least able
to bear it."
james Coleman.
Mr.. James Coleman, another member of
the District bar. said: 1.-The opinion of the
Supreme Court Is. think, the right one.
The construction put by the court upon
the law is right otherwise the court would
not have decided as they did. Lawyers al
ways take the law from the court and
stand by its decisions. In my opinion the
law, as matter of public policy, was
wrcr g. In q republic like ours no one class
Of people should dictate laws to control the
interests of others. The result Of such
legislation would in the end lead to revo-
luton, and We would before long see the
red specter.
John b. Larner.
II was" explained Mr.. John B. Larner.
"in favor of the law. l believed 1t was con-
stitutional. But, after the first decision by
the Supreme Court I believed all Of the
provisions of the law should have been de-
clared invalid and the law wiped off The
statute books. 1 think the effect OF the
decision will be to seriously cripple the tax
ing powers of the government, and 1t will, 1
think, be absolutely necessary, If the de-
ClSion is to stand, to amend the ConStitu-
ton
Charles Baum.
THE repeal of the income tax I regard as
just" said Mr.. Charles Baum. 'Of course.
you will find differences of opinion in diff
ferent sections Of the country. but the con-
sensus of opinion is, believe, against di-
rect taxes. The merchants generally, are
glad to see the law repealed. and they are
the best judges. Taxes should be levied
equitably, and every American citizen
should feel proud to have opportunity
to contribute to the support OF the govern
ment. If this tax had been necessary and
imposed upon all alike, L mean proportion
ateiy, it might have been enforced. AS it
was interpreted it was un-Amerlcan and l
be felt upon business and trade will in
crease and times improve
NJ. A. Tappan.
NJ. A. Talpan said: II am glad the SUI
preme Court has declared the income tax
The merchants of Wash
ington are especially pleased. 1 take it.
We have to pay heavy enough taxes now.
You know beside being taxed for our realty
We have to pay a tax on our stock In
hand in the shape of a personal tax. It's
all we'll enough to say that what we pay
in taxes goes to make up the other half
the general government pays for the sup
port of the local government, but l VEN
ture to say IL the matter were sifted 1t
" ould be found that we are paying about
IS per cent Of the whole tax"
IsadOr Snks.
Isador Saks of Saks & Co.: II guess we
all think alike. My impression Is after
the first decision. which you remember ex-
empted rents, &C.. from the provisions of
the tax. the last decision will have good
effect Many people. save the rich, when
the first decision was announced. believed
1t a great hardship. I think all are salts
fed now. The effect will be to restore con-
fldence and make business generally bet
ter"