Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-27
DEMOCRATS STILL TAKING on
WAR REVENUE BILL.
WHITE AND TELLER YESTERDAY
MR.. GORMAN HAS A SCHEME F0R
TAXING CORPORATIONS.
1t II Proposed to Tax Certain Classes
of Big Companies Half of L Per )
Cent of Their Gross Re-
ceipts - Walthal Eu.
l0gies Delivered. (,


l0gies Delivered.
WASHINGTON. May 26.-No substantial
progress was made by the senate to-day
toward the disposition Of the war revenue
measure. although it was under consid-
Grafton for three hours. Speeches were de-
livered on the bill by Mr.. White, Demo-
crat. Of California, and Mr.. Teller, Of Col
orado. The former opposed the issue Of
bonds and strongly advocated the coinage
Of the silver seigniorage and the tax upon
corporations. In his discussion of the last
feature. Mr.. White drew out the fact that
an amendment was to be offered to the bill
by Mr.. German, of Maryland. placing
tax of one-half of l per cent on certain
large corporations. Mr.. Teller dwelt large
ly upon the proposition to levy an income
tax He had not concluded his argument
when the bill was laid aside in order that
eulogies might be pronounced upon the
late Senator Waithall, of Mississippi.
Only eight senators were present when
the vice presidents gavel fell at II o'clock
this morning, and after fifteen minutes
delay in securing a quorum the war rev.
enue measure was laid before the senate.
extended speech, covering pretty fully the
general features of the bill. especially those
relating to the tax on corporations and
on inheritances. The consideration of the
bill, he said. had enlisted the attention of
the country and many people were becom-
in6 restless because final vote had not
been reached. He thought, however, that
the delay was due to the popularity of
the pending measure The revenue bill
upon which the civil war was conducted
was complicated instrument, utterly in
applicable to present conditions. The OBJ
1ect OF the bill challenged the attention
ana support of every member of both
branches of congress. All are united to
present solid front to the foreign foe.
1t was no longer a question of doubt that
all the money necessary for the prosecu-
tion OF the war would be supplied It was
simply the method of raising the funds
that was under debate here.
dreat as this nation is" said he,
mlghty as are her resources, this country
Is not now prepared to place before an OPP
ponent its full strength and all the ma
teriai Of war residing in its bosom. But in
time land not very long time. either) 1t
Will be ready to put forth its entire
strength. and then this conflict will be de-
cided speedily"
desirable that the taxation imposed by the
bill should be spread over the country fair
ly and equitably. The burdens placed upon
the country by the war ought to be borne
by all alike
Mr. White regarded it as unfortunate
that SO heavy a tax should have been
placed upon tobacco because by some 1t
was considered luxury. He maintained
that the placing by the house of represent
atives Of one-third Of the tax to be raised
upon beer. one-third upon tobacco and one
third on stamps was severe, IL not almost
unjustifiable. Beer and tobacco, 1t was ar
gued, said he, were luxuries. The people
do not have TO use them unless they choose
to do SO. He admitted and contended that
tobacco and beer were legitimate articles
OF taxation, but there could be no doubt
that the burden Of the tax would fall Upon
the poor men Of the country.
Mr.. White denounced the stamp tax as a
burden an onerous burden, from which all
would be glad to escape. 1t was nuisance
and par excellence tax upon the plain
people of the land.
Concerning the Inheritance tax, Mr..
White maintained that. notwithstanding
the objections urged against 1t by reason
OF its being an invasion Of the prerogatives
Of the state. 1t was perfectly Justiflable and
he expressed the hope and belief that the
courts would sustain the action Of congress
in enacting the proposition into national
law.
Mr.. White then entered upon long dis.
cussion Of the proposed corporation tax,
which he earnestly supported. He MAIN
tanned that the corporations owed some
thing to the country. not only for their
creation, but also for the privilege Of ex-
istence. He maintained that the argument
Of senators that tax should not be laid
against a corporation because it was not
laid against q partnership engaged in the
same line Of business was not sound, as the
corporation enjoyed more privileges than
the partnership in business and before the
law II It were not so. corporations would
not be formed.
He regretted that there was manifest
disposition among Republican senators to
oppose the plan Of any tax upon any cor
porations. They were all, seemingly. at
least. alike opposed, he said, to insisting
that the Standard Oil Company and the
sugar trust and other great monopolies
should be compelled to pay their share Of
the burdens of the present war.
Mr.. White said that Mr.. German, Of
Maryland, had prepared an amendment to
the measure which he would be willing to
support IL the. general tax upon all cor
porations should not be deemed desirable
by the senate. At his request Mr. German
sent to the desk and had read the amend
ment he proposed to offer at the proper
time. 1t follows:
"That from and after the passing of this
act, every person. firm. company or cor
poration owning or possessing. or having
the care or management of any railroad,
street railroad, sleeping car, steamboat,
ship or other vessel, engaged or employed
in the business Of transporting passengers
or freight for hire. or In transporting the
mails of the United States. or carrying on
or doing an express business or having the
care or management of any telegraphic or
telephone line by which telegraphic or
telephone dispatches or messages are re-
ceived or transmitted, or carrying on or do
ing the business of furnishing gas, elec-
trio light. electric power, steam heat or
steam power. or refining petroleum, or
refining sugar, or owning or controlling any
pipe line for transporting oil or other prod
ucts. whose gross annual receipts exceed
$4,000. shall be subject to pay annually a
special excise tax equivalent to Y Of per
cent on the gross amount OF all receipts
Of such persons. firms, corporations and
companies in their respective business; pro.
viGed. that the assessment hereby made
shall not include any amount Of the re-
ceipts for the transportation Of persons.
freight or muils .etween the. United States