The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-06-01
CONGRESS-.



That feature of the war revenue
measure placing a tax of one quarter
of one per cehtum upon the gross re-
ceipts of corporations was under dis
cussion In the Senate throughout Tues
days session.
Mr.. Platt Comm, n member of the
finance committee, declared that the
corporation tax. he believed. was un-
constitutional. The bill he thought,
would raise n sufficient amount with
out the corporation tax. Mr.. Platt
thought the bond feature fair. 1t was
proper that the burdens of the war
should be distributed over a period of
years.
Mr.. Lindsay (Ky.). said It was i'm
possible for the Government to levy
taxes OF the corporation feature ex-
cept on consumption and on industry.
Mr. Lindsay held the corporation tax
provision an unnecessary and officious
Interference with state taxation by the
Federal Government. He further
maintained that by the proposed issue
OF legal tender notes the Democrats in
favor of such issue were simply plac-
ing more power in the hands of specu-
lators to raid the gold reserve of the
Government
Mr.. Allison Ua.), In charge of the
war revenue bill In the Senate, endeav-
ored Wednesday to secure unanimous
consent that a final vote be taken Sat
urday. Mr.. Daniel tVa.) sounded the
first note of delay by announcing that
III certain provisions were not agreed
to he would offer some amendments to
cause debate.
The opponents of Hawaiian an
nexation in the Senate. II is learned
agreed to the arrangement for daily
sessions of the Senate beginning at IL
o'clock. only after an understanding
with n number of Republican senators
that the Hawaiian question should not
be earnestly pressed In the Senate in
any form at this session. These as
surances. Democratic senators hostile
to annexation say, are sufficiently
numerous to warrant them in believing
an adjournment of Congress will be
taken without action by the Senate on
Hawaii!
In the Senate Thursday Mr.. White
| (Dem.. CALI drew out the fact that an
amendment is to be offered to the war
revenue bill by Mr.. German Dem..
Md placing a tax OF one-half of per
cent upon corporations owning rail-
roads. street railroads. sleeping cars,
steamboats,. express vehicles, telephone
or telegraph lines. gas, electric light or
power, steam heating plants, refining
petroleum or sugar. etc.
Mr.. White said II had been whisper
ed that the great financial interests
which had contributed largely to a
campaign fund were demanding, as
compensation for their liberality that
the burdens of the war should not be
thrust upon them. He did not believe,
however. that any senator on either
side of the chamber would be influ-
enced by demand so sordid and sell
fish.
A notable speech on the war revenue
measure was delivered in the Senate
Hst1 1nxF 1NF NJ T..
OF an argument In support of a tax on
corporations, he denounced as "in-
famous the decision of the Supreme
Court declaring the income tax law Of
1894 as unconstitutional" The warn
ing sounded by some Senators. that II
tax be placed upon corporations II
would be pronounced unconstitutional
by the Supreme Court. has. he said. no
effect upon him. A decision against
such an enactment would not destroy
| our financial structure. but 1t would
| destroy the court which should hand 1t
down.
Mr. German took decided issue with
the majority of his fellow Democrats
upon their proposition to coin the silver
seignierage and to issue legal tender
notes. and made powerful argument
In favor of the issuance OF bonds to
raise funds with which to prosecute
the war.
The Hawaiian annexation question,
which has been the subject of no little
concern about the senate for the past
few days. assumed definite shape in
the senate Friday, when Senators
Lodge and Morgan offered amend
ments to the war revenue bill bearing
directly upon the subject. Senator
Lodges amendment Is In the words of
the Newlands resolution. and provides
in direct terms for the annexation of
the islands. Senator Lodge was seen
Immediately after he had sent his
amendment to the desk. and announc-
ed 1t to be his purpose to press the
amendment to the end. "Henceforth."
said he, 1.-The two measures must
travel together. Both are equally inn
portant, and under the circumstances
II would be foolhardy for us to forego
our advantages in Hawaii"