The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-16
Public Men Deeply Interested in
Inheritance Proposition Of
President Roosevelt.
SOME OPPOSE TT, BUT
DAJORITY APPROVES
Prominent Minneapolitans Discuss
, Important Question That May
l.. Be Presidential Cry.
MgH ~ /
BY w. w. Jermane.

Washington, April 16.-Members of
both houses of congress are busy today
talking about the president s inheri-
lance tax proposition outlined in his
"muck-rake'- speech Saturday after
noon. Some of them like it, some Of
them do not, while others pretend to
be indifferent. Nearly all, however, re-
timely and as likely to strike a popular
chord in all parts of the country: Many
think they see a new political issue
looming up in the distance.
So far as can be learned, the presi-
dent took no one into his confidence
when he decided to make public dec
laration on the inheritance proposition.
It is recognized now that he has given
utterance to what has been in the minds
of millions of people and his express
sion, it is believed, will find euthu-
giastic response from one end Of the
country to the other.
Majority Favors It.
The constitutionality Of such tax
is questioned by some, but the TACT that
al inheritance tax. was levied during
the Spanish war and that
such taxes are collected in many Of the
states is generally regarded as suHi-
eient answer to the question of con-
stitutionality.
The advisability Of such a tax is
questioned by few, altho there are some
senators and representatives who de-
clare that the president has opened up
a dangerous subject, which leads di-
rectly to socialism. This view probably
is not entertained, however, by the
majority of men in the house and
senate.
Will Go to Next Congress.
While there is no likelihood of the
president s position inspiring any. ac-
ton at this session of congress, it is
freely predicted that he will bring it to
the attention of congress at its next
session in his annual message:
This prediction is not made. authori-
tatively. but the president is known
to have very firm convictions on this
subject and the favorable responses
that already have been. heard Indicate
that he will not abandon the sugges-
tion but will put it up to congress in
the form Of a recommendation to in
quire into the practicability of such q
tax and the method of levying it that
will prevent the Requesting of colossal
fortunes to any individual. . -
The president made similar recon-
mendation in his last message on the
Insurance question. Committees of the
house and senate took, the matter up
and the conclusion has been reached
that insurance, not being interstate
commerce, cannot be subject to fed
eral regulation.
Some Fear Confusion.
There is a division of opinion as tc
whether the president has struck the
psychological moment for the promul
fumes. Some of the republican leaders
privately criticise his utterances as like
Ty to confuse matters, and to multiply
issues They claim that he already ha
undertaken the prosecution of a mum
Der of policies and that a new ISSUE
might add too heavy a burden.
They point to his railway rate regu
1ation policy, the Philippine tariff, tn
Santo-D DOMINICAN treaty and the state
hood.
On the other hand, there are leader
who believe that the president is sim
plyoblazing the way that must be fol
lowed to meet the thoughts and wishe
of the people. They maintain that h
has not added the taxing of fortune
to any legislative program, but hi
simply demonstrated that he is in tn
fore front of the right thinking men o
the day and has expressed that VINE
has been in the minds of the majorlt
of the people Of the country for years
May Be National Issue.
By taking this advanced stand, Pres1
dent Roosevelt is regarded by mum
ber of republican leaders as havin
marked the way for the republican pal
tv, While the issue may not ente
very largely into this years congress
sional campaign, it may De or pr1m
Importance .Sto the presidential comics
two years hence. --.,
# is not a secret that such an issu
would be far more acceptable to sue
democrats as Bryan than to the men a
ready in evidence as the conservatlv
republican candidates for the preslde1
tial nomination.
It is said that to tax fortunes give
In life' might prove so dlttlcult as I
compel in practice the substitution 1t Q
an income tax; Bu1 h tax + Is ;n1 noin,
ed out, is revolutionary or alarmln&
Both, it is claimed, might be highly. d
sirable measures of taxation, especlai
if coupled with a tightening Of the bu1
dens of the tariff upon consumers. Bot
are now collected in most of the pro
gressive European governments, an
both have been collected in this cou1
try The income tax levied during GU
civil war was temporary measure. Re
enacted later, it was declared unconst
tutional by the supreme court, but goo
lawyers hold that it could possibly b
put in operation by law Different
framed.
Amendment Would Do It.
It could be reached by constitutions
amendment. The latest income return
of England show that the tax is no1
levied there on 1928 persons who's
income exceeds $500 a year. Ne7
Workers call attention to the fact tina
collateral inheritance tax is levied j
that safe. Under the federal Inherit
ance tax collected during the SPANS
war, considerable sums were realized
notably from the estate Of the late Co,
nelius Vanderbilt.
The English estate devised to jaime
Henry Smith of New York, paid S
heavy an inheritance tax to the crow
that it figured conspicuously in thu
years budget. Neither in law nor
Continued on I'd Page, 9th Column.