The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-07-01
IN WASHINGTON
Origin OF Tariff Bill = Corporation
Tax-Chinese Loan.
Washington, ID. c.
June 20, 1909.

S~nS VIM icoiucu III ScnOOl tnaI
bills of revenue, according to the
Constitution, shall originate in the
House Of Representatives, would be
rather surprised at the origin of
the present bill for the taxation of
corporations two per cent of all their
net earnings. This bill originated in
the White House. 1t has been care
fully drafted there under the eye
of the President of the United States,
who is not given any legislative pow
er whatsoever by the Constitution.
The President called in his Attorney
General, Mr.. Wickersnam, his good
friend Elihu Root, and various other
gentlemen who are doubtless very
patriotic but whom the trainers Of
the Constitution would never have
thought OF In connection with the ORR
gination of a bill of taxation, and 10
and behold these persons not only
suggested but actually wrote out with
care and detail this bill which is the
most radical anG unusual of all tax
bills.
The Administration openly admits
what was at first only alleged by its
enemies. that this corporation tax
bill is frankly intended to furnish
handle through which the central
government can take hold of trusts
and great business combinations. Thus
the whole question of whether or
not American business men can feel
independent of the Government, or
whether they must always calculate
that certain monopolistic wrongs can
not be done by them without punish
ment-this whole question opened up
for present discussion by the Senate
and Congress.
Not that they will discuss it, as a
matter OF fact. Hot weather in Ken
lucky may not be news of national
Importance, but hot weather in Wash
ington city has a very vital relation
to the welfare of our republic. 1t is
too hot to do efficient work here in
Washington, and the Senate will
give up and will pass the bill which
the President wants them to pass.
There will be no extended opposition
on the part of the advocates of the
income tax, who would under ordinary
circumstances spend several months
in expressing their views on the un-
wisdom of the corporation proposal,
even if they did not succeed in block
ing it entirely. They are putting up
brave front, but their courage is
hollow mask. Yesterday Senator
Hepburn, who weighs somewhere be-
tween long and short ton, arose
in his place and nobly declared, while
Precipitation trickled down his Roman
lineaments, that he favored staying
all summer and fighting the matter
out by a tremendous battle of logic.
as his duty to the nation bound him
to do. Sad to cay, this declaration
was made to a chamber already
emptied by the extreme heat. 1t
may appear trivial to dwell upon SO
human subject, but it is a fact that
those Senators who are not too old
to work in torrid weather are too
heavy, with few exceptions. And
there you are. The Senate will very
quickly pass anything and everything
that the Finance Committee and the
President wish it to pass, and will
scatter to various northern resorts
to seek GOODNESS. Yesterday when
a distinguished Senator was calling
at the White House Mr.. Taft asked
him if it was hot enough for you
Senators" and was answered OF course
that it was hot beyond all the dreams
of hope. But Mr.. Taft insisted, say
Ing. Eyes, know that 1t is hot. What
want to know 10 If it is hot en-
ough." The Senator then understood
that the President of the United Sta
ties was frankly using a high temper
ature to drive the bill through Con-
gress.
The debates upon the regular sche-
dulles have been dragging along this
week as usual. Senator Beveridge
made a great speech on the iniquities
of the Tobacco Trust, which startled
even the Senate. 1t appears that the
American Tobacco Company has been
selling short-weight packages by sane
ton of law ever since 1898 when they
were authorized to do so to pay the
war revenue taxes. Senator Aldrich
and the Finance Committee were
forced to admit the justice of Mr..
Beveridge's arguments, and the result
, is that the Tobacco Trust, that most
fragrant and evil of American monopc
/. lies. will soon be hit hard by Congress
sional legislation. Senator Beveridge
deserves the thanks of every man
who has become indignant at this
Trust.
In fact the rates Of the tariff have
been in many cases too high. The fol-
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