The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-07-01
INCOME TAX
LIKELY TO FAIL
IF EFFORTS PROVE SUCCESS
Full MEASURE WILL VAN
ISH FROM MEMORY.
Proposed Tariff Creation Welcomed
BY People. But Not by Most
Legislatures.


parlance it is suspected that there is
a good deal OF bunk" about Senator
.Ndricn's efforts to console the advo-
cates OF an immediate income tax
levy with the assurance that the mat
ter Will be passed mp to the state
legislatures in the form OF a conSti-
:utIonal amendment, ana that, just as
soon as rhree-fourths OF the legis
latures ratify the amendment, an in
come tax law will be enacted that
will stand the fire OF the Supreme
Court
When it comes TO handing out
rosy representations as to what the
future may bring forth, Senator Al
drich has no peer. 1t is one OF the
games of strategy that he frequently
pays. When the advocates OF GER
tain immediate legislation which he
does not like develop great strength,
he takes the wind out OF their sails
.5y pointing out plausible reasons for
postponement He will arise at his
desk, and, with look that seems to
betoken the earnestness OF his deep
conviction, ne will announce:
Il think | can state positively that
this matter win work out all right i'll
time"
Those who have given careful AT
tention to an analysis OF the situation
are very doubtful whether an income
tax amendment to the federal consti-'
tuition would be adopted by the legis-
,atures of three fourths OF the states
On first blush the average person
would think that submi would
mean ratification, but when it is re-
called that twelve state legislatures
could defeat the proposition the sit
uatfon takes on "a different aspect.
Legislatures Would Kill 1t.
If the levying OF tax ON incomes
were to be decided by popular vote
here would be an overwhelming ma
jority in favor OF it, but the legislat-
ares OF many of the states are con-
trolled by political organizations,
and in a few OF the states the trusts
absolutely dominate the legislative
bodies so that it will be difficult, il
not impossible. to secure anything
ike a popular expression on the tax
ing of incomes.
In the gossip OF the Senate cloak
rooms TIE legislatures OF at least
,ourteen states-two more than are
/ = cessary-are regarded as certain to
vote against the income tax amend
ment 10 the federal constitution. This
.st is as follows:
Maine, Vermont Massachusetts,
.Sew Hampshire, Rhode Island, Con-
necticut, New York, New Jersey,
Delaware, Pennsylvania, Colorado,
NJ ontana, Nevada and West Virginia.
There are many ways in which un-
friendly legislatures may jrggle with
The proposition. In some cases ref-
erence to an unfriendly committee
will be ali that is necessary TO put a
au:etus on the measure The control
of one OF the two legislative bran.
ches by a combination OF interests
and politics will do the work in an
other. Then there is always the pos
| slbiiity OF resorting 10 lbit OF cor
rrp;ion just where it is needed TO eff
| 'ect results Some states already
| have income tax measures OF their
own and will be loath TO give them
up Not TO do so would mean double
| taxation
| 1t is a fact that the income tax
/ amendment to the federal constitu-
| ton would not be thought of at the
present time if it were not for the ex-
igencies OF peculiar and remarkable
legislative situation at Washington
Public sentiment is not clanJboring
Ifor such an amendment; in fact it j.
being sprung upon rhe country as ar
entirely new and original suggestion
without any prompting from the
masses and the proposition probably
| would not have been forced thr ough
Congress for years to come If it were
| not for the strange situation which
has arisen in connection with the tar.
| :ff bill at this time
Thirty-one States Could Act.