The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-01-20

on liter WOulu pc, say nail uOilar on
q barrel, and on such a raise it would be
hard for the restaurateur to demand
more than the usual silber groschen for
a stein; but il five cents fiat (as suggest
ed) should be added to the import duty
on every pound of coffee, the importer
would assuredly add that amount to the
price demanded of the wholesale mer-
chant, and he would pass it on to the
retail dealer, and eventually the con-
sumer---poor or rich-would find his
household bill swelled by at least that
amount. Now the family of the hard
working laborer drinks many more
pounds of coffee in the course of year
than does household of millionaire
of corresponding number. When bread
and coffee constitute the whole breakfast
to say nothing of other meals--of the
household group of q day laborer on
meagre wages, and the coffee the fifteen
cent brand at that, to add five cents a
pound is to increase his cost of living, at
least so far as that beverage is involved,
from 25 to 33 per cent, while five cents
added to the fifty or sixty cents pound
paid by the rich man, would not make a
shade of difference in his circumstances.
But some will say, eff we must have
more money to meet the deficit in our
postal management to construct new
war vessels; to build the Isthmian
Canal; to pay the president salary of
$1O0, 900 year, and other public func-
tionaries in proportion where are we
going to get it This is sensible and
pertinent question. If we husband
admitted that we must-increase ex-
penses, we must have additional revenue
to meet them. Where and how shall we
get it Oursuggestion is: Tax incomes.
And by incomes we mean not the hard
earned pittances of the poor, which, un-
der the strictest economy, and some
times at the cost of actual privation and
distress, enable family to make both
ends meet; but the incomes which more
than suffice to furnish the receiver an
ample, or we might say luxurious
living the incomes which fall into the
laps of the rich and favored, the lucky,
il you wish the incomes of those who
have profited marvelously by our liberal
laws, and are now wealthy enough to
prevent radical changes in them, or to
defy such statutes as are invoked to re-
strain them. The income tax should be
graduated one, SO that, if a burden at
all, it would be burden that would fall
with equal comparative weight on all
shoulders well able to bear it. Those in
poor or even in moderate circumstances
in receipt of only sufficient salaries to
afford decent living and admit of lay
ing up a small fund to meet possible
contingencies in the proverbial "rainy
day." should be entirely exempt; those
already well-to-do, and having incomes
more than ample for all current require
ments, should pay certain percentage
on the excess those adding thousands
to their possessions yearly, should pay
larger percentage on the surplus and
so on up to the money barons who are
piling millions upon their already as
founding multimillions every twelve
months.
But neither this nor any new scheme
of magnitude for replenishing the ma.
tional or State exchequer can be made
Immediately available, and quick money
is what is wanted.
This article was suggested by the sig
nifcant hint thrown out evidently by
authority from the State Capital, that
unless additional revenues are provided
the Governor will be under the necessity
of pairing down appropriations made
during the present session with an un
sparing hand, and wiping many meri'
torious ones out entirely. To obviatt
this dire result, a tax on coal is being
discussed, and the members of the Leg
islature are being questioned as to theil
position in regard to such an enactment
We understand that the member from
Wayne is not averse to such a tax, but
feels that it should not be large enough
to furnish an excuse for the slightest in,
crease in the price of that necessity tc
the comsumer-in other words thai
from eprofits the producers are already
realizing from the users of coal, they
can well afford to pay small tax or
tonnage into the State treasury beyond
the inadequate amounts imposed upor
their stocks and loans, without charging
it back t. their customers. 1t is certain
ly to be hoped that the Ways and Means
Committee will find some way to so re-
plenish tie State Treasury as to enable
the Governor to regard with favor ar
appropriation of at least $3.50, 900 to tn,
Farview Hospital for the Criminal In
sane of Pennsylvania. The proposition
of Senator Blewett, of Lackawanni
county to force delinquent corporation
to pay their debts-amounting to mil
lions of dollars-to the commonwealth
may perhaps be the best practical solu
ton of the problem which now con
fronts us,