The Detroit times., 1909-06-16

WASHINGTON, June l6.-In a spe-
cial message to congress this after
noon. President Taft recommended the
Adoption "a jeiHt-reselHtioff- by two
thirds OF both houses proposing To the
states an amendment To the constl-
tuition granting 10 the federal govern
ment the right To levy and collect an
income tax.
He also recommended the enact
ment, as part of the pending tariff
bill, an excise tax upon all corpora
tons OF per cent OF their net In
comes The message reads I'm part:
1T Is the constitutional duty of the
president from time TO time To recon-
mend the consideration Of such meas
ures as he shall Judge necessary and
expedient In my inaugural address
Immediately preceding the present ex-
traordinary session Of congress, IN
vited attention to the necessity Tor 4
revision of tariff at this session ana
stated the principles upon which l
thought the revision should be effect
ed referred TO the then rapidly IN
creasing deficit. and pointed out the
obligation on the part OF the farmers
OF the tariff bill 10 arrange the duty
so as To secure an adequate income
and suggested that il 1t were not pos
sible To do SO by import duties new
kinds Of taxation must be adopted ana
among them | recommended a grad
uatcd Inheritance tax. as correct III
principle. as certain and easy OF col
lection.
House Makes Provision.
THE house of representatives has
adopted the suggestion. ard has pro
yided in the bill it passed for the col
lection OF such tax. In the senate
the action OF it's finance committee
and the course of the debate Indicate
that A. may not agree to this pro-
vision and IL is now proposed to make
M the deficit by the imposition or n
federal income tax In form and sub
stance. almost exactly the same char
acter of that which In the case OF Poi
lock VS.. Farmers Loan & Trust Co.
was hold by the supreme court 10 be
= direct tax. and therefore not within
the mower of the federal government
10 impose, unless apportoned among
the several states. according 10 popuid'
ton.
THE decision or the SupI'ill' N'"'
in the income tax. deprived the ma
tional government of the power whlch
by reason of previous decisions OF
the court. il was generally supposed
That the government had. 1t Is UNI
doubtedly a power the national gov
eminent ought TO have. IL might ne
Indispensable 70 the nations life IN
vreat crises. Although have not
considered a constitutional amendment
MS necessary 10 the exercise of certain
nhases OF this power, a mature consid'
Grafton has satisfied me that an
amendment is the only proper course
for IT'S establishment 10 it's fullest ex-
tent. T. therefore, recommend to the
congress that both houses, by two
thirds vote. shall propose an amend
uent 10 the constitution comforting
tho power to levy an income tax upon
The national government. without ap-
nortionment among the states in pro-
portion 10 population.
People viii Adopt Plan.
at Is said the difficulty and delay
in securing the approval OF three.
fourths of the states will destroy all
chance OF adopting the amendment
But | have become convinced that a
great majority of the people OF this
country are In favor OF vesting the
national government with power 20
Continued on Page Ten)