The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-02-04
SENATOR SCOTT
ADDRESSES BOTH
HOUSE ANDSENATE
INCOME TAX
TO PROBABLY
BECOME LAW
Thirty-eisht States. More Than Nee
esssry Number. Approve the
Adoption in This Country.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 3.-Direct
taxes upon the incomes OF citizens OF
the United States. whether derived
from the idle capital or from the con-
duct of business. were made possible
today by the ratification OF the six
teenth amendment to the federal con-
stitution. Delaware. Wyoming and
New Mexico. endorsing the income
tax through their respective legisla-
lures. completed list OF 3S states
that have approved IL. two more than
the three-fourths necessary for it's
final adoption.
Leaders in congress predicted to-
night that through this authorization
the law which will be passed to levy
the tax upon American incomes will
he introduced as soon as the extra
session opens. Its exact terms have
cot been decided upon. but IL is be-
lieved u will exempt all incomes be-
low $4,000 OF $1,000. and will provide
tax OF per cnt upon the majority
OF personal incomes that do not run
To an excessive figure.
Supplsnt Corporation Tax.
The income tax will be designed TO
supplant the present corporation tax
and will apply TO the incomes of in
dividuals. firms and corporations. In
statement tonight Representative
Hull. declared he favored making the
new tax an intergral part OF the I'm
aDcial system OF the United states
10 remain in full force without regard
10 the character of tarln bills that
congress may enact from time tn
time. one feature which IL H. b-lieV-
"a will be included IN the law. will be
prov Ision for collecting al the
source" of the income. This feature.
now in operation in England. would
require firms tp certify To amounts
they pay To individuals in salaries or
fees and pay the TAX direct To the
government. II IL believed this would
remove much complaint that might
Ice made II the government had To
investigate every individual citizens
income and would prevent evasion o.
the law.
Would Net Big Sum.
Tine annual amount that the govern
ment may realize under the incOm,
taN Is estimated by Democratic lead
ers In congress at approximately s1Oc.-
"00.0"0. This would include the s3o.-
100000 collected under the present
corporation tax.
Up 10 date the state departm ent nas
received notices OF approval by the
Legislature Of only 81 states. West
Virginia. Delaware. Wyoming ami
WV NFAtNO hON III
their action. The department cannot
act upon anything less than the OF
fcial certificate Of the governors and
secretaries of state
Even when all of the certificates are
~ hand the executive will not be in
"A position formally TO announce tina:
TACT I'm matter OF this imporiance
IL is necessary TO move with extreme
caution and Secretary Knox. the Gus
todian Of the certificates. will refer
them to the solicitor of the depart
ment OF state for examination as to
their sufficiency.
II u probable that Secretary Knox
viii not perform his ministerial act
OF announcing the ratification Of the
sixteenth amendment upon the basis
or the present returns. but will awai;
the receipt OF certificates from some
of the states which have not Vet acted
upon the amendment. but are reason
ably certain TO do so faorably IN
this case. and allowing for the time re.
duired for 4 psinstaking examination
by the solicitor. !; probably will bs
af,er March Z before the presidents
notice can issue an order of the adoD.
tiOn OF the income tax amendment.