The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1913-02-14
WASHINGTON NEWS
EXCHANGE LETTER

Washington D, G. Feb. 6, 1913,
With the favorable action of the
Legislatures of Wyoming and Dela-
ware, the income tax amendments is
now a part Of the Federal CQnstitu-
tioa. Not since 1870, when the
famous civil rights bill became a
fundamental law, has the Const-
tuition been amended until now.
The new amendment provides:
"AVI. The Congress shall have
power to lay and collect taxes on
incomes, from what ever source
derived, without apportlonment
among the several states and without
regard to any census or apportlon-
ment. +"
The democrats are greatly pleased
over the final ratification OF this
amendment, and are already at
work on a bill providing for an IN
come tax. Representative Hull, OF
Tennessee, who has fought .tor an
income tax for many years, Will be
tine most active member in framing
this bill. some favor tax on all
incomes oyer $500 per year, with
proportionately greater tax on
.incomes over SIS, 900.
One method suggested to insure
election of the tax is the British
plan Of collecting at the source, by
requiring firms to certify the salaries
ana fec paid their employees, and
to pay the amount of the tax direct
in to the treasury. this would sure
w catch the salared man whose in
come is large enough to tax. Cong
ress VIII provide every possible
safeguard for the collection on great
| incomes and to prevent dodglng.
Severe punishmentfor false represen-
tation will be provided. and it is safe
to say That at the bottom OF each
statesman's heart is the desire to
"get after" some of hegreat incomes
the staggering amounts of which
have bee I revealed by recent inquiries
and court records. The great estates
of the Astors and VanderbiltS, and
the enormous incomes of Carnegie
Rockefeller and others will be care
fully included, and after few years
OF practical operation, tax rates may
be changed and made easier on the
man of moderate means.
The only other amendment now
pending is that for the direct election
OF United States Senators, submitted
to the state legislatures last summer
but the advocates of several more
are active in Congress. In the Sen
ale there was vigorous discussion O
rhe proposal to limit the President t
a single term of six years; and tn
the close vote of 81 to SO againS
the proposal to nominate the Presi
dent BY direct primary, ard to cleo
him by popular vote, is slgnlfican
of the widespread and deep-seate,
demand of the people for closer par
ticipated IN the affairs of the govern
ment.
The Supreme Court has afhrme
the conviction of Charles R. Heke
former secretary of one of the con-
nanies forging the sugar trust.
This means that Heike, a salarie
employee, must serve prison teri
while he men higher up, higher uF
!. v vno we're really responsible for tn
: frauds, and who profted by then
nav never be disturbed by the la'
j they have outraged.
d Although it is supposed that tt
!, justices of the Supreme Court ha,
j. reached a conclusion in the famol
rate cases before that court, yet r
decision has been handed dow
Financial and railway interests a
much disappointed by the delay
this AL important matter.
E. The wives of Senators and Coz
'g gressmen have an organization ca
80 ed the Congressional Club. The
u is hign tension over the election
its officers. Mrs. Claud A. Swal
son. Y ife of the Senator from Vi
at pInia. and Mrs. Duncan u. Fletche
W wife Of Senator Fletcher of Florid
=. are active candidates for the office
I president, and the result is beil
watched with much interest, espe,