El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-02-11

Y" = AShlNGION, D. C., Feb IL
NJ Members Of the ways and
means committee, now en-
gagged in slashing the tariff believe
they can raise $1OO,OOO,OOO annually in
revenue from an income tax. The in
come tax law has become part Of the
Democratic tariff revision plan, follow
ing the action of Wyoming, Delaware
and New Mexico in ratifying the income
tax amendment to the constitution
During the extra session, an income
tax bill will be passed 1t will apply
to everybody who makes $4,000 per year
and the exemption may be placed as
low as $500 Men who own swollen
fortunes will be especially hard hit,
and the committee intends that a part
of the load shall be lifted from the
shoulders of Mr.. Common People. who
makes around $1,000 or $1,000 per year.
Where Tax Burden Falls.
Congressman Hull, who is going to
draft the income tax now made certain
by the action Of the states, said re-
Gently;
The chief burden of our present in
direct taxation falls upon people hay-
ing incomes of $500 TO $1,000 per year
and under
1T is safe to say that seven-eights
Of our customs taxes. amounting to
more than $500, 100000 annually, are
paid by people whose income does not
exceed $1,000. Where would be the in
justice of requiring the more than 49,,
600 persons with incomes of $500 and
upward to contribute Sl5O,O0O,00O to the
governments revenueg
The probabilities are. however that
congress will compromise on 500, 000.-
600 to S125, 600, 600 revenue. and viii
place the exemption figure at $4,000.
The ratification of the income tax
amendment by three-fOurths of the
states makes things easier for the
Democratic members Of the ways and
means committee engaged in framing
a tariff bill, which will lower duties
and yet provide the necessary revenues
Of the government
A full fIedged income tax law prob
ably will supplant the existing excise
tax and the Underwood bill to extend
its provisions
New Currency Plan.
Appeals for enactment OF currency
reform legislation al the extra session
are being received by Democratic mem
bers Of congress. as a result of the in
tlmatlOn recently given by representa-
currency committee, that currency
matters might not be included in presi-
dent elect Wilson's call for the special
session
Business men in all parts Of the coun-
try have awakened to the fact that the
best way to offset any danger Of bust
ness disturbance resulting from tariff
slashing is 10 make the currency more
elastic.
Tariff Exclusively:
Some Of the leaders in the house have
been disposed to cOnfiEe the extra ses-
sion to the tariff exclusively. arguing
that one big subject is about all that
can be handled satisfactorily at one
time The letters that are being re-
Ceived by representatives from bust
ness men show, however, that there IS
a general impression that the chances
Of a business disturbance from tariff
revision viii be reduced to a minimum
he Ion -er~f- Il --TH
made more elastic at the same time.
No special form Of currency system
IS being urged, either by the National
Citizens league or by the business men.
They are not approving or disaprOving
the Aldrich currency plan All they ask
is that a revision of the banking and
currency laws be undertaken at the
extra session. They are content to let
the Democratic party deal with the
problem as the leaders see fit What they
insist, however, is that action of some
sort is necessary without delay il the
Democrats desire that the country
should sail smoothly through the
breakers that inevitably follow tariff
tinkering.
To Protect the Birds.
The greatest naturalistin the world %
John Burroughs, and Ernest Thompson
Seton, the man he once classed as a
nature fakir and who he has since for
given and taken TO his heart, are in
Washington to lend the wisdom Of their
counsel and the weight Of their indi-
V1dual influence to obtain enactment of
legislation which viii preserve bird life
in the United States from extinction
Mr.. Burroughs, who is IS years Of
age, came all the way from his home
In West Park, n Y, to attend to this
paramount duty of his latter years. Mr..
Thompson Seton ought to be in Europe
where his winter plans would have
carried him, but he postponed the trip
so that he might participate in this
altruiStic mission.
Favorable action on identical bills
before both houses Of cOngress-the
Mclean bill in the senate and the
Weeks bill in the hOuse-is urged by
the naturalists. They are here to try
10 make congress see the grave neces-
sIty Of passing the measures.
The bill would extend national pro-
lection to migratory birds all over the
United States, providing for closed
game seasons. The Mclean bill has
passed the senate. The Weeks bill is
sun IN committee, although there have
Deen several hearings on the subject
FTCHEP nETTNnC