Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-06-18

and almost in the same breath il is
urged that it will not reduce the cost
of living and the price Of necessaries
in the homes OF our people. Just how
these two arguments can be reConCiled
is beyond my understanding. | be
lieve 1t to be a fact, as stated by an
eminent authority, that the tariff is
| the mother Of trusts; that We have pro-
tected American industries in such ex.
cessive profits and against foreign
competition to such an extent that we
have piled up in this country in the
hands of the beneficiaries of the protec-
tive system the colossal fortunes that
are menace TO our institutions.
Il fully agree with the theory of
this bill. 1t may not be perfect; no
assessment ever was. There are IN
der any system or scheme of taxation
inequalities, unfair valuations, and an
unequal distribution of the burdens of
goyernment-local, state and national
which can not be avoided. But be-
lieve that this bill approaches nearer
TO exact justice and to the equal dis
tributlon OF the burdens of government
than any tariff measure devised since
the Walker tariff. And ! further be-
heve that within six months from the
date OF lis enactment business will
have adjusted itself to new conditions
and TO new rates. and that universal
prosperity will prevail But whatever
may be the result Of the bill, there is
no escaping a substantial and material
reduction OF tariff rates; the people
have demanded IT,; that was the issue
which disrupted the republican party.
and the democratic party would be
derelict in its duty. unmindful of its
obligations, and unfaithful to every
trust If it did not enact into law q
tariff measure limiting taxation to a
revenue basis and eliminating the
whole policy and system of protection,
except in so far as incidental protec-
ton results from a revenue tariff"
ON the income tax, Congressman
Williams said among other things:
The democratic party has demand
ed for years that wealth shall contrib
ute its just share to the burdens Of COY
eminent, and TO that end has favored
an income tax. The supreme court
held the last income tax unconstitu-
tional. For years the democratic par
~ has sought a constitutional amend
ment authorizing the method of taxa
ton. OF course, the meh enjoying
great incomes have. through the in
strumentality OF the republican party.
opposed such an amendment. and il
was not until We secured a democratic
house and a senate anti-republican that
we were able to force to the submits
sion of the people a proposition FOR
such an amendment TO the constitu-
ton. We expect that the reduction in
tariff rates will materially reduce the
revenue derived from tariff taxation,
and we have provided in this bill for
an income tax TO make up the differ
ence. 1t is said in opposition to this
provision in the bill that those enjoy
ing an income less than $4,000 Will
escape their fair share Of taxation and
that the burden will fall on those who
enjoy larger income That is true.
but who can better afford II? II must
not be forgotten that under the tariff
sysaeh nose enjoying a mere living
income and who spend IL in the suascrt
and education ~ th>i- f5nTies con- /
tribute TO the expenses Of the govern |
ment out of all proportion to those
great fortunes, because |
there is limit to every mans neces-
sites and q corresponding limit to
legitimate expenditures, and the ne