The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-04-03
THE PROPOSED INCOME TAX

The Washington correspondent of the New
York Tribune sends out the information that the
Democrats are determined upon the imposition of
income tax. This, We have pointed out here
tofore, is complete departure from the Democrat
ic protestation of economy and the promise of
reduction of the expenses of the Government. In.
deed, the Democratic pretense for such economy
was thrown to the wind by the recent Democratic
House, which, while denouncng the extravaganza
of the previous Republican sessions actually rolled,
up appropriations amounting to nearly s1OO,OOO,O0O
larger than any other session Of Congress had ap
propriated.
BY reason of the Democratic complaints against
Republican extravaganza and Democratic promises
of economy if that party were given power, we
had reason to expect that even after such reduc !,
tons in the tariff schedules the Democrats might
PROPOSE there would still be ample money left to-
the government without the imposition of adj
ditonal taxes. But all at We find as am
undoubted and determined purpose on the part Of
the Democrats for an imposition of an income tax
at the very first Congress succeeding the Consti-
tutional amendment which allows of the mposi-
ton Of that tax. This is an inconsistent PROPOSE
ton altogether the part of the Democrats and is
a tax burden which the country had no reason to
expect that the Democrats would impose upon 1t.
The correspondent referred to gives conss-
tent idea of what It is that the Democrats propose
He says that the bill that will be reported by the
Democrats will tax all incomes in excess Of $3500
Representative Hull of the House Ways and Means
Committee, who is called the income tax expert of
the House, is quoted as favoring a tax Of one per
cent on all earned incomes in excess Of $4,000 and
a tax Of and one-hah per cent on unearned in
comes and a graduated higher tax the amount
= OF the income increases. Right here Representa-
tive Hull would raise question as to the validity
OF the tax which he proposes, for even under the
income tax amendment 1t is doubtful If Congress
would have the power to make discrimination In
the rate Of taxation as between earned income and
income received from inherited estates or invested
principal. The intent evidently Is to make dis
tinction between the wage Garner who may earn
more than $500 a year and the one who gets
above $500 year from investment that he has
not himself earned. Whether the Supreme Court
would affirm a distinction like this Is q question;
but it can generally be assumed that a legislative
body will be pretty sure to raise questions for the
courts to settle.
The rate of taxation proposed, one per cent,
say up to $4,000, is not severe But have
clearly shown and the fact evidetly is, the country
had no reason to expect that the Democrats would
impose any additional at all, either by way of
income tax otherwise; for the Democrats have
been blatant In insisting that the Governments
revenues were far above the needs OF the public;
that the Republicans were extravagant and wastel
full in making appropriations that they did; and
have been loud In their promises that II the Demo
Gratis were given power there would be such econ
omy in the Governmental expenditures as would
relieve the people from large burdens Of taxation
| And To- at the very first opportunity. the Demo
Gratis get they propose to impose income tax
a form OF taxation that ought not 60 be resorted
| to except in some Governmental crisis like the
Civil War; and the imposition OF It clearly gives
the lie to all OF their promises OF economy and to
their indignant arraignments OF tho Republican par.
| ty for extravaganza and waste. Salt Lake Tri,
bune.