The Washington times., 1913-04-26
ASSERTS RICH BEAR
INCOME TAX BURDEN
Hull, Democratic Expert of
the House, Says Measure
Will Relieve Board.

Declaring that the income tax pro-
vision of the Wilson Underwood bill
will tap the pockets of those best able
TO support the Government, Congress
man Cordell Hull of Tennessee, Demo-
House, today explained the new law,
during the tariff debate
THE richer a person grows the less
he pays in taxes in relation to his prop
erty and income" Mr. Hull declared.
Under the present system of taxation
personal property practically escapes
taxation either for local or State pur-
poses. The mayor of Philadelphia re-
Gently stated that the undervaluation
in that city is more than S300, 0,00o, ,000-"
In paying taxes through high tariff
duties Hull said that over s., SOC, 0Gl, 600
Is paid as a bonus to those select indi-
viduals and industries given special ia
vors by the high protective tax.
Under the present system of taxation
the poor man with large family pays
omre taxes than the rich man with
small family. Hence the man of wealth
who is too selfish and too unpatriotic TO
pay taxes will vigorously oppose this
income tax
Denies It's Class Legislation.
Hull denied that the income tax is
class or sectional legislation.
''Prejudiced persons have said that
the income tax is tax upon thrift and
industry said Hull. 1t can be replied
that the tariff is tax upon consumption.
want, and even poverty and misery"
THE wilson-Underwood bill is ev
identity drawn to hit an industry when
ever you see one,'' . Congressman Kahn,
California Republican declared He
dwelt upon denials :hat the protective
tarlff has been responsible for growth
of trusts and -monopoiies-
The Californian commended Presi-
dent Wilson for his enterprise in read
ing his special message to the joint
session of Congress.
1T was a bold stroke, a brilliant
spectacle, excellentfy executed" ne
said The press of the country approved
the innovation.
But" Kahn asserted. IF a Repub-
lican President attempted such an in
no.ation. he would have been howied
down for revolutionary methods.
Claims Profit from Tariff.
"A national balance sheet showing a
profit from protective tariff was exhib
.ited to the House by Congressman
Green, Iowa, Republican, a minority
member of the Ways and Means Com
mittee.
with each succeeding decade in
which our party has been in power"
said Green, wage standards have ad-
yanced, comforts of life have been more
widely distributed. and the wealth of
the nation has increased. But all this
counts for nothing with the Democratic
party"
Congressman Lafferty. Oregon. Pro-
gressive, suggested that the tariff bill
should be called the ''Woodrow-Under-I
wood bill.
1T was written, I understand, by Un-
derwood and underwritten by Wood |
row" he said. He declared that the
next numerous party to the Democrats
the Progressfves-favor a protective
Outlining the Progressive plans for
corporation control. ,Lafferty said:
big business and the money power
has been able for fifty years to defeat
practically every effort made by the
peopei to bring them under control The
tentacles of big business and the money
power extend into every city and
State"
Congressman Bailey. Pennsylvania
(Demoerat), stated that the bill is
compromise and $50 largely enlarges
the free list that We may forgive its
errors in the direction of accorded priv
ileges to special interests"
Congressman Anderson, Minnesota
(Republican), said the recent designa-
ton by William Randolph Hearst of
the President as a .'free-trader" was
not complimentary, but accurate"