Evening star., 1914-10-11
WAR TAX UNPOPULAR,
SIMMONS ADMITS

Despite no progress in consideration
Of the war tax bill in the Senate yes
terday, beyond a speech by Senator
Simmons, chairman of the finance con-
mittee. in support of the measure,
democratic leaders are confident that
the bill will be disposed of and Con-
gress will adjourn by Saturday or early
in the following week. This, OF course,
depends upon whether tho President in
sists upon any further legislation at
the present session.
Senator Simmons told the Senate that
the pending tax bill had been modelled
after the Spanish war tax law. Ac-
cording to the estimates the bill will
raise $107.e01.4 400 revenue. The Spanish
war tax brought in $105,374,227.
Speech of Senator Simmons.
creases in customs revenues in the last
two months, due to the war In Europe,
Senator Simmons said:
The gravity Of the situation through
which the country has passed during
stated. Seldom have We witnessed a
more critical period in our national
history-one that at times has been
fraught with more danger of far-reach-
ing import.
THAT this situation has been so sue
cessfully met, every thoughtful person
knows, has been largely due to the
strength of the national treasury-in-
spring confidence and steadying the
whole financial situation by its demon
strated ability to render needed assist
ance. to safeguard the credit of the ma
tion by supporting the weak and in
spring the faltering with hope and
confidence.
the Treasury and to undermine public
confidence In it's ability to help in case
of emergency or stress ,would, under
the conditions which environ US. be
would be equally unwise to pursue
course which would bring embarrass-
ment and possible distress to the bank
ers of the country. now taxed to the
utmost to safeguard the interest Of the
respective localities in which they are
AFTER thorough consideration of
the facts with respect to our general
fiscal situation and the financial condi-
tion of the Treasury and of the bank
ers. who are. in a sense. the fiscal
agents of the people. the Secretary of
the Treasury-with grasp and fore
sight which have won for him posi-
tion second to that of no man who has
occupied the great Office he now fills
since the civil war-believes this legis-
lation is necessary in the interest of
the public and to safeguard the ma
tional Treasury.
Profoundly Impressed with the ne
cessity of this legislation. the Presi-
dent Of the United States. in the dis
charge OF his constitutional duties, has
in person appealed to the two houses
of Congress to protect the government
and the Treasury against certain en-
by providing revenue to
offset the loss. 1t is not proposed to
Increase the revenues Of the govern
hut ArAvrv - TIT kos
4 standard sufficient to defray legiti-
nate expenses.
at is said that this will be an un-
popular measure. Undoubtedly that is
true All direct taxes abe unpopular
When the President recommended this
egislation he knew 1t would be unpop-
liar. and from a party standpoint DOS
'ibly hurtful. especially right on the
ave of national election. But the
President is man who does not hesi-
ate"
Wants Publishers Suggestions.
Senator Simmons said, last night. In
,egard to protests made by newspaper
publishers against the stamp tax pro
posed on bundles Of newspapers in
shipment. that the committee desired
@ do what was fair to the newspapers.
He suggested that the newspaper pub
ishers submit to the committee in
writing a plan for a tax upon them.
which would raise as much revenue as
he provision in the pending bill. but
he method Of enforcement of which |
would be more satisfactory to publish
RS than the stamp tax on shipments of |
'"The committee has done its best to |
work out a tax on the newspapers |
which could be enforced without hard
,hip to them." said Senator Simmons.
Now let the publishers suggest to the |
committee some better plan"
He said that he had heard Of the pro-
,osal that the newspapers be taxed |
Ie said the finance committee had not /