The copper era and Morenci leader., 1916-07-21

prosperity of which is vital to our na- tional welfare. Without asking for or receiving any favoritism by legisla- tion, such as protective tariff or any other special privilege, the out put of copper has steadily and legiti- mately increased until the United States now leads the world in the pro- duction of this red metal, without which the present electrical age would be impossible. Why, then, should this, rather than the other metallurgical in dustries, be especially chosen to con- tribute to the cause of national de fense at this time? | It is true that the producers of copper are now enjoying great pros perity, but they have justly earned this reward by passing through per iod of depression as the result of en- bargoes and unfriendly legislation like the English orders in council declar- | ing copper to be contraband. Short l ly after the beginning of the European war thS production of copper almost J ceased, and thousands of miners were either thrown out of work or en- ployed on half time at reduced wages. Under the circumstances I feel that the copper industry should, in all fair ness, be allowed to enjoy it's present prosperity I suspect that the real reason for this tax is that the com mitte has associated copper with mu- nitions on account of the large amount of this metal that is used in making war material.
 I would like to inquire why copper has been taxed in this bill and no tax has been placed upon steel? If copper is to be taxed because it enters into l the manufacture of munitions, why has not steel been taxed for similar reason?
 But steel is used to make cannon and shells, arms and machine guns, railroads and bridges, and every other war use from barbed wire to battle ships. Yet there is no tax on steel ingots or billets in this bill. If there is to be double taxation of copper ! because it is used in making muni- tions, why should not steel also be twice taxed? Everyone knows that vastly more steel and iron is used in modern warfare than any other single metal.
 In addition to copper and iron all of the other metals have advanced in price owing to the demand created by the European war. Lead and anti mony are used to make bullets and shrapnel Aluminium is required for aeroplanes, Zeppelins, and automo- biles The manufacture of projectiles and armor plate makes market for nickel, and quicksilver is used to make priming explosives. A vast quantity of zinc is consumed in the form of brass and to galvanize barbed wire If copper is to be taxed why ignore these metals? There is nc double taxation on any of these arti cles in this bill.
 MT. Fess. Is this copper only used for munitions?
 MT. Hayden. I am glad that the gentleman asked that question, be cause it seems reasonable that cop per which is not made into munitions should be tGXed. As matter of fact the greater part of the copper pro duced in this country is used in oul domestic arts and industries. In 1914 when such a thing as exporting mun1 tions of war was undreamed of, over 700 ,OOO ,OOO pounds of copper, or abou one-half of the total production, was consumed in the United States. It is safe to say that even larger amount of copper will be used this year II America in a manner not even re motely connected with the war. Ger tainly it is a misnomer to call this a munitions tax when the greater DOT tion of the copper upon which the collections are based is used for peace full purposes.
 It cannot be possible that this tal is to be levied merely because the copper industry can afford to pay it.
 hope this house will not settle upo1 the policy of taxing prosperity wher ever it appears. The English kings practised that kind of extortion or the Jews of York, but no politica lscaromist will recommend such pro