The evening world., 1917-05-15
SIAN GOVERNMENT DETERMINED TO HOLD FAST

publishers that the system proposed
would tend to destroy business and
render It unable to meet the demands,
Representatives OF other industries
appeared. to-day before the commits
tee. echoing the same sentiment At-
tacks also were made by members of
the Lower House In the course OF
continued debate upon the same btu.
challenging the souLdness OF Its prin-
ciples Of taxation.
The main trend Of tho arguments
made ali around was that the revenue
bill must be rewritten SO that taxes
on the doing of business may be re-
duced or wiped out. " lille income
taxes and excess profit taxes should
be Increased to make up the required
revenue.
The climax OF this contention was
reached in the assertion OF newspaper
publishers that the Government could
take all their profits II required, but
must not penailze them with in
creased costs in the conduct of busi-
ness, which would bring reterench-
ment and ruin to enterprises. Two
homely phrases were used yesterday
to express this view:
"You can have all the milk. but
don't kill the cow" .
take all the fruit In the orchard,
but don't chop down the trees"
Another apt expression was added
in the Finance Committee hearing:
You won't be able to get taxes next
year out of n corpse"
Chairman Nswlands OF the Senate
Interstate Commerce Committee is
working on an Administration bill TO
empower the President 10 compel
railroads to give preference to food
| shipments.
Frank L. Glass said the Birming-
ham, Ala. papers had 70 raise their
| prices 25 per cent. and yet we're SUI
| fering. He said there was gossip cur
rent to the effect that tho tax was a
plan TO punish the newspapers. Sem
ator Williams interrupted to say
| there seemed to be the opinion that
the Postmaster General was respon-
sible for the tax, but that such was
! not the case.
Debate on the bill drew 20 Il close in
the House to-day. Offering OF amend
mcnts underftho five minute rule Is the
next stage and leaders hope that "a
vote may be reached by the end OF the
| week.
Determined efforts will be made 20
amend the bill TO lower the excess
profits, income and automobile tax
schedules, and the proposed increased
postal rates on second class mail.
G. T.. Kelsey, representing the
Youths Companion. said that the pub
| lication paid the Government last year
SS9, 900 for postage. but under the new
rate It would pay S64'ooo. while paper
would cost IL $4,000 more.
Louis Wiley of tho New York Times
said IL has been shown to the COM
mitteo that none OF the newspapets IS
desire TO shirk their responsibility g
tho Government. Postage tax and
paper together. he said, would cost
the Times Sl,4OO,oO0 more than form
crly. The tax. he declared, was an
oppression In view OF other increased
expenses. George McAneny. also oi
| the Times, declared the tax confsca-
tory. He said tho Canadian Govern
ment had lowered the price Of paper
to $50 a ton.
Tho example OF the Canadian Coz
ernment can be fairly suggested q
the Congress as an example" he said
"Is II not fair. TO ask why the pub
lSnlnR industry mas petu hliAsiNN
out?" he asked. I'VE OF the publish
ing business ask nothing more thaI
to be treated fairly"
Senator Williams suggested that th'
papers could advance their rates. MI
McAneny said that was impossible.
James Keeney. OF the Chicago
Ferrld: Alfred r. Ommen, represent'
ing the United Typothctae, MarSden q
: ,ott. Pres dent of the lnternition9
typographical Unioni Matthew VOL
President OF the International Allied
Printing Trade Association and alsc
the American Federation of Labor
James j. Freel, President Of the Inter
national Storeotypers' and Electro
typers' Union; Prof j. w. Lynn
Of Chicago University ana w. y
Jones. of the Minneapolis Journal
also entered protests.
Representatives OF the rubber tn
. Industry were heard next. ~. =
Hotchkiss said there was only thlril
days supply Of rubber In the Unite
States.
Representative Mondell Of Wyona
ling, Republican. assailed the secoL'
class mail increase as an encouragN
mant to proVinCialism.