The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-23
That Is Revenue Plan AdvO-
Gated by Samuel GOmpers.
Allow Big Business Only Peace
Time Returns, He Says.
MAKE PEOPLE MORE LOYAL
This Would Stop Talk About
Capital Carrying Flag.
Labor Leader Thinks 1t Wrong
To Mortgage Future.
BY SAMUEL GOMPERS
president of the American Fedora
ton of IabOr.)

ton of Labor.)
Washington, Aug. 23.-There never
was a war that offered less justifica-
ton for war profits than that in which
cur country is now engaged. The fun
damental purpose of the war Is to
establish inviolability of human rights
In my opinion taxation upon war
profits should be brought down to
nearly peace Profits.
For this war our republic has FELT
justified in enforcing compulsory mil
itary service, at the constant hazard
of health, body and life; to require the
full man power in production and
transportation. That corporations
companies and even individuals should
have the opportunity to coin the flesh
and blood of their countrymen into
war profits is abhorrent to justice
and humanity and in conflict with the
very ideals for which our people and
their allies are contending.
Tax War Profits Heavy.
No single determination would do
more to unity the nation behind the
governments efforts in this war and
establish a feeling of equity and Sc
curity than to tax war profits so heav-
lily as to virtually wipe out of exist
ence profits resulting from the war.
1t has long been charged that there
are industries and financial interests
which have even endeavored to pro-
woke war that they might profit
thereby. Even now, despite the fact
that America has Joined in this world
struggle for the most exalted, funda-
mental principles and ideals. the false
charge has been Ieveled against us
that this is war for profits.
By preventing profits from our
present wars necessities nothing
would tend so much to enroll the
spirit. conscience and activity of our
people in one great homogeneous task
to win the war for Justice, freedom
and democracy the world over
In recognition of the unusual con-
ditions attending war production. in
my opinion the rate of taxation upon
war profits should be brought down
to nearly normal peace profits and
surely the history of industry of the
United States demonstrates the fact
that those profits are not niggardly to
enterprise and wealth:
Don't Mortgage Future
1t is my judgment that it would be
extremely unwise for our government
to raise all the revenue of this war
for democracy and humanity thru
borrowing and mortgaging the future
Under the borrowing principle safe
loans are made to the government for
which full compensation is guaran-
teed.
Interest on loans and often loans
themselves must be repaid by taxation
levied upon the people and which, of
course, falls more heavily on the poor
than on the wealthy
By taxation on war profits, incomes
and inheritance, our country can in
large part meet the expenses of the
war as we proceed with that great
enterprise.
The American labor movement has
officially endorsed the principle of
taxation of war profits. Indeed, the
justification of the principle cannot be
questioned In defense of the prin-
ciples of this republic the government
has the right to ask the service of the
citizens of the country and to use for
defensive purposes all the resources of
the country.