Evening journal., 1917-03-15
income TAX BILL
PASSES THE House.
State May Get 100000
From Proposed Revenue
Measure
OPPOSITION
FADES AWAY
STAFF Correspondent.

oeuH Correspondent.
DOVER, March l5.-Without a dis
senting vote, the House last night passed
the Connolly income tax bill and the
Burris inheritance tax bill These two
bills, it is expected will bring into the
state a total of from 5000. 900 to $500
OOO. These are looked on as two of the
most important bills that this General
Assembly will have TO consider Speaker
Hall, after the bills had been passed, re-
marked: I'VE are making history to-
night The income tax bill was the
first one passed. Representative Con
nelly, who introduced the income tax
bill for which this bill was put in as
substitute, made strong speech for the
bill. He told something Of the history
OF the bill and set out its many fea-
lures.
Mr. Welch. in an.extcnded speech, said
while this bill is not exactly what he
wanted. vet he would support IL if il
required his vote TO pass it. His criti-
clsm Of the bill was based largely on
the counties not getting any of the
revenue under the bill. lie stated that
it had been his hope that a revenue bill
would be passed that would give imme-
date relief to Sussex county. Mr..
WEIGH seemed to think that some of the
money might go to institutions of higher
education.
Mr.. Boyce said he did not agree
with Mr.. WEIGH about the bill not
giving relief to the counties. lie
claimed that the State Highway Com
mission bill which will probably be
passed later. will give relief to the
counties as the Highway Department
Will take over many miles OF county
roads. and therefore release the coun-
ties from the expense of maintaining
those roads.
Mr.. Boyce said he considered the
bill an excellent measure and would
support it. He pointed out how it
would give S250.00O for school pur-
poses and the remainder that the bill
raises would go for good roads.
Representative Peet said he desired
TO set Mr. WEIGH right. He claimed
that Mr.. WEIGH intimated some of the
( money may go to Delaware College
or to other institutions for higher
education. He said it was distinctly
stated in the bill that the $3.50 600
would go to the free public schools
OF the state.
Representative Burns made strong
plea for the bill, and said it would
meet the great needs of the State
and give relief where It is needed. lie
said the bill was right and just. and
that he will support IT,
Mr.. Culver said while he would sup
port the bill. he was in the same po-
sition as Mr.. Welch. as he had hoped
a bill would be agreed on that would
give some revenue to the counties.
The income tax bill taxes net in.
comes in excess Of $1,000 a year at this
rate of l per cent. for the benefit oI
the State. The bill exempts rentals
Of real estate and profits derived from
agricultural operations. The bill is
expected TO bring in between S450.00C
and 100000 annually. OF this amount
S250,000 will go to the free public
school fund and the remainder to the
proposed State Highway Department
for good roads
The inheritance tax bill is expected
to bring in revenue Of from 100000
/ to 100000 II provides that 100000
OF the revenue go TO the general State
fund and the remainder to the State
sinking fund
Representative Burris explained ths
inheritance tax bill. and Messrs
Boyce Connolly and Welch urged Its
passage.
The two bills were sent to the Sen.
ate az once. where they we're reaC
and referred to the revised statute;
committee.