The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-08-22
TAX ON PROFIT
FROM WAR WINS
MUCH SUPPORT

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.--
Advoe ates OF eonseriptIon Of
the eountry's wealth won a de-
cided victory when the senate
today. by vote OF - 10 o.
adopted the Gerry amendment
10 the war revenue, raising $40
COG, coo additional revenue from
incomes.
Second Victory
Wealth conscription advocates
won a second victory when. by a
vote OF IS TO 80. the senate ap-
proved the so-called Lenroot sur
tax on incomes between $50, 900
and $4,000.
The Lenroot rate OF 1915 per
cent. adopted by the house, was
reduced 10 ~ per cent by the sen.
ate finance committee. After the
senate. by viva yoce vote. had put
back into the bin all the Lenroot
tax rates on incomes from $4,000
TO $500. 900. In place OF lower rates
voted for by the senate finance
committee. Senator La Toilette OF.
fered substitute for the entire
income tax section OF the bill.
This substitute begins with /
per cent tax on incomes OF $4,000
and runs TO % per cent tax on In.
comes OF more Than s47 500.
Dramatic attack by Senator Lew
IL. Illinois. on tax dodgers, featured
a fiery debate in the senate today.
as those ranged for and against
conscription OF riches to pay the
war voiced their Views.
In the treasury department" he
said. there are proofs of a $780,
100000 swindle perpetrated on this
government thru perjury. fraud and
deception and different forms OF in
dividual and commercial 'trickery'
by tax dodgers.
II the government does not con.
script wealth 10 pay for the war,
the people will rise. and with raised
hands seize the great corporations.
together with all the great oil and
coal resources OF the country he
said.
Lodge Predicts Profits Tax
Before the war ends II will be
necessary for the government to
take 60 and perhaps so per cent OF
war profits. Senator Lodge IRE
dicted IN his speech. He defended
the revenue bill as IL now stands
before congress. Lodge also sound.
cd from the senate. q note now
constantly increasing in volume,
that peace at the present time is
impossible
mo peace without complete vic
tory for America and her allies is
possible" he said.
Take all war profits before tax
INK the people" urged Townsend
Of Michigan. another member OF
the finance committee.
~ this war depends on war
profits" he said. "rd abolish war
profits. wipe them out entirely. be-
fore I'd allow one cent more 10 be
added 20 the peoples burdens.
This IS not popular war II
is a necessary war. know IL is
dangerous TO say Il Is unpopular.
Out tue pNNil' ailliuut TOW ar A. "
such that We cannot take a chance
81 Irritating the people thru taxa
ton. when their patriotism is not
at high pitch.
Won't Raise Three Billion
Therefore. I'm against the irri-
tating proposals Of this bill TO In
crease mall rates and tax meal
tickets
4 also am against huge bond
issues Give Us few bonds and
more taxation. but put the burden
OF the taxes mostly on war profits"
How much would you raise by
TAXATION" Senator Borah OF Idaho
asked.
I'D like TO see three billion dol.
lars raised by the present bill"
replied Townsend I'D get all
this from incomes, war profits and
liquors. with perhaps a tax on auto
mobiles and amusements and sim
liar luxurles."