Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-01
WHY CONGRESS
DELAYS ACTION
It Is Afraid the Voters Will Re-
fuse to Re-elect Men Who
Levy Heavy War Taxes


WASHINGTON. July 81.
NTHEN the President called Congress to-
w gether in extraordinary session on April
TO deliver his momentous war message
II was confidently believed the business In
hand was SO pressing and would meet so
prompt a response that II would not be
necessary for the members of the national
legislature TO remain In session for longer
period than three months. Congress had
gradually been accustoning Itself to extra
sessions. although they are Of compara-
lively recent origin, and wanted to get
through with this one without running into
the hot weather. While II had no great
desire TO tackle the war business, 1t started
vigorously inspired by the Presidents hope
full words with the expectation that the
members would soon be able to return to
their homes, leaving the prosecution Of the
war In the hands Of the President and his
advisers. We are now approaching the
dog with Congress still in session
and no adjournment in sight. AT the In
stance of the President. who is commander
in-chef Of the army and navy, and who
does not desire to be interfered with In
the conduct Of the war, Congress has passed
the most important laws that have been
enacted throughout the whole of its his
tory, and has provided for the expenditure
Of approximately $4,000, 900, which may
now be augmented by half as much more
in anticipation.
1t is putting It mildly TO say that both
Senators and Representatives have been
called upon to lay heavier burdens upon
the people OF the United States than they
expected to do when President Wilson de-
world democracy" 1t is far cry
from the measly 100000 900 that was ap-
propriated to uphold the hands Of Presl-
dent Mckinley to conduct the war with
Spain-about fifty cents per capita-and
the 10000 100000 or s14000,000,OOO which
may be ultimately authorized this ses-
sion to aid our allies in the war against
Germany and to maintain our own part
in that warfare. If Congress gets through
with s12, 900, ,OO0,O 900 authorized before hos
tlites on the part of this country. have
opened. that sum alone will represent
per capita charge of $120 on every man,
woman and child In the country. That may
be called Americas first bit" toward
making 'the world itself at last free" 1t
brings the American expenditure for a
period Of four months only, and before a
blow is struck against Germany. UP to
an amount equal to about half of Great
Brtains total expenditure, including her
loans to her allies, since the war began
three years ago. 1t does not lie In the
mouth Of anybody at home or abroad to
say the United States Congress has been
ungenerous to the friendly Powers Of Eu.
rope
Congress Will Still Deliberate
With the prohibition revenue question
pending and Secretary McAdoo asking for
an additional $4,000, ,ooo.o 900 for army pur-
poses, debate upon the war tax bill will
doubtless continue. The Senate is expected
to discuss this measure for several weeks,
at least. 1t cannot well do otherwise. be-
cause of the suddenness Of the stupendous
new demands upon Congress for army and
navy appropriations.
"where is the revenue to come from?' is
no idle question with the representatives of
the people at this time. In the departments
| of the administration and with the army
and navy, where the tenure Of office IL
| fixed and where, as In the army and navy
| those holding place do not have to depend
upon the people for election, the situation
| may be different. In fact II Is vastly
| different The army and navy are the pro-
| tectors of the country, but they do not pro-
duce revenue. Revenue comes from com.
merce. from the factory, the farm and the
mine, and it Is from the factory, the farm
and the mine that Congress must secure the
| billions Of dollars which the President and
| his advisers now, sometimes with scam
information. say are necessary for the con.
| duct of the war. Tha shoe pinches ir
| Congress because. while It is trying to sup
| port the President in prosecuting the war
| II must answer to the people for the meth
| ods It employs to raise revenue for tht
| support of the commander-in-chiefo of tn,
army and navy. Congress is criticized 70,
acting with deliberation which those whc
| expect to spend the peoples money deem in
| tolerable; but much criticism is irksome I,
| those who are endeavoring to do the patri
otic thing without dragging the country t.
the very verge OF business and financial dis
aster. So the Senate may be expected Il
discuss the tax bill quite fully: and al
| though 1t does not possess the constitutions
right to raise revenue. II will doubtless
4 make suggestions In the way Of amend
ments for new appropriations not considered
or anticipated when the bill was before tn,
House or while II was In course of reyisio,
| by the Senate Finance Committee II vii
have to deal with this situation carefully
because, owing to our changing financia
conditions. new questions are bound to aris
before the bill finally reaches conference.
Big Job for Conferees
No matter how long the Senate discusse
the bill, still further time must ensue whe,
finally the measure gets into the hands O
L the oanHaraaa nf Ia tue l. a