The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-04-05
WEALTH TO BEAR
WEIGHT OF WAR
Is To Pay the Bulk OF the
Cost of the Con-
fiict
DEMOCRATS
so PLAN NOW
In a Graduated Tax on the
Incomes of Indi-
viduals

Washington, April 5-Upon the
wealthy men and large corporations OF
the country the Democratic leaders OF
Congress propose laying the heaviest
burden of the cost Of carrying on the
war between the United States and Ger
many.
Backed in principle at least by the
administration, the majority leaders OF
the House ways and means committee,
il was learned yesterday, have already
decided that the largest contributions
must come from the pockets OF the rich.
On the general assumption that, aside
from any bond Issue fioated, the sum
of at least $500,0000eO has got to be
raised during the coming fiscal year by
taxation for purposes of the war, the
majority members of the committee are
figuring on raising this sum by a gradu-
ated levy upon the net incomes OF ndi-
vduals and corporations.
For the present the plan is TO exempt
in taxation of individuals all small in
comes, below 81 800 year, but from that
rate upward the scale of taxation VIII
steadily increase until in the case OF m
comes in excess of 100000 the levy
upon the excess becomes practically con
fscatory Thus. the tentative scale now
bepp considered runs about as follows:
ON incomes from & 800 to $1,000, 2l2
per cent; from $1,000 to $4,000, per
cent; from $4,000 to $4,000, 10 per
cent; from $4,000, 600 TO 100000, 20 per
cent; and on incomes in excess OF $780,
600 not less than 80 per cent This would
apply. of course, to individual earnings.
Several members of the committee
strongly favor putting the tax on the
excess of incomes above 100000, a rate
as high as Is per cent or more. On
the other hand there is some sentiment
in favor Of reducing the exemption to
the $1,000 figure.
With regard to levies against the in
comes OF corporations the plan Is TO
follow the scheme that has been adopt
cd in Great Britain and other belllg-
erent countries OF making the industries
receiving most Of the gross revenue from
the production OF war supplies pay the
heaviest premium, thus lnsuring the
country against undue profits Tor the
munitiou makers.
All other corporation incomes IN ex-
cess OF 6 per cent, are to be taxed also
according to the proposed plan, on 9
graduated scale. the effect OF when
would be practically to confscate IN,
erements of net revenue in excess OF ~
per cent.
The suggestion Of the president IN his
message that all the expense of the war
so far as active participation OF the
United states goes, is to be paid out q
taxation levied upon the present genera
ton, is not meeting with favor among
either Democrats or Republicans HOUSE
! Minority Leader Mann wants the whole
EXPENSE paid out OF a bond issue, and
members of the presidents cabinet have
strongly urged the same course npor
him. At least one Of the cabinet oiilcer'
| il known to have contended that tht
government could issue bonds to th'
( extent of $4,000, 100000 at par and at
rate Of interest not in excess OF 312 TO
per cent. The prevailing opinion among
/ the Democratic leaders favors dividing
the expense between direct taxes and
( bond issue