The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1917-05-10
TAKE REFERENDUM here
Local Men to Have Chance to Express
Their Opinions of Big Movements
Proposed to Crowd ''War Chest,
With Funds for the Nation.

In view of the interest of business
men In the great task of financing the
war and the urgency for action, the
national chamber has called upon the
Kenosha Chamber of Commerce for
quick consideration Of a referendum
just sent out. Commercial organiza-
tions everywhere are displaying, at the
present time, intense patriotism and a
desire to aid In order that the
opinion of the business men shall make
itself felt and be of service to con
gress in forthcoming legislation, it
must be expressed with all possible
promptness.
Under ordinary conditions forty-fve
days are allowed, but Richard F.
Kaiser, secretary of the Chamber of
Commerce, explained that definite
result could be recorded after two
thirds of the entire voting strength of
the national chamber had expressed it
self in favor of a proposition.
In the referendum submitted to the
Kenosha Chamber of Commerce, the ma
tional chamber committee recommends
that:
Approximately $400,0000oo Of the
amount raised by taxation in the first
year should be obtained as war
measure, from increased individual in
come taxes, through such increased
super-taxes and decreased exemptions
as the committee recommends.
approximately 5000, 100000 of the
amount raised by taxation in the first
year should be obtained, as war meas
ure, by additions to the present
excess profits tax, with amendments
of the law which the committee
recommends.
3-The first class postage rate, as a
war measure, should be increased fifty
per cent, to yield approximately
$100,0o0,oo0 in the first year.
STAMP taxes should be imposed,
as a war measure, to yield approximate
ly $250,000,0O0 in the first year.
5-Customs duties should be imposed,
as war revenue measure, on articles
to yield about $100,O00,0O0 in the
first year.
6-Excise taxes should be imposed,
as a war measure, upon a list of ar
ticles of luxury and general use and
which would yield about $50O,00O,000
in the first year.
Retroactive taxes should not be
imposed upon incomes and profits
S-The amount of exemption from
the capital stock tax should be decreas-
ed from $4,000 to $4,000.
Tt is The invariable practice of the
national chamber in submitting a ref
erendum to give an abstract of the
arguments against the committee re
port. The main heads of arguments in
the case in question are: (a) The re-
port indicates it is desirable to raise
through taxation large sum for the
initial budget of war expenditure.
Against this position it can be fairly
argued that the tendency of taxation
which in large part falls upon produc-
ton, whether by individuals or by
modern business units, is contrary to
present national interest. (b) Large
initial additions to taxation will lead
to subsequent difficulties if the war
continues for any considerable period
Co Taxation should MOI be used for
social and economic purposes, and es-
pecially not in time Of war.
The universal sentiment os the bust
ness men throughout the country is
that few should not be permitted TO
profit greatly by the war at the ex-
pense of many, the committee declares.
War borrowing leads to extravaganza;
war taxation leads to economy, the re
port goes on. Through war taxation a
direct and immediate check can be
placed on extravaganza in individual
consumption. This sets free labor and
capital for the production of military
supplies and food for ourselves and fer
others, and tends to reduce the cost CT
such supplies to the government, which
in turn reduces the taxation necessary.
Tt is a possible but most undesirable
policy, it is declared, to finance a war
altogether from bond issue. Govern
ment financing through war loans
which are derived from savings do not
occasion an advance in prices. Tt is
therefore of the utmost Importance
that in placing war loans every effort
should be made to lodge the bonds
with those who will make payment
-eEaza saHinasS