The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-08-22
CONSERVATIVES now
WILLING TO INCREASE
INCOME SUR-TAxES
LA TOILETTE DEMANDS J.
STRIPPING OF WEALTH
Advocates Taking Of Eighty
Per Cent Of War Profits
of Industries. :

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21.-Increase In
the total levy Of the S2.oo6,ooo.00 var
tax bill was regarded certain tonight
following another day Of senate debAts
and informal conferences among leadera.5
The extent Of the increase was still In
doubt. with antasonlaG' growing between
factions advocating and opposing
drastic advance In rates on war pront1
and incomes. =.
Senator's I.aFollette and Weeks n1ane
tho only addresses today. Tho former
spoke for nearly three hours In favor OK
radically higher levies on war prohtS,
ond incomes Of the wealthy. while the
latter defended the bill as drafted by.
the financa committee. urging that busi-
neys should not be injured By too heavy
! initial tax burdens. = HI.
After o speech tomorrow by Senator
Borak. IN favor of higher taxation ahd
fewer bonds. consideration Of the In
come tax section IL expected to begin. -
Higher 9ur-FAxS0- -:
Leaders Of the finance committee now;
are considering presentation OF amsno;
ments proposing higher sur-taxes on big
incomes. Those advocating greatsft
levies declare at least 80 senators f1voci
such action. although few arc expected
to 90 to the extent urged by Senator,
LaFollette and the other minority menu.
bers Of the committee.
Senator Gerry, a finance committee
member and reputed millionaire, today
introduced an amendment reported to,
have been approved by committee lead
ers, to increase by about 33 per cent
sur-taxes on incomes Of S600.oQo and
more. His amendment proposes levtes..
Of 35 per cent on incomes between &eoo,ii
900 and s750.0no: 45 reI cent on those
between s75O.O1o and $4,000. 900. and so
per cent on those over $1,o00.0o0. It
! would raise $40,225,00o more revenue. r
Radical IA1ollette.
Adv: eating conscr1ption Of wealth to
! pay for the war. Senator LaFollettS. Gaid
! SO per cent Of war profits instead OF
only about 2e per cent Should BE- taken
! by the government. He emphasized the
small proportion Of war revenues II II
proposed to raise by taxes-about one.
fifth the sum to 'be received from bonds.
and contended that The tax bill could
easily he increased by more than
81. 500 .oOo 900 by increasing war profits
and income tax rates. II
Wealthy interests the Wisconsin sen.
ator asserted favor having moro bonds
and fewer taxes. although the people
prefer heavier taxation, He dayed what
he termed rich slacker1
weokT Strong 1spfy.
In replying. Senator Weeks. in two
kour speech declared tho pending b!,i
provides fair distribution between
taxes and bonds. with more taxes than
other belligererts imposed during their
first year Of war. He deplored what he
termed Senator LaFollette'r arraigni
mcnt Of class against class" declaring
the attack upon rich slackers- a libel
upon wealthy citizens manifestine
patriotism.
War taxes. Senator Weeks said should
he imposed gradually 80 as not to in.
jurc business md tax sources. and sub
scquert generations should be made 20
pay part Of the war burdens for the
benefits they will receive. He declared
the imposition Of heavy tax on In
comes in this country and none in Can.
ada would result in business being
driven across the border: that such
taxes would interfere with the educa-
tional research and charitable work now
performed by the wealthy and would
have a, tendency to destroy Initiative on
the part of corporations. at the same
time Diminishing their ability to con-
trlhute TO the expenses Of the govern.
menr.