The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-12-19
HOUSE TAXES
CONGRESSMEN
President and Judiciary Also
Made Subject to Excess
Profit Levy.
LONGWORTH'S FIGHT VAIN
His Effort to Exempt All
Salaried Men Defeated
by 80 to 56.
,pscai Despofch to TINS sus

WASHINGTON. Dec. lS.--The House
voted to-day by a0s to to save the po-
l!tlcal skins OF its members and repealed
the exemptions OF Representatives. and
Senator's salaries from the excess prohts
tax OF per cent on all Of 1t in excess
OF 5000 a year. Through an amend
n,ent offered by Representative Dillon
OF South Dakota the President and the
Judges OF all OF the courts Of the coun-
try likewise will be subjected to the tan.
Representative Plat Of New York alone
voted against the repeal OF the eNenp-
ton.
Representative Longworth OF Ohio
made a hard fight for his proposal Of
making the tax ineffective for salaried
men and men Ia business with no cari-
tai or only nominal capital. This amend
ment was lost on a vo.e OF aS to 56. Mr..
Kitchin lobbied on the floor against the
Longworth amendment. stand up. boys
the Secretary of the Treasury needs
the money 80 h shouted when the vote
was taken.
The Dillon amendment placing the tax
on the President. Justices OF the Su-
preme Court of the United States and
all others holding judicial positions
where the enrolument reaches higher
than 5000 annually was then adopted
on vote Of 9S to IS. This will force
tax OF $3.50.
kitchin Defends Himself.
During the debate Mr., Kitchn. Held
responsible for the tax By mos; Of the
Representatives made short speech
defending himself from the charges
which have been made against him. II
failed to arouse much sympathy or en-
-husiasrn because by the exclusion OF
Representatives from the tax practically
every nlenlbe- Of the House is lin bad
with h.s constituents At home, and Mr..
Kitchin IS held responsible for il.
NJ I.onsworth is not by any means
through with his feht to repeal the tax
on brains by which earned incomes
above $4,000 are subject 70 an additional
tax OF per cent. while unearned In
comes escape this burden. He will re-
new the fight In the Ways and Means
Committee after the recess and try to
obtain a favorable report from that
committee foy bill drawn for that pur-
pose,
Mr.. Longworth paid his respects 70
the REPRESENTATIVES, who we're so eager
to place tho additional tax on their
salaries and adjust the inequality In
that way rather than repeal tho tax on
brains and industry.
"Fear for Political skins
II wish I could believe tina, our
motives-the motives Of all OF us--in
adopting such resolution as this were
high and heroic" he said. but untortu-
nately the force that impels US to COM
nit this atrocity is a fear for on! po-
li,icai skins. endangered. rs some of us
. believe, by the criticisms that have been
heaped upon Congress for passing sec
/ ton 20?
! while would oppose this resolution
OF It's merits 70 tho last ditch. however,
I | realize that the Yulet!de season II
! approaching and that We are about to
adjourn for the Christmas holidays. and
I see many OF my most cherished friends
hero with haggard faces due TO the loss
OF sleep in broodlng over the abuse they
have received TO- having put an excess
profits tax on physicians and lawyers
and ciergymen and exempted themselves
from the operation thereof. So under
the circumstances ! am prepared. unless
the resolution might be amended. tc
swallow It with as good grace as cam