Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-31
Ia TOILETTE DELAYS VOTE
ON WAR REVENUE BILL
Application of CIoture Will
Probably Be Necessary to
Secure Vote Next Week

WASHINGTON. Aug 3o.-Charging
attempt to gag wealth CONSUMPTION ad-
vocate. Senator La Follettee today pre-
ate TO fix date for voting on the rev.
enue bill
IF debate on this bill is to be choked
on. let it be through application Of the
gag rule lately written into the rules
Of the senate" said La Toilette.
Senator Simmons. who late yesterday
introduced a cloture petition, today
sought the agreement. so as TO make I'M
necessary the use of the cloture rule.
1T is preposterous." said La Toilette,
to make such a request just after the
finance committee has introduced an
amendment TO the war profits tax sec
ton of the bill. which totally changes
its aspect. 1 object strenuously to any
agreement for a vote until after the war
profits and income tax sections have
been disposed Of"
La Follotte's stand. If persisted in,
makes practically certain application OF
cloture on Friday. This would bring
a vote on the bill not later than next
Wednesday.
The fight of southern Democrats on
was profits was opened by Senator I'm
derwood, of Alabama.
II have no patience with the money
Stacker" he said. The man who at
this hour hesitates to respond with his
dollars to his country's need, the man
who wants special privileges and spe-
cial exemptions, is entitled to no place
in this republic except one that will
bring on him the contempt and scorn
of the American people.
1T is equitable and just that great
share of the burden of paying for the
war should fall on the great wealth
of the nation. Great wealth is prepared
to meet a reasonable strain. On the
other hand, with wartime costs pyra-
miding with the price of his daily bread
going higher every hour. il is more and
more difficult for the plain citizen of
port his family.
Therefore, every dollar of consump-
ton taxes you put into the bill falls
on n family already in distress"
CHARGES IRREiU LARlTIES.
Underwood compared taxes to be PAL
by numerous companies under the COM
mittee plan TO show inequalities" in
the bill.
Some corporations would be penal
lied half their earnings" said Under
wood. while the Pennsylvania railroad,
For some reason unknown to me, the
committee has evolved a plan unknown
in the financial world. They rejected
the plain and simple plans in use in
other countries. In those countries, bust
ness knows what it's doing under the
war tax system. Nobody would know
here.
The exemption plan of the commit
tee seems to be based upon the princi-
pie of taking from the man that hath
not. even that which he hath.
why should we write on the statute
books a law exempting the great wealth
of the country from taxation, in lam
guage the American people can't under
stand"
BOND BILL TO PASS.
The sI1.5O0. OO0,00 war bond bill--the
most gigantic piece of financial legisla-
ton ever known-will pass the house
within a few days.
The bill was before the house today
with unanimous recommendation for
passage from the committee. Republi-
can members announced themselves sat
isfied with the explanation by Secretary
McAdoo of provisions they did not ua-
derstand.
No attempt will be made to push the
bill. but its passage is expected by next
Tuesday.
Another measure considered vital to
war succesS-the soldier insurance bill
also was reported to the house today.
The committee reduced the amount for
which a man may insure himself from
$40. 600 to a $4,000 maximum. Widows
who draw benefits under the support of
families provisions of the bill also lose
their rights Immediately on remarriage'
instead Of two wears afterward.