New-York tribune., 1917-06-11
Chambers of Commerce, IN
Referendum, Approve
Every Suggestion
Even Three-Cent
Postage Is Favored
Men Voting Represent
Wealth on Which
Burden Will Fall

Washington. June 1O.-Even three
cent letter postage was approved in a
referendum of the chambers Of COM
I nerce of the United States just COM
pleted by the national organization.
( In a statement tonight the national
chamber declares that every recon-
mendation made in the war financing
( plan referendum has been approved.
I The result is considered remarkable,
as the chambers represent a great part
of the wealth Of the United States on
which the taxes viii fall.
Increased taxation and generous ad-
vances in rates on income were IN
dorsed. as was tn warmly contested
section advocating 80 per cent in
crease in the first class postage rates
of the country. Here a large number
of votes over the necessary two-thirds
majority were registered in favor OF
the advance.
Following were the recommendations
submitted to the members Of the ma
tional chamber, each organization
being allowed from one to ten votes
according to its membership:
A-Approximately $+00,0O0'0OO OF
the amount raised by taxation in the
first year should be obtained, as war
measure, from increased individual in
come taxes. through certain increased
supertaxes and decreased exemptions.
1926 in favor; 3S opposed
B--Approximately S2oo,ooo,oOO Of
the amount raised by taxation in the
first year should be obtained, as a war
measure, by additions to the present
excess profits tax. with amendments Of
the law. 1850 in favor; 1919 opposed.
Many Opposed Higher Postage
C-The first class postage rate. es
war measure. should be increased by
80 per cent, to yield approximately
S1O0,OO0,0OO in the first year. o22 in
favor; $40 opposed.
D-Stamp taxes should he imposed,
as a war measure, TO yield approx
mately S250,000,000 in the first year.
1892 in favor; 81 opposed
L Customs duties should be i'm
posed, as a war revenue measure. on
articles to yield about SlOO,OOO,OOO IN
the first year 1913 in favor; 81 op-
posed.
F-Excise taxes should be imposed,
as a war measure, 1pon certain ar
ticles of luxury and general use which
would yield about S5O0,00O,OOO in the
first year 1912 in favor; 16 opposed
Retroactive taxes should not be
imposed upon incomes and Drotts.
1,232 in favor; 81 opposed.
II The amount Of exemption from
the capital stock tax should be de
creased from $4,000 to $4,000. liz
in favor; 1873 opposed.
With regard to increased super
taxes and decreased exemptions re
ferred to i'm the first question voted
on. the committee approved the sug-
gestion of the Administration that to
meet the present emergency the ex-
emption for married persons and heads
Of families should be reduced 10 $1,000,
and believes the exemption for single
persons should be reduced 20 81 200.
At present the supertaX does not apply
until the income reaches 100000, and
beginning then with ! per cent. IT runs
to l3 per cent for the largest incomes.
Change Favored in Income Tax
Il was recommended that the war
super tax should begin with ! per cent
on incomes i'm excess of $1,000 and
gradually rise to 10 per cent for the
largest incomes. The normal tax,
which is paid by all income tax payers,
should remain as it now is, at per
cent.
In dealing with the second question
the committee declared some amend
ments were absolutely necessary 20 re-
move inequities that n believes VIII
certainly arise from the present word
ing Of the law. II recommends that
local boards cf referees should be ap-
pointcd. 10 be composed Of qualified
accountants, 10 review appeals from
preliminary assessments, reporting
their findings with recommendation
TO the Secretary of the Treasury for
his action. To lessen the number OF
appeals on trivial grounds. the cost Of
all appeals should be paid by the petit
tiOuprc