Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-24
w.; " !.':;'s;' ;';'i;ilI REVENUE BILL
| PASSES THE HOUSE
Vote Is 329 to 76, All Those On.
posing the Measure Being
Republicans.
RAISES S1,SO0,OOO,O00
Final Passage Will Probably Bc De.
Iayed a Month as the senate viii
Propose Many Material Changes.

Washington, May 2.-Thc war revenSs
DILL framed to bring into the treasury
*l.so0OOo,0oO through new taxation during
the coming year, passed the House by a
vote Of 329 to IS late to-day in almost
the same form that it was presented by
the ways and means committee two
weeks ago.
All the opposing votes were cast by
republicans although there are many
members on the democratic side strongly
opposed to certain sections of the meas
ure. Virtual redrafting of the bill in the
Senate is regarded as certain Material
changes already are contemplated by the
Senate finance committee as a result Of
public hearings held during the long de-
bate in the House. Final passage of the
bill probably cannot be accomplished
in less than a month.
BILLS PRINCIPAL FEATURES.
Outstanding features of the bill are the
greatly increased income. inheritance, ex-
cess profits. liquor and cigar and tobacco
taxes, virtual abolition of the present GUS
toms free list and 10 per cent. addition
to existing tariffs. higher taxes on manu-
tactures. amusements. clubs. public
utilities. and insurance. far-reaching
stamp tax and greatly increased second
class mail matter rate based on the parcel
post zone system.
In only four particulars does the meas
ure now differ substantially from the
original draft. Sur-taxes on incomes
above $4,000 have been increased about
one-fourth above the committee sched-
uc Several articles. including print
paper and pulp and gold and silver,
slated for a ten per cent. duty, have been
kept on the free list. Slight reductions
In the second class mail matter rate have
been made A proposed Ave per cent. tax
on all advertising except newspaper and
periodicals is eliminated.
WHAT SENATE WILL OPPOSE.
Attacks on the bill in the. Senate will
center around the excess profits. income
and manufacturers taxes and the second
class mail rate increase sections. Busi-
ness men generally are protesting vigor.
ously against the taxes and virtually
every publisher in the country is oppos.
ing the drastically increased mail rate.
In final effort to summon all of his
party votes to support of the measure.
Democratic Leader Kitchin declared that
he had been informed personally by Pres
ident Wilson to-day that he did not desire
changes in the bill in the Senate. as had
been currently reported. Mr.. kitchin
also appealed earnestly to all members
to supply the President with money to
carry on the war now that the country
| is in it.
Il would feel like a miserable coward"
he said. ito impose a burden on my chill
dren and my children's children to pay
for something for which they were not
Irresponsible. and yet refuse to take out
Of my pockets money for my share of the
burden
MANN,S BITTER OPPOSITION.
| Republican Leader Mann insisted that
the bill would raise too large an amount
Of money by direct and immediate taxes
This bill approaches killing the goose
that lays the golden egg" he said. I'm
deed. I am afraid we are killing that
goose to-day"
Mr.. Mann placed every possible obstruc.
tion in the way Of the measure thence.
forth. even insisting on a roll call on
motion to recommit. 1t was defeated,
246 to 49,