Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18

Washington, D. c, May II. -
Voting in committee Of the whole
late today, the house raised By one
fourth all income taxes on Incomes
between $4,000 and 100000. II
the action of the house prevails
the government will take 45 per
cent Of every income Of $1,0on0Oo
and over.
Washington, D. c, May 17-Demo-
cratic Leader kitcfin announced in
! the house today that the treasury de-,
partment had notified him it win be
necessary to raise $2,245. 900 900 in
stead of 81 800, 900 900 by the war reve-
nue. bin now under debate. He urged
support of the new proposals to raise
the income surtax increases on sums
above $4,000, as now contained in the
bill, by one-fourth.
1hls announcement reverses Mr..
Kitctin's opposition of yesterday, when
the insurgents, led by Lenroot Of Wis
consin and Sheriey Of Kentucky, sue
ceeded in obtaining in the committee
of the whole their proposed increase
from to 33 per cent on incomes be-
tween $4,000 and 100000, and tomcr-
row they will resume their fight, de-
termined to elevate every division un-
til incomes above $500,O0O would pay
almost 60 per cent
RAISE CAUSES SURPRISE.
| The bill as reported to the house
last week was estimated to raise be-
tween 81 800, ,D00, 900 and $4,000, 900 900,
| which was expected 70 defray cDe-half
the expenses Of the first year Of the
war.
Kitchin's announcement was great
surprise.
Yesterday the insurgents were sue
cessful in getting in an increase on the
surtax on incomes between 1000 and
$4,000. Immediately after Kitchin's
announcement today they renewed
their efforts and Lenroot introduced an
amendment to increase the proposed
surtaxes on incomes between $50, 900
and $4,000 from II to 1875 per cent
MAY BLOCK EXAMINATIONS.
To add an increase of one-fourth all
along the line would fan far short of
raising the additional $445, 900, 600 and
it was considered likely that an even
greater surtax than the insurgents
suggest might be levied on larger In
comes.
Meanwhile hope of striking from the
bin proposed taxes on freight, light
and heat bills seemed to disappear.
Hope that it would be possible to
strike out the proposed increased rate
on second class mail matter also
waned somewhat.
INCREASES ARE APPROVED.
The Lenroot amendment for further
increases was adopted in the commit
tee Of the whole by an overwhelming
vote. Preparations were Immediately
made to propose similar increases on
all the remaining divisions Of the in
come tax section.
All remaining amendments, designed
to increase by one-fourth the surtax OF
As per cent on incomes Of s., ,000, 900
and over were written into the war tax
bin today by the house sitting in conn
mfttee OF the whole.
SENATE BACK At WORK.
The storm of criticism Of the govern
ment executive department which en-
gagged the senate many hours yeSter-
day during consideration of the $780,
have passed today and leaders believ-
ed the appropriation measure would be
rushed along to passage
ment broke out in the executive ses-
sion yesterday. Secretary OF War
Raker, the advisory commission Of the
council Of national defense. the car ct.
ficiency committee of the American
Railway association, the proposals for
food dictatorship, and the fixing of
maximum and minimum prices were
the targets for the attacks of both
democrats and republicans.
PRESIDENT IS SCORED.
The president was charged with an
inclination to place the blame on con-
gress for the "inefIiciency and incom-
petency" of executive departments.
many senators complaining that con-
gress is being asked to abdicate its
prerogatives in favor of persons who
are in no way responsible either to
congress or to the people OF the Unit
ed States.
Senator Reed of Missouri democrat.
denounced the proposal to create a
food Dictatorship. He said there Is
plenty of food for all. Senator Reed
also attacked the proposal to permit
anyone 70 fix maximum and minimum
prices.
Several senators attacked Secretary
of War Baker. saving that he has bcenk
running the war along socialistiY
lines by attempting TO cut out eompes
tition. by attempting to fix arbitrarE
prices and by threatening manufactus
ers to take over their plants if they diE
not do what the war departmeS
wished