The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-22

declare at least 30 senators favor such action, although few are expected to go to the extent urged by minority members of the committee.
 Senator Gerry, finence committee member and reputed millionaire, today introduced an amendment reported to have been approved by committee lead CTS, to increase by about 33 per cent sur taxes on incomes of S500.000 and more. His amendment proposes levies of B per cent on incomes between $5OoOo0 and $750,000; 45 per cent on those between $750,000 and $lO00,000 and 50 per cent on those over $l,0O0,o0O. It would raise $ 225, 900 more revenue.
 RICH SLACKERS
 Advocating conscription of wealth to pay for the war Senator Lafolette said 30 per cent of war profits instead of only about 26 per cent should be taken by the government He emphasized the small proportion of war revenue it is proposed to raise by taxes-about one-fifth the sum to be received from bonds-and con- tended that the tax bill could easily be increased by more than $1500 100000 by increasing war profits and income tax rates. He fiayed what he termed rich slackers."
 In replying, Senator Weeks, in two- hour speech declared the pending bill provides a fair distribution between taxes and bonds, with more taxes than other belligerents imposed during their first year of war. He depored what he termed Senator Lafollette's arraignment of "class against class" declaring the att tack upon rich sackers" a libel upon
 wealthy citizens manifesting patriotism.
 VIEWS OF WEEKS War taxes, Senator Weeks said, should 1 be imposed gradually so as not to njure business and tax sources and subsequent 1 generations should be made to pay a part of the war burdens for the benefits I they will receive. He declared the inn 1 position of heavy tax on incomes in this l country and none in Canada would result l in business being driven across the bor- | der; that such taxes would interfere with l educational research and charitable work 1 performed by the wealthy and would 1 have a tendency to destroy initiative of 1 corporations, a the same time diminish. ing their ability to contribute to expenses | of the government.
 | Regarding the labor situation, he said l the same interests-the L w Ware re- | sponsible for the present strikes in the | west as those which precipitated the l strike riots in Lawrence, Mass. some l years ago. In his judgment he said these agitators are not entitled to any l defense from capital and they get none l from organized labor.
 CONSCRIPTfON OF WEALTH ! Conscription of wealth to pay for the war was urged by Senator LaFollette l He suggested increasing the ZOOS 000, ,00r ] bill to more than $3,500000.000, by such | increases with elimination of consumption l taxes.
 1 The Wisconsin senator declared govern alents were demanding war while their l peoples were asking for peace and con tended that S5 per cent ofN men drafted are protesting Large bond issues de- | sired by wealthy interests, he contended inflate prices and increase the present | high cost of living The liberty oan he said, was made possible by an iron hand within kid glove" and persistent ad- vertisng methods.
 MAY REACH FORTY BILLIONS The pending bill. MT. LaFollette stated provides by taxes but 17 per cent of this year's war expenses, while Great Britain l imposes 26 per cent Next years wal l expenditures, he predicted may reach i SSo GOO 000,00o or s4o,00o 000,oO0 and he urged [ that huge war profits, and incomes ot wealthy persons, by higher surtaxes, be made to bear the burden of the war l By keeping down taxes and increas $. 1 ing bonds Senator LaFollette said, ''The masses are being mortgaged to the mones 1 lenders"
 1 Loans to the allies the senator said
 may and may not be repaid, certainly not for many years after the war Rus sia, he said, is in the throes of a revolu- ton and Italy if reports are correct, is on the eve of one"
 ALLIES CANNOT PAY | Even England and France" he added will be in no position to repay loan. for a long time and if this war should Hast for several years what politica