New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-15
Senate Rushes
War Tax Bill to
Early Passage
Finance Committees Revi-
sions Are Accepted With
Little Debate
Minority Report Made
La Toilette Says Revenues
Should Be Paid by Mu-
milton Makers
Minority Report Made

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4.-General
debate in the Senate on the $4,000 00,-
900 war tax bill virtually ended to-day,
and such rapid progress was made on
the Finance Committee amendments to
the House bill that leaders tonight
predicted the measures passage late
next week. Senator Simmons an
nounced that he expected to ask soon
for time limit on debate and also
TO set a date for a final vote.
In rapid succession and with little
debate the Senate, sitting as a commit
tee of the whole, approved the Finance
Committees revision of the soft drink,
tobacco and most of the public utilities
schedules. The liquor and income tax
sections are to be considered to-mor-
row.
To-day's debate made it evident that
the principal disputes facing the Sen
ate are over the income, war profits and
publishers tax sections. Adoption of
most of the Finance Committees other
revisions with little change was fore
cast.
Minority Report Presented
Senator La Toilette made public.
minority report, concurred in by Sena-
tors Gore and Thomas, urging that the
bulk of all war taxes be laid upon IN
comes and war profits. The Wisconsin
Senator purposes to make his principal
fight in offering many amendments 10
increase the tax rates proposed.
Extension Of the per cent tax on
freight transportation to motor vehicle
lines competing with railroads was ap-
proved in the acceptance of the new
freight transportation section, designed
to raise SIT. 500, 900. The Senate also
accepted the committees reduction
from 10 to 5 per cent in the taxes on
Messenger transportation and Pullman
accommodations. Both charges would
be paid by individuals and not the car
riers.
Committee elimination of the House
taxes on gas, electric light and local
telephone bills of consumers also was
accented without debate. They were
estimated to yield s10,000,0oO, and
were stricken out because Of their d.
rect burden upon the general public
The tax of FIVE cents on telegraph, radio
and long distance telephone messages
costing more than 10 cents was ap-
proved. 1t is estimated TO yield $1,000
900.
No Insurance Tax
illumination of the House provision
taxing all insurance policies was &C
cepted.
when the Senate adjourned tonight
Tho nroposed new Federal tax on auto
mobile ownership had been reported
With several Senators indicating de-
sire TO revise the rates toward reduc-
tion Of the tax on owners OF cheaper
vehicles. ....a 49,
Senator La Toilette charges that the
bill. as revised by the majority, makes
nalpably inadequate provision for rais-
inc az revenue needed for financing the
wer through the next fiscal year, ana
that the onus of taxation has been
placed upon those least able to
bear it,"
England has taxed her war profits
sO nep cent without impairing her great
Industries. declared Senator La Fol-
iette Instead, her wealthy classes
"were never in receipt of larger IN
comes, nor were her larger business
concerns more fourishing." Heavy
taxes. he said, could be levied on
American corporations without any
fears of affecting capital or Gripping
industry.
"From the income tax and the war
profits tax" states the report. there
can be raised without subjecting the
country to serious financial strain and
without depriving the wealthy even OF
the Injuries Of life more than double
the amount proposed in the pending
bill"
II Congress were TO adopt the Brit
ish rate Of so per cent on war prohts,
Senator La Toilette said, more than
two and a quarter billions Of dollars
would be realized in single year
from this source.
In comparison with the average
yearly wage Of $500, earned by the
American laboring man. Senator La
Toilette presented statistics indicating
that the percentage of war profits
over normal earnings Of the du Pont
Powder Company was 1,40O per cent,
Bethlehem Steel 1900 per cent, and
American Zinc, Lead and Smelling
-.