The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-14
NO PART|SANSH|P OR
SEcT|OMAl|SM IN BILL
Penrose Declares Senate War Rave
nue. Bill Is Free From Both
Objectionable Features
WANT PRESS PROTECTION NOW
Pennsylvania Declares After-war
Conditions VIII BE Such as TO he-
auire High Tariff to Protect Ameri-
Gun Interests.

and sectionalism were cast ASIDE Cum
pletely In the framing OF the war
revenue bill. Senator Penrose, Oh Gill
sylvania, told the senate TO-DAY.
The Pennsylvania Republican MIN
self abandoned. in the face OF war
conditions, his long cherished ioea VI
a protective tariff. However. ne pre-
dicted with great emphasis ina, ai,er
the war this country must estapilsh
such a tariff system in order 10 pro-
tect itself. 49,
"Partiaanship was absent from the
deliberations of the committee, SAID
Senator Penrose. We all agred tnat
II was necessary to raise money ior
the war to the full extent or the re-
Quirements Of the estimates l want
to express my apprecatioh u ene
triotism, without single exceptlon'
of those who appeared before the
conmitte or called on individual mem
bers. Every one was willing to bear
his share to the fullest extent Inc
only question was of equal dlstriou-
ton Of taxes. No one asked lavors'
None were granted. In addition to
the absence OF partisanship. there was
no sectionalism. indicating harmo-
NOUS, patriotic purpose to provide for
the war.
"Since the advent of the present
administration. / have voted against
revenue bills In 1913 and 1917. Tney
radical departure in the country's fis-
cal policy by abandoning customs taxes
and resorting to direct taxation.
believe that in peace time taxes should
como from duties. excise and imports.
Give Up Protective Idea.
but do not. intend at this time.
because 1t is not proper. to argue for
protective tariff. In my opinion, the
time will come sooner or later with
the close of the war, when a protec-
tive tariff will be more necessary than
ever. With the end of the war" the
Industrial contest will be resumed
Members of the British Chamber OF
Commerce OF London declared on
January 3, 1915. that after the war
distinct policy must be adopted
And this policy reads as II II were
taken from the speech of some Ameri~
can protectionist. except that II goes
much further.
In my opinion, it will be inevita-
bic that the United States above all
other nations will require a protective
tariff TO maintain its industrial pros
perity. g.,
But after careful consideration the
committee came to the general con
clusion regardless of Individual views
on the tariff that il would be I'm
possible to impose tariff duties at this
time with the whole world upset,
without enormously disturbing bust
ness
The industry and commerce Of the
es.rld are out OF their normal cur
reats Contra band has been declared,
cmhargoes esta blished. and labor revo-
hut .onized
Present Bill Temporary.
This hil is temporary. In fact,
IL Viii expire after the war. The tax
payer must not overlook this fact
when he awakes with surprise TO the
burden Of his taxes.
This - the largest tax bill in the
history OF our government. Ameri
can statesmen until recently have had
Little knowledge of the principles on
which direct taxes should be based,
There are few precedents to follow
in American history. Nor was il
always possible 10 get fullest informa-
ton as to the experience of other ma
items,
The eomnasstee had IN mind the
enormous war profits amounting to
nearly $4,000 GOO. 600 in 1915. which
will undoubtedly be increased for
1917, and came to the conclusion that
1862 100000 was not unreasonable to
ask from industries whose earnings
have been SO greatly augmented by
conditions which called for additional
revenue
Logical and just.
The war tax is prominently logi-
cal and Just one at the present time
the war revenue measure does not
embody logical principle or taxation
in peace time. 1t is distinctly a war
measure OF temporary duration. The
tax on personal incomes and war prof
Its swollen by war conditions furnish
primarily the justifiable. legitimate
and logical taxes to defray the ex-
penses OF the war.
Il am afraid that the tax on bev-
IA ma
IN many cases. be above the collection
point, and will invite violation of the
internal revenue laws. However
these articles can very well afford to
bear a heavy tax. The consumption
taxes on tea and coffee are mod
crate that they cannot possibly be
felt by the consumer"
The only other speaker OF the day
upon the war revenue bill was Sena-
tor McCumber. of North Dakota. He
did not 60 into financial details, hut
contented himself with expressing his
vtewu of what should be the funda-
mental policy of this government in
raising the revenue necessary to carry
on this war to its final conclusion.
whether II be for one year, or Ave
years. or ten years:
The frs. question that arises" said
he, lis what proportion of the war
burden shall be imposed upon this
ing generation. If one generation
gives the life blood of its manhood
that the succeeding generation may
enjoy the blessings OF peace unham-
pered by the crushing load of arma
ments or unfrightened by the dread
demon war, what Is the least that mSy
be expected of the latter, as a partial
equivalent for the mighty sacrifice by
the former?
There are many who propose that
this generation should be the whole
burden of the war. more unjust
doctrine could never be suggested.
There is no element of justice in the
cricihxion of one generation for the
tranquility of another.
I'VE are giving the blood and treas
ure OF this generation to our full ca
pability. This generation is diving
that the next may remain free. II
is suffering that the next may live
In peace and Justice. Why. in heav. |
ems name, then. should not the next
generation shoulder its share of the
financial burden. In return for the i'm |