The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-08-23
Sentiment For Heavy
Levy On Wealth
Growing
GOMPERS JOINS
IT'S ADVOCATES
Simmons Bitterly AS
sails LaFOllette
Amendment


war Fronts.
Taxation that would wipe out
every penny OF war profits" was ad
vocated by President Samuel Comp
ers OF the American Federation OF
Labor, in n statement 10 the United
Press.
Meantime the movement started
by Senators Johnson and LaFollette
in the senate gained such Roadway
that those opposing wealth conscrip.
ton organized in an effort 10 save
the committee measure.
Following this conference, Sen
ator Simmons In charge OF the bill
launched savage attack against
the LaFollette amendment. He
charged that the move 10 conscript
wealth 10 pay for the war had
its genesis and it's matriI in hos
tility 20 the war Itself"
Il charge no man with wrong.
he declared. but | do charge that
20 pay for the war mostly by taxa.
ton finds It's inspiration in a desire
10 make the war unpopular"
Gompers, in his statement declar.
cd on the contrary that mo single
unity the nation behind the govern
ment's efforts in this war than 10
tax war profits.
In the senate, Senator Simmons
said
That class OF people in this coun
try not in sympathy with the war
demand we pay the bill for the war
by taxation. They are exceedingly
sensitive about placing a dollar OF
the burden upon future generations.
Their consciences are. punctured 10
the core az the suggestion that 50
years from now men may have 10
bear share OF the cost.
III Won want 20 make this war
and the bill unpopular with the
people OF small and moderate in
comes. you can do Il very effectual
~ by adopting the LaFollette
amendment"
Senator Vardaman. Mississippi
termed the I.aFollette amendment a
good law In peace time. and a very
good law In war"
THE protests against e." said
Vardaman. are coming from the
class Of men who capitalize their
ual and all he possesses belongs 10
the government In war time, "a
take II need be say take II from
the rich
increasing alarm" Is manifested
by corporations a. the trend ~ sen
ate opinion has yeered more and
more 20 increasing tax on the rich
Corporation lobbyists are AZ work
full blast in the halls OF congress
Wealth conscription advocate are
demanding the government take
from SO 10 100 per cent OF war
profits before placing any additional
consumption tax burden whatever
on the people.
Senator Simmons, in charge OF the
tax bill. today said "LaFollette's
amendment must be beaten He
expects vote today Upon the
fate OF the IaFoilette amendment
will depend the trend OF further bat
ties against the rich. Passage OF
the provision will swing increased
numbers on the side OF those at
lacking war profits. It's defeat will
check the coming charge on excess
profits.
AS It IS the wealth conscrlption
forces have hadded $4,000. 900 10
the income tax approved by the com
mittee In adopting the Lenroot and
Gerry amendments yesterday. Res
toration OF the Lenroot provision
particularly took friends OF the com.
mittee bill entirely by surprise.
Where. were you fellows when
this party was pulled on" Penrose
demanded OF some OF the committee
members after the amendment had
passed
He urged that Simmons reopen
the Lenroot provision but Simmons
said II was all right.
Put the LaFollette amendment
is another matter We've got 10
beat that Simmons added.
n the IAFollette proposal is beat.
eu Senator Kenyon. Iowa. says he
will introduce An amendment 10 con.
script every dollar OF income over
100000 during the war.
Senator Borah was ready 10 nre
on great incomes today
LITCHFTELD. Ill, Aug. 23.-Un-
equivocal approval OF the move 10
increase the tax on war profits and
large incomes was given by William
jennings Bryan in an interview
with the United Press here today.
IL am In favor OF allowing the In.
come tax exemptions To stand as
they were before the war" he said.
The tax on large incomes. how
ever. should be Increased.
when the young men OF the
country are giving their blood TO
save their country. there is nothing
unfair in asking the men who are
taking profits from war 10 pay the
cost.
Il also am gratihed TO note the
increasing tendency 10 put restric'
ton on the greed Of those endeav-
oring to take advantage OF the war
To get more than Just profit"