Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-15
WAR TAX MEASURE
IS DECLARED MENACE
To MANY INDUSTRIES
Manufacturers, JObberS and
Retailers in Many Lines
Flock to Senate Committee
Hearings to Protest

WASHINGTON. MAY l-.-The war
time tax schedules OF the $500. OOO.Oeo
revenue bill We're attacked as threaten
ing the life OF many industries by a
score OF witnesses today before the sen
ate finance committee and were defended
by house leaders during debate on the
other side OF the capitol as absolutely
necessary 10 preserve the life OF the ma
ton.
Manufacturer. jobbers and retail
ers in many lines touched by the new
IevIes flccked to the senate committee
hearings 20 protest Among them were
high officials OF some Of the country =
leading Industrial concerns. Almost with
out exception they condemned the house
bill as unjust. discriminatory and likely
TO result in the suspension OF many OF
the smaller business houses and severe
losses TO the others
The third day-or debate in the house
brought further protests from members
and many suggestions that the heavier
increases be modified and other levies
substituted. There was a dwindling at
tendance and an apparent lsssening OF
interest however. and Democratic
Leader Kitchin said tonight he hoped TO
close general debate Monday night and
bring the bill 20 a vote not later tnan
Thursday
Representative Rainey Of Illinois.
ranking Democratic member OF ways
and means committee. took mp most or
the time today defending the measure
The increases in second class postage
rates were attacked from many quar-
tiers. and NIr- Raiuey said the commit
tee simply was trying 20 get back part
Of the annual loss which the govern
fent SuStriu= through carrying news
nsrsr= and periodicals through tho mails
al one cent \ pound
NATIONS LIFE IN DANGER
Those Of us who drew this bill knew
that the life 81 the nation - IN dan
ger said NJ I;aiuey-
Rsprczeut~1ive Wood. Republican. Of
Indiana. declared there Hre many inc
qualities ia the hill and suggested tax
OF 50 2 head on all the business men
Under the present provisions ne said
10 COO 600 independent business men
would contribute nothing toward the
enormous total 10 he raised
Most OF the senate committee witness
g EXPRESSED q desire 20 do theiE bit
I'm payinE war taxes. but declared the
house provisions distinctly unfair
Those who protested included concerns
interested in taxes proposed for public
utilities cofTeee. tea. advertising Insur-
ance. automobiles musical instruments
the moving picture industry. jewelry ana
drugs Because OF the great number
who have asked 70 he heard The COM
mfttae decided 10 continue its hearings
one day Longer than intended and close
them Wednesday night
Taxation OF parcel post packages was
among the new revenue plans suggest
ed TO the committee Upon drugs new
tax TO consumers Of one cent upon every
Is cents purchase was recommended by
IA q Wawa Il
the industry as ROW drawn could no; De
T.assed along
AUTO MIN PROTEST
Billboard posters and street car sfd-
vertisers protested 10 tine committee
against the exemption OF newspaper and
magazine advertising from taxation
Prominent automobile manufacturers
declared the industry a. 4 whole could
not stand up UEder a per cent gross
profts tax Few manufacturers the au-
tomobiIe men said. are making rcasona-
bic profits now
Similar conditions in the musical IN
Strumeut trade were alleged by manu-
factureTs and dealers and the moving
piCture industry was represented as
barely holding its own financially
The American Federation OF Labor
lined m against the revenue bill muz-
zIirg provision tonight when President
Gompers issued IN appeal 10 70 Int
country 10 fight IT,
The public press like every other
individual concern o. institution should
he required Go pay its just proportion
Of war teNsS- said Gompers appeal
This shouIG no done. however. by in
,rea sing the income and inheritance
taxes. tax uUou profits and upon
land values
To place this tr50Ie tax uTon she
public press Is without warrant ans
excuse, and simply means tha- mari
publications viii ne for p "Ut of exist
ence such condition viii se-IouSiS
menace ,ouG5-.Drr cf life and w0~E al
the men and women employed jH TIE
printing and kindred trades b. throw
M thousands on of employment
The senate late today bv a vote 81
&. to - rejected an amendment offer
sd ny Senator Wad=worth New York.
limiting prohibition OF the manufac-
ture q alcoholics 10 distilled spirits.
The senate then rejected, s. 70 35. ar
amendment offered ny Senator Reed
fAIissourit which would prohibit the
sale a. = beverage OF any intoxicating
liquors
AZ amendment tot he administration
espionage bill ny Senator Reed, forbid
ding the sale as = beverage Of intoxi
eating liquor % any kind during the
var was beaten tonight by the senate