New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-29
Conservatives Add $400,-
100000 to Levy to
Placate Radicals
Concessions Made
To Cotton Growers
Compromise May Reduce
Growing Strength Of the
Progressive Group

scr- hundred million dollars, probably
four hundred and fifty millions, will be
added 10 the taxes on war prohts when
me Senate votes on that section of the
rtyenue bill. This was assured to-
ticht. when the conservative group OF
tho Finance Committee, in an eleventh
hour effort to frame a section which
the orah-Johnson-La Toilette group
a radicals could not defeat on the Sen
,,e floor. decided on amendments which
would increase the war profits to that
cVtent.
Adding four hundred and fifty mill
ions 10 the war profit taxes already
p,oyided in the committee bill now
.per ding in the Senate will increase the
total levy on war profits to more than
one billion dollars. And this does not
count the increased corporation tax
nor other levies.
This step, which would have been re-
garGsd as tremendously radical ten
DAYS ago. or even last week, has been
f0fceQ on lUt GUtnlllLNtt ~ NiiN 81"
inc strength Of the radicals, whose
programme of an 80 per cent tax on
wir profits has been gaining in
strength daily, and is receiving much
support from the country, if the mail
Of Senators can be taken as an indica-
ton of this.
Radicals Are Worried
~ Tonight the radicals were little
worried by the Finance Committees
action. The members Of the COMMITTEES
pledged themselves 60 secrecy as to
lust how much they had decided TO
boost the war profits taxes, but The
Tribune is in position to state that
II IS more than SlOO,0OO,O00. and not
above si5O,OOO,OOO The information
that the radicals CLEANED about the
meeting was 20 the effect that the in
crease was not more than $500, 900. 900,
and some Of them heard only S15O,OOO,-
600.
The radicals knew a thorough can
yass was made Of the Senate by the
conservatives before their meeting.
and therefore, they were afraid that
whatever has been agreed on by the
conservatives can be put over.
Three hundred millions looks like a
large amount 20 some of the Senators
who have been sticking by U.S. said
one Of the radical leaders. at looks
like victory to them, and they may be
prepared to compromise on that boost. |
TO my mind, however. IL is absurd 10
think OF taking only ss62 900. 900. That
is an absurdly small amount when il
N considered that there are some seven !
billions of war profits which have been
collected by corporations"
The radicals believe, however. that
hes can win at 90 per cent tax, az
least.
The committee maintained great
secrecy as TO what had been agreed
upon, and it is not known whether the
plan now proposed scales up, as does
the committee plan now before the
Senate. or whether a lump percentage
is taken from all war profits, as is
desired By the radicals.
II is known, however, that the com
m!ttee planned further protection for
ttose corporations whose profits just
PRIOR 10 the war were below normal.
Iais is 20 take care Of the Southern
cotton mills, which made very small or
no profits just prior 20 the outbreak OF
the European war. and which have been
overwhelming their Senators with pro-
tests. They were much in favor Of Mr..
Kltchin's plan OF war profits, which
would take a percentage Of all profits
IN excess OF per cent, instead OF
Percentage Of all profits in excess OF
ine average profits of the three years
Iuor 70 the war.
rs Per Cent Levy Proposed
Senator La Toilette introduced eight
tr,ondments TO the war profits section
!sle to-day. The first Of these provides
levy Of IS per cent on all war profits
not sliding scale, but fiat levy on
rar profits. taking in all S2,280.000,000
p war profits. The next, which will
Dc offered b. the Wisconsin Senator II
We first IS defeated, IS per cent lower,
and the others range downward, each
per cent below the next. La Toilette
eelieyes that before many votes have
esea taken victory will be his.
The highest Of the La Toilette amend
hehts Is per cent higher than the
gar profits tax proposed yesterday by
Seastor Johnson. Of California. The
s9fnson amendment. according 10 the
~.f'tptA'd sfNdkDif Will aNNNdiis Ndh'
~ per cent Of all war profits, when
sihef taxes proposed are added IN.
The situation when the first ballot on
va profits is taken is awaited with
hgeh interest BY the Senators. Every
hght won by the radicals so far has
eeth won without motion BY La Fol
t,s Senator Jones. Of Washington,
1,hered the motions which put over the
Dsaroot amendments. Senator john
ssoh, y Is frankly conceded. will have
1r better chance Of putting over his
xnendments than La Toilette, because
ne undereuTreDt Of opposition 20
"yhing that La Toilette fathers.
me war profits Sight is expected 20
D.gin late tomorrow, after disposition
?, the publishers tax provisions. The
.ie,ors petitions circulated yesterday
.na row having virtually the necessary
.c-tnirds signatures for adoption Of
80 % shut OF debate, are held in
Defeot Of the Hree-cenf port
age DLpn md McAd0O's statcmsat