The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-11-26
CONGRESS- Will
REVISE The WAR
REVENUE ACT
Inequalities Working Hard
ships on Taxpayers to Be
Eliminated.

Washington, Nov. 26 - Taxation
troops and transportation will be the
three big issues to be handled by the
second session of the War Congress.
1t coaVenes Dec. 8.
The enactment of measures to raise
revenue will be mandatory. Secretary
McAdoo's last estimate was that $10,-
100000 in addition to the sum al
ready authorized will have to be pro-
vided. These appropriations will be
for the fiscal year 1918, beginning
July L. There is no immediate need
of the money and Congress will have
time to deliberate over the methods
of providing war revenue.
Taxation will be the first of the big
issues before Congress. 1t will come
in the shape of amendments and re-
visions of the war revenue law passed
at the last session. Changes are
necessary to correct inequalities that
would work hardsh1ps to thousands
Of taxpayers.
The advisory committee on excess
profits taxes, composed of lawyers
and taxation experts, will make the
recommendations for amendments
and revisions. These decisions, when
approved by Secretary McAdoo, will
be sent to Congress that the law may
be changed before the taxes are due.
Most Of the inequalities have been
discovered in excess profits llevies,
and especially in the definition of
capital. 1t has been shown that in
dividuals, partnerships, old corpora
tons and new corporations, compel
ing in the same line of business, will
pay on four different scales.
If the definition of capital, for the
purpose of assessing excess profits, is
not amended and broadened it will
force the reorganization of many es-
tablished lines of busin less. In some
cases, where reorganization is not
practicable, it would take the bust
ness out of existence.
On the other hand, the sense OF
capital, as embodied in the law
would allow certain lines Of business
making enormous profits to escape
the excess profits provisions.
The matters of establishing the size
of the army, amending the select SER
vice law, and the consideration OF
universal military training of youth;
from 10 to FL will have the consider
alton of, Congress.
The Secretary of the Navy will ask
for authority to increase the enlisted
personnel Of the navy by $4,000 men
Congress cannot escape considera.
ton of the transportation problems
1t is in many phases the creates,
war issues Of the day.
A report by the Joint Sub Commit
tee on Interstate and Foreign Com.
merce, which has had the entire ques.
ton Of transportation by rail and
yxyQf cy- cyt 4
government ownership of railways
will be made during the session.
Development of waterways will be
strongly recommended by the com.
mittee. The linking up of the natura,
avenues of commerce with the raj
systems is held necessary to check
the rise in the cost of living and tc
meet the demand for increased ton.
mage.
Chairman Newlands, chairman OF
the committee, is strongly in favor Of
giving soldiers employment on water
ways after the war. The fact that the
government will take hold of and de-
velop the waterways will require co
operation by the railways Thi.
again presents the broad question Of
| governr<nt ownership of all trans
portation facilities.
/ AT the close of the war the Ship
ping Board will be in control of gov
| ernment-built and government-ownet
ships on the sea.
There is slight probability of thi
| great tonnage being turned over tt
private interests in a short period
and strong probability that it will
remain under government control
Again, control over the railways al
! feeders for ocean tonnage appears al
factor. Congress will have to NEE
this great issue, both as a war meas
ure and to meet conditions that will
| grow out of the war