New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-12
Balfour, Joffre, Foch
Coming to u. S. for
Joint War Council
House Promises
Speedy Passage
OF War Loan Bill
President Told Act Will Be
Adopted by Saturday; Tax
Fight Expected

Washington, April IL. - Assurances
that the $1,000, 100000 war revenue
measure will pass the House quickly
and that consideration Of new taxa
ton plans for raising part of the
money will begin Immediately were
given President Wilson and Secretary
McAdoo to-day by Congressional lead
ers at the Capitol
The revenue BILL authorizing
$4,000 100000 bond issue and $1,000
/ 100000 in certificates of indebtedness,
was introduced in the House to-day
/ only few minutes before an unex-
pected visit Of the President to the
! Capitol. Democratic Leader Kitchin
introduced the measure with favor
able report from the full committee
and announced that debate on i would
begin Friday morning at IL O'Clock.
1t is hoped to pass the bill before
Saturday night and possibly on
Friday.
Various Republican members o. the
committee will offer amendments
! which were defeated in committee,
but they have pledged themselves to
vote for the measure, whatever may be
the fate Of their proposals.
Would Exempt Estates
One amendment by Representative
Longworth, of Ohio, to exempt es-
tates from inheritance taxes under
the measure, is expected TO develop
much debate. Secretary McAdoo l.,
opposed to it. Another proposal is
one by Representative Hill, Of Con-
necticut, to raise the interest rate
from 3ls per cent to per cent.
Little opposition is expected to the
principal features of the s5,0o0,000, 900
bond issue - the provision that not
more than $4,000, 100000 from the pro
ceeds shall be used to extend credit
to the Allies and the remaining $1,000
100000 applied to expenditures in
Cured in the prosecution of the war
by this country.
In evolving a new taxation plan for
raising revenue 10 meet the certifl-
Gates Of indebtedness. however, the
Administration leaders realize that
they face a serious problem. Each
side is possessed of many different
ideas that will be difficult to reconcile.
Mr.. Kitchin said tonight that ne ex-
pectcd at least two weeks would be
required to frame bill.
Class Taxes Opposed
The first big question IS what amount
of revenue shall be raised by imme-
diate taxation. The generally accepted
plan has been to divide equally the
cost of the first year OF the war. rough
" estimated at from S3.750,000, 600 to
s5 600 600 900. between bonds and taxes,
hut the President has expressed him.
self AZ desirous of placing as much OF
the burden on the present generation
as possible, and some members OF Con-
gress favor raising 10 per cent OF the
first-year needs by taxation.
Administration and Congressional
leaders generally are determined lha'
the tax shall not be of a class charac-
ter. regardless of the amount. History,
thew say, shall not designate this as
either a poor or a rich mans war.
House financial authorities are care
fully considering proposals to raise
new revenue on increased income and
stamp taxes and taxes of excess profits,
inheritances, distilled liquors and
beers. cigars and tobacco, amusement
places. the postal service, soft drinks
and newspapers, billboard and other
advertising,
Liquors and beers probably will be
taxed millions of dollars, and soda
fountains and other soft drink dispen-
saries. including the near beer par
lors. are virtually certain to be as
sessed share. Members Of the COM
mittee are considering taxing places OF
amusement, including motion picture
theatres. on the number of tickets sold.
Probably the most far-reaching pro.
posal yet suggested is that the postal
charges be raised. II has been pro-
posed that the present one-cent rate
for drop and circular letters be raised
to one and half or two cents, and the
regular two-cent rate 20 three.