River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-01-25
The Administration
New Tax Measure
All Government Departments We're
Closed Saturday In Honor OF the
Late Admiral George Dewey
The Omnibus Building Bill
Representative Lenroot Qulzzes Thos.
Lawson. Congressman J. A.
FreaF's Weekly Letter

It is announced the Administra
tons new tax measure is tentative
from and will probably be introduce
ed in the House this week. The bill
proposes to raise 1926, 100000 from
a tax on excess profits of business
and increases rates on inheritances.
A bond issue is also sure to be en-
bodied in the new revenue bill pro-
gram.
In levying the excess profits tax OF
eight per cent upon all profits of
corporations and copartnerships in
excess of eight per cent OF capitali-
cation, the bill defines capitalization
as including money paid IN, actual
property used or owned and all sur
plus and undivided profits. Concerns
having annual profits of S., 900 or
less are proposed to be exempt and
also profits derived from agriculture
or solely from personal services such
as the income of professional men.
This statement may be technical to
some readers who are connected with
no corporations, have no inheritances
Of Importance and do not pay fed
eral income tax, but to the business
man already beset with taxes and
other troubles, all these proposed
changes are important. If Congress
would plug up some of the money
leaks and conduct Government buSl-
ness on business PRINCIPLES, the me-
cessity for all these tax measures
would not exist but w lille public
money is not taken unlaWfully from
the federal treasury, abundant evil
dence has been presented to show
that many leaks result in much
waste. Sentiment against waste is
becoming aroused through constant
hammering and by the sight of a
depleted treasury.
Last week marked the passing OF
one of Americas heroes, George
Dewy, late Admiral of the Navy of
the United States. By executive
order all Government Departments
were closed all day Saturday, while
at II o'clock a. M, the President of
the United States, and his Cabinet,
the Chief Justice and Associate JUS
tees of the Supreme Court, the dip
lomatic corps, the Members of the
Senate and House of Representa-
tiVes, Governors Of states of the
Union, and other important officials
and persons from private walks Of
life, gathered at the Capitol to pay
homage to the departed hero OF
Manila Bay. After very solemn and
impressive services in the historical
rotunda of the Capitol, the body was
escorted to Arlington Cemetery by
the entire student body of the An.
napolis Naval Academy, together
with other army and naval units
ordered to Washington especially fol-
the services. The occasion was prob
ably one of the most impressive
demonstrations of national affection
and honor ever accorded to any
American
Practically the entire week was
consumed by the House in discus
sion and debate on the Omnibus
Public Building Bill which contains
appropriation of Government funds
approximating $3S, 900, 900. The writ
er has previously exposed on the
floor OF the House the iniquities OF
the bill and in spite of the strenu-
Gus opposition made against erect
ing $4,000 post offices in Jim Grow
towns throughout h e South,
the bill was passed by the
House by vote of 234 to 90. How
ever, it will never become law as the
sentiment against such bills is rapid
ly taking definite form and | believe
pork barrels" are soon to be thing
of the past. This is the first fight
ever undertaken against the building
bill. 1t will not pass the Senate on
the record made in the House.
Public hearings were held almost
every day last week before the rules