Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
WAR TAX BILL
DRAWS FIRE
FROM NATION
Kitchen, Defending Measure,
Says Expense Will Exceed
the First Estimate
SAYS ALL WHO DON'T
FIGHT SHOULD PAY

Washington, D. c., May 1o.-At the
opening debate in the house today
on the war tax bill. Chairman Ktchin
of the ways and means committee pre-
dicted that the war expenditures for
this year and the next fiscal year would
reach S5,000,000,000, rather than the
50, 100000 his committee had estim-
ated
Those who stay at home in war time,
he said should be glad to pay the bills
Demands of thewar necessitate prompt
and decisive action, he said, and de-
Of measure which in peaceful and
vote.
1--WE NEED THE MONEY!"
This bill will let every human be-
ing in the United States know that he
is helping to finance this war;" said
Mr. Kitchin, in explaining the reas ons
for increasing all existing tariff duties
10 per cent and putting 10 per cent
tax on articles now on the free list 1T
was because we needed the money"
The committee had gone over the
whole field thoroughly and had put
taxes wherever possible and still lack
ed $200,000,000 when they turned to
the tariff, he said, adding:
81 am going to shut my eyes and
vote for It,"
ONLY THE BEGINNING.
The tariff provision, he asserted. ia
possibly the highest, most unscientific
and inequftable ever written" and 1t
could be defended only on the ground
Of the need for $200,000,0O0 and no
where else to get it.
Every man ought to know that the
steps we are taking are Just the begin
ming Mr.. Kitchin told the house. I'VE
will put more money into this war than
any other country"
Beside the taxes which other coun.
tries at war are paying, those levied
under this bill, he said. look "ridicu.
lously small"
PROTESTS POUR IN.
Protests against many provisions Of
in upon congress by telegraph and
ure was opened
A number Of members on both sides
OF the house were ready to voice their
objections to various features. and
particular opposition was felt by re-
publicans to the increased excess profit
taxes.
The senate finance committee ex-
poets to conduct public hearings on
the bill. and these probably will de-
velop vigorous attacks from interests
hard hit by the proposed war taxes.
BREAKFAST TABLE TAXED.
The breakfast table was assessed
mittee to add few more millions to
the great war budget Of $1,S0O.0oO 900
demanded annually by the treasury to
meet the needs Of the government.
Late yesterday coffee and tea were
added to the long list of necessities
now to be called upon through taxa
tion to contribute "bit" to the war
chest this country is to fill to enable
It to conduct successful war.
BY unanimous vote the commit.
tee added this amendment to the bill
as it had been prepared for introduc-
tion in the house.
Section 10O1-That upon all
coffee or tea heretofore imported
into the United States, which are
held on May 10, 1917. or any day
between such date and the day
succeeding the day this act Is
passed. by any person, corpora
ton, partnership or association
Except retailer who does not
sell coffee or tea at wholesale)
and intended for sale, there shall
be levied, assessed, collected and
paid tax Of per cent per pound
in the case Of coffee and of cents
per pound in the case Of tea.
PER CAPITA TAX $3s.
The bin will raise the per capita tax
of the American people to $33, mainly
through income, profits and internal
revenue taxes and customs duties with
multitude of minor assessments
against necessities or near luxuries
consumed by all but the poorer
classes.
The people of the British Isles are
paying a per capita tax Of $50 a year
NEW YORK CITY HALL
SCENE OF NOON FIRE