The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-27
SAYS
new TAX Law IS
NECESSARY NOW
Congress Must Forget Politics
To Perform Duty.
Wilson Addresses Joint Session
of Congress.
SITUATION DEMANDS ACTION
Country Has Right To Know of
New Revenues.
Only Way Out Is an All-Sum-
mer Session Now.
(The presidents speech in full ap-
r,ears nm uaDa KY
Wilson Addresses Joint Session
of Congress.
SITUATION DEMANDS ACTION
Country Has Right To Know of
New Revenues.
Only Way Out Is an All-Sum-
mer Session Now.
(The presidents speech in full ap-
pears on page 5.)

Washington, May 27.-JuSt as the
German cannon were laundering their
herald of the renewed offensive on
the western battle front, President
Wilson today appeared Unexpectedly
before congress and demanded that,
laying political considerations and all
others aside. it remain in session until
it has enacted new war tax laws to
finance the growing cost of the war
and prepare the country for the bur-
den it must bear.
At the conclusion of his prepared
address. the president pausing, laid
his hand over his manuscript and
added another precedent breaker to
the long list he has established in his
dealings with congress.
He addressed the assemblage extern
poraneously. speaking earnestly and
forcefully while the auditors sat in a
rapt and surprised silence.
May 1 add this word, gentlemen.
said he Just as 1 was leaving the
White House, 1 was told that the ex-
pected drive on the western front had
annarently begun You can realize
how that solemnized my feeling as I
came to you, and how it seemed to
strengthen the purpose which I have
tried to express in these lines.
He Praises Work Thus Far.
"I have admired the work of this
session. The way in which the two
houses of congress have co-operated
with the executive has been generous
and admirable and it is not in any
spirit of suggesting duty neglected but
only to remind you of the common
cause and the common obligations
that have ventured to come to you
today"
Plans which might have delayed the
| work. but which involved working
agreement between both parties have
fallen thru. The president told the
legislators there was no way to meet
the problem of financing the war but
to have congress remain in session and
go ahead at once.
The revenue situation has under
gone a series of sudden changes with
in the last week. Members of con-
gress, anxious to get away early in the
summer. have been extremely reluc-
tant to make up a revenue bill before
adjournment. but at the insistence of
Secretary McAdoo prepared about the
middle of last week to go ahead with
| the legislation.
Get Rid of Politics!
The president called upon congress
to eliminate politics from the consid-
Grafton. Politics, he said, is lad
| journed." The principal increase in
taxation. the president said, should be
| on incomes. war profits and luxuries.
1t would be manifestly unfair. the
president said. to wait until 1919 be-
fore determining what the new taxes
| would be. The presidents address
| was comparatively brief. taking less
than fifteen minutes for delivery.
| In specific terms the president gave
| a distinct warning against lobbying in
/ connection with the new bill.
Thora G iDdiSDrIta Itah h1o exyidonro ~
profiteering at present, the president
said. and he declared it must be
| reached by the new legislation.
Profiteering Must End.
"Profiteering. that cannot be got al
! by restraints of conscience" said the
/ president, "can be got at by taxation
| There need be no hesitancy in tax
, ing the country the president told
congress. ''if it were taxed justly" He
great task without selfishness or feal
of political consequences.
| "An intense and pitiless light beats
upon every man and every action ir
the tragic plot of war that is now
| upon the stage" the president de.
clared.
| The president concluded with an ap
peal to congress to do its work un.
| grudgingly, and said he could no
/ guarantee a proper administration o
the treasury unless the question were
| settled at once.
! Luxuries to Suffer-
| The president was greeted with
cheers when in his speech he in.
timated almost at the outset tina
new revenue would be drawn from wal
profits, incomes and luxuries.
The crowded galleries and the house
and senate rose and cheered loudly
when he declared that hundreds o,
thousands of Americans troops in tn.
field and in ships are crowding to tn.
front with regiment after regiment II
join them until the enemy shall bs
beaten and brought to a reckoning
with mankind"
! His hearers lauded his declaration
that profiteering should be reached b,
taxation and that the country is read!
for any necessary sacrifice.
| Majority Leader Kitchin as chair
imam of the house ways and mean
,,commmittee which will immediatel.
begin plans for the revenue 1egisla
! ton and Chairman Simmons of tn
isenate finance committee held a con
ference Immediately after the speecl
Ito discuss framing the legislation.