Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-08-12

1t Is considered in the hoGBe and with
a more or less limited debate. and pos
sibly some amendments from the COM.
mittee form. IL passed and sent to the
senate. ~
The bill Is considered by the senate
finance committee. to which 1t has been
referred. In this committee the bill
may he practically made over" or 10
the structure Of the work OF the house
may be added the ideas Of the senate,
committeeman. 40
II Is debated and passed In the SEN
ate after often nights Of prolonged ar
gument ana parliamentary maneuver.
AS altered by the senate the bill goes
to the conference committee Of SEN
ators and Representatives which finally
reports back compromise draft on
which both houses can agree.
Inasmuch as this particular bill
lengthens the long arm of the govern
ment tax collector 20 1t can reach into
almost every mans pocket. one WHO
attempts to be informed Of what sac
rifices he will be called upon to make
that the world may become a decent
place to live in, will do well to survey
the needs which have brought before
the country this measure for taxing the
high and low.
The American people of course will
not only finance their.own share of the
war. but they will furnish in large
me asure. the monetary backbone to en-
nble the allies to continue This new
law issexpected to make an equitable
distribution of the burden to all the
people in just proportion to their share
Of the nations wealth. Results of the
present laws have not been entirely
satisfactory. ,,& \
Experience has pointed out weak
spots. ~
Estimates submitted to congress
place the expenditures Of the coming
Ixear at about 10000, 0O0. 300, 1t does
not necessarily follow, however, that
the actual expenditure will reach that
figure. The house. committee on appro-
pirations is of the opinion that $4,000
0e0, 600 will suffice. According to the
original budget the expenditure for war
purposes alone will be $24.476. 2s3. es1. II.
The fourth issue of liberty bonds
would be authorized, at $4,000, 200. 900.
whiSh leaves $4,000. 900, 900 to be ,seL
|cured thru other means. It Is with the
raising. of this $4,000 600 900 that the
new revenue law will be concerned.
The problem confronting those drafting
the bill is, just how to levy equitably
upon the various taxable sources;
what proportion of the amount Is to be
taken thru excess profits taxes and in
come taxes and what by luxury, con-
sumption and other taxes. At the pres
ent time opinion is divided upon this
subject. and while at first it was be-
lieved that an excess profits and income
PAX would furnish at .least Sc, 0O0, 00O, 900
of the amount needed. it has now been
practically determined that. in view of
the reduction of profits, brought about
thru the Increased cost of labor and
materials. and also by government price
fixing, it will be Impossible to raise
more. than $4,000 100000 thru this
means. z
Granted that these tentative figures
prove to be correct, there then comes
the question as to how the other
81. 500, 100000 is to be secured. 1t is
positive that there will be general in
crease in the tax rate, but just how
Fthis new rate will be, applied must be
determined by thorough investigation.
The matter of exemption, the preven-.
ton Of duplication in taxation and the
ironing out of those technicalities thru
which some people have escaped the
payment of their lust share must also
be settled before the means of raising
additional revenue is definitely decided
upon. ~
One thing seems positive. The law
makers say they, are determined that
the nations business shall not be
hampered. 1t also seems cetrain that
the people of America will not be COM
PEELED to bear the heavy, buraden Of
taxation that has been placed upon the
English