The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1918-05-31
PRES. WILSON DELIVERS
A RINGING MESSAGE
Tells Solons That Taxes Must Be Levied Now
THAT No One Should Shirlx While The
Boys Are Dying--Tax Profiteers.

wilson personally took charge of the
war tax Legislation today and. an
pearing Unexpectedly before Joint
session of congress, declared it was
necessary TO proceed immediately
with new war tax laws.
Plans. which might have DELAYED
the work. but which involved a work
'ng agreement between both parties
having fallen through, 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 President called upon con-
gress TO eliminate politics from con-
sideratiOn. Politics, he said, is sad
Iourned." The principal increases in
taxation, the President said, should
be on incomes, war profits and lux
uries.
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 lob
bying in connection with the new
bill.
TAX
PROFITEERS
There is indisputable evidence of
profiteering at present, the President
sad, and he Oh clared it must be
reached by the new legislation.
"Profteering that can not be got
st by restraint of conscience" said
IEShe President, team be got at by
taxation
There need be no hesitancy in
taxing the country" the President
| told congress, eff we were taxed
JUSTLY" He appealed to congress to
| approach the great task without sell
| fishness or fear of political conse-
! quences.
can intense and pitiless light
beats upon every man and every ac-
ton in the tragic plot of war that
( is now upon the stage" said the
President.
The Presid Mt concluded with an
appeal to congress to do it's work
ungrudgingly and said he could not
guarantee a proper administration
of the treasury unless the question
we're settled at once.
ANOTHER
PRECEDENT SMASHED
At the conclusion of his prepared
addr SIS, the President, pausing, laid
MS hand over his manuscript and
added another precedent breaker to
5he long list he has established in
MS dealings with congress. He ad-
dressed the assemblage extempora-
neously, speaking earnestly and
folcefully while his auditors sat in
rapt and surprised silence.
MAY | add this word, gentle
men?" said he. "Just as | was leav-
ing the White House | was told that
I'the expected drive on the western
front had apparently begun. You
can realize how that sOlemniZed my
feelings as | came to you, and how
| it seemed to strengthen the purpose
which L have tried to express in
these lines.
81 have admired the work of the
session. The way in which the two
houses of congress have cooperated
with the executive has been gener-
GUS aid and admirable and it is not
in any spirit of suggesting duty
neglected but only to remind you OF
the common cause"
THE
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
The Presidents address in full
follows:
Gentlemen of the Congress-
sIt is with unaffected reluctance
that | come to ask you to prolong
your session long enough to PROVIDE
more adequate resources for the
treasury for the conduct of the war.
| I have a reason to appreciate as
fully as you do how arduous the ses-
sion has been. Your labors have
been severe aid protracted, You
have passed long series OF meas
urs which required the debate OF
many doubtful questions of judg-
(Continued on Page Six)