Evening star., 1918-06-07
WOU[Du|M|T ALL
INCOME TO $5O,0O0
Thomas o. Marvin Suggests
Tax Trainers Take Earn
ings Above That.
WAR REVENUE HEARINGS

Hearings preliminary to framing a
new war revenue bill designed to
raise one-third Of the nations ex-
penses by taxation were begun by
the House ways and means commit
tee today
Thomas o. Marvin Of Boston, rep
resenting the Home Market Club,
was the first witness. Mr.. Marvin
advocated raising several million dol
lars more revenue by increased i'm
port duties.
Benjamin c. Marsh Of the farmers
national committee on war finance
asked heavier tax on incomes. Rep
resentative Albert Johnson of Wash
ington presented plan for graduated
taxes on second-class mail matter.
Consumption Taxes Discussed.
On the general subject of consump-
tion taxes on coffee, tea, sugar and
other edibles, Mr.. Marvin said he op-
but that the war might make such
taxes necessary to secure revenue.
Possible retaliatory taxes by Brazil
on American products must be consid-
cred, he said, in taxing coffee.
Representative Sterling of Illinois,
republican, suggested that consump-
ton taxes comprise "a good way of
spreading the lowest form Of taxation
on all the people. and not leave some
tax free"
Representative Moore Of Pennsyl-
vania. republican. declared, cotton and
cotton products also would be taxed.
He said cotton taxes would be a live
subject" in drafting the new bill.
Returning e,n to the question nol Of tariff IL
Illinois. democrat, declared that after
the war even tho tariff rates of the
Payne e-Aldrich act would not be high
enough to provide revenues for in
creased national expenses.
when the war Is ever we'll have
an annual budget of s5,oo0.ooo 900"
Representative Rainey asserted. III
we retire any bonds
Mr.. Marsh told the committee that
Gov. Arthur Capper OF Kansas is
Committee on War Finance, of which
he is secretary. He said he repre-
sented the National Association of
Livestock Growers. the Dairymen's
Union, tno EQulty oocieey anu olheT
Personally" he said. IT hope Con-
gress will make me pay a heavier
income tax than I pay this year. but.
for heavens sake. make 1t a straight
tax, and not camounage tax on con-
sumption"
He said the revenue bill should en-
force equality of financial sacrifice
and prevent profiteering out OF the
war.
Mr.. Marsh quoted Prof. B. NJ. Ander-
son Of Harvard University as esti-
mating the national income at $685.
900. 100000. Representative Moore of
Pennsylvania, said this was merely
the statement of an individual, and
questioned the authority for these
figures.
"Pay as We Co."
How much of the total would you
raise by taxAtion?" asked Represent
ative Longworth Of Ohio.
II don't want to put 1t on a per-
centage basis,' replied Mr.. Marsh. He
said. of course. he would rather pay
as we co." but did not commit him
self as to what was exactly practi-
cable.
"You would limit a mans income to
$4,000 a year. suggested Represent
with the rest Of his income?"
I'D put 1t in the public treasury. I
wouldn't call 1t confiscation."
Mr.. Marsh finally agreed that he'd
be willing to compromise on 100000
annual income limit and that he could
not see why all over that should not
be taken from the individual.
Representative Garner Of Texas sug-
gested that would be a case OF killing
the goose that lays the golden egg. as
the individual would have to be called on
moro and moro heavily as the war con-
ho yr,ttr fa1 ho
question predicates a lack OF patriotism
on the part of the rich, an assumption.
he said, he had only heard the !. w. w.
make.
No Income Over $4,000.
Mr.. Marsh said that during the war
no partiot would want an ipcome of
more than $4,000.
"on the basis Of 1915 income tax re-
turns. il we take all incomes over
$4,000, some 9,1I9 persons would pay
$3.50, ,00O." he said. "A heavy tax on
lower incomes will yield approximate
ly s1,s00.000.0o0. From income taxes.
secured.
During 1916 the net taxable in
come of corporations in tho country
was nearly $500. 900. at least half
of which should be taken. From these
two sources. therefore. approximately
$o,UUU,UUV,UuU Cdu pc SCCuI cus olHCc cA.
cess profits are much larger this year
than in 1916. This is an addition to
the $4,000. .O0o.o 900 IN receipts from mis-
cellaneous sources"
Mr. Marvin said that in England the
total revenue from import duties in
this year would reach 100000, 900, or
$19.25 per capita.
You are In favor of a tariff for pro-
lection as well as for revenue are you
not?" asked Representative Moore Of
Pennsylvania.
"Yes, SIR" he replied.
Not Ashamed Of Views.
"And Won ara not ashamed Of your