The Washington herald., 1918-05-30
TABOO
FOR REVENUE
LAW MAKING
Presidents Words to Be
Motto of the House
Committee.

oiu are TO De IaDOO
In framing ikc present revenue bill.
President Wilson'S warning that the
Hight OF publicity will shine on every
man who attempts to evade bearing
his financial share OF the war bur-
den was followed yesterday by ac-
ton In both houses OF Congress- to
give It full effect.
Chairman Kitchin, Of the House
Ways and Means Committee announc-
ed that before any man would be al
lowed to appear before his committee
he would be required to furnish
credentials establishing his complete
character and purposes.
Senator Overman, of North Caro-
lima, declared that the famous lob
by committee" OF 1918 would be re-
yived to keep watch on the activities
OF persons and agents Interested In
particular items Of the tax bill
1t became known yesterday also
that the government. in framing the
tax. intends 10 make use of the
figures which the tax-collection d.
vision OF the Treasury Department
has on the income Of great corpora
tions. While tho figures Of profits of
individual corporations must remain
confidential, the statistics as to
groups and industries may be used.
Eyssioni Criminal
There were hints at the Capitol to-
day that the Treasury Department
In attempts at recent collections had
discovered many evasions and under
payments OF excess profits. Daniel
q. Roper. collector of Internal
revenue, was said to be ready TO
turn individual figures over to the
Department OF Justice with a view
to criminal prosecution. Department
officials refused to discuss the re-
port.
All sorts OF manipulation are de-
clared to have been used by great
concerns TO make IL appear that
the costs Of doing business have
increased, and that profits have
gone down.
Regardless of criminal action, the
figures prepared by the Treasury
Department will be used by Con-
gress in framirE the new bill
Chairman Kitchin has asked tbs
department to furnish him with the
income tax statements OF 100 great
corporations and groups. Thus
while the department could not. fol-
instance. let him know the conhden.
tial facts OF the United States Steel
Corporation. it can reveal compila-
tions as 10 a grouped number OF
great steel concerns.
1917 Was Prosperous.
Both Kitchin and Treasury De-
partment officials assert that the
year 1917. despite the heavy excess
pronts taxes, was more tremendous
ly prosperous than any other twelve
month in corporation returns. A
member of the House Ways and
Means Committee said yesterday
that the committee would use three
Presidential texts in framing the
bill. They are:
IF lobbyists hurry to Washing
ton to attempt to turn what you
do in the matter OF taxa tion to their
protection or advantage. the light
will beat upon them also"
There is abundant fuel for the
light in the records of the Treas
ury with regard to profits OF every
kind.
There is such prohteerinE now
and the information with regard
to It is available and indisputable' >
Chairman Kitchin, after announc-
ing that public hearings will begin
June 6, gave the following instruc.
tions to men who wish to be heard
on the bill
Apply TO the clerk OF the commit
tee, in writing, giving informa ton
as to name. business address, tenn
porary address in Washington. h Isl
ness, the subject concerning which
testimony will bo given, and the per-
son, firm or corporation represented.
Lobbyists Must Register.
Persons who submit briefs must
give the same information about
themselves as those arguing orally.
kitchin requested that great indus
tries should agree on some one rep
resentative to present the case for
the entire group.
Senator Overman. asked IL the lobby
committee would be revived. replied
that such a corse would be unneces-
tinue until March. 1919 In the 1913
session, it was created for a period
of six years.
Plans are on foot. although ny no
means sure OF approval for a re-
cess of Congress from June Is to
August l. In this time. the Ways
and Means Committee will be franz
ing the revenue bill. When it is
ready to be introduced into the
House. the members will reassemble.
IL this plan Is approved. Under the
rules OF Congress, the two Houses
would maintain enough members in
Washington TO meet and adjourn
every three days.
There is some opposition TO this
plan by members who have bills
which they wish pushed, and who
look at the six weeks as the likeli-
est time to have them passed. The
Ways and Means Committee discussed
the question yesterday. A majority
of the members apparently favored
it, but no action was taken.