Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-08
The Revenue Bill

HE long-delayed war revenue bill has been
reported out by the conference commit
zee or the House and Senate. and in its final
FORM ii contains nothing that is surprisins
It's principal features had been anticipat ed
ana Its principal thcory-that Of making in
comes and excess profits bear the lions share
OF the burden--was fixed in the two proceed
ing revenue bills
The bill aims to raise this wear something
over $6,O00,00O.OO0 and establishes tcnta-
i've rates calculated to raise thereafter sub
Ject 10 possible revision by Congress at sub
sequent times, approximately S4,O00,000 900
year. II is extremely unlikely that FOR
many years to come-certainy during the
lie Oh the outstanding war bonds, with their
hSed annual interest charges-there will
be any lower annual budget than $4,000
100000. Which means. in effect that the
country must reconcile itself to what for
the present generation at least. will be Il
permanent policy calculated TO raise more
than two and half times the amount OF
taxes we were accustomed TO pay before the
war.
THAT being the case. il is as well that this
policy should be fixed on the basis OF hav-
ing the heaviest burden laid on incomes and
excess profits. with sliding scale that makes
the very heaviest part OF it fall on the in
divlduais of largest incomes and corporations
with latest profits. 1t is. after all. the
most equitable form Of taxation
BUT, lnasmuch as this theory has brought
within the pale of the Federal tax collector
men who never before were conscious of
paying Federal taxes. the responsibilities of
the government towards the citizens OF this
country are going to be made increasingly
apparent TO those who hold office. both in
the executive and legislative branches Be-
cause they have to pay so much more i'm
taxes. the people OF the country are going TO be
more impatient than ever before with pork
oarrei legislation that adds unnecessarily
TO their burdens. They are going TO examine
win unusually close scrutiny the annual
budgets OF the government and the partv
mat promises wise economy---not of the
cheese-paring variety. which is calculated
only to decrease efficiency and increase the
coslliness of administ ration--is going to he
mighty popular.
In this connection there is a relationship
between this matter OF taxation and the eff
forts OF President Wilson in Paris that is not
al once apparent, but which becomes so the
moment we realize the fact that this 5000
100000 revenue bill makes no provision
whatever for the increased naval building
program which the United States must nm
0ertake unless there is reached at Paris an
understanding that will permit of ii limita-
lion of naval ornaments The House Naval
$780," NrO'i'''At'S'' III NpliHB Unanimously IN
favor OF the big building program, purposely
excluded any appropriation for the new pro
gram and. indeed provided in its bill that
no part of the new construction should begin
before February /, 1920 The money that
was provided in the bill is for the completion
OF the 1916 program. and provision is even
made that the President may in tho event
or satisfactory agreement on disarmament
a. PariS alter or cancel any part Of the
1915 program or the new program TO make
IL conform to such agreement
In other words, ii the critics OF the presi-
den, in this country should succeed in their
efforts to block his work at Paris the conn
try may expect next year to face higher taxes
than it has bareained for