SENATE VOTES BIG INCREASE IN INCOME TAX

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2409

SENATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES INCOME TAX AMENDMENT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, August 22, 1917, the Senate of the United States increased the Finance Committee's income tax provisions of the Revenue Bill by $73,000,000.  The increase, however, was only 20% of the increase proposed by Senator Robert La Follette.

Senator James Lewis* of Illinois, reported the Chicago Daily Tribune, charged "the perjuries and hypocritical attitude of the rich had cheated the Treasury of $300,000,000."  

Lewis supported the Gerry Amendment, which passed 74-0, adding $40,000,000 to the tax returns of Americans with incomes of $500,000 or greater.

*James Hamilton Lewis (1863-1939) was born in Danville, VA & was a graduate of the University of Virginia.  JHL practiced law in Washington State before serving in the United States Senate representing Illinois (1913-1919).  He was defeated for re-election in 1918 but was elected a second time in 1930 & served (1931-1939).  JHL was the first Senator to hold the title of "Majority Whip."  As a Democrat, he was a close ally of President Wilson.

SOURCE

"Senate Votes Big Increase in Income Tax", The Chicago Daily Tribune, August 23, 1917.

Senator James Hamilton Lewis
(D) Illinois
Portrait by Louis Betts (1939)