Woodrow Wilson to Furnifold M. Simmons

I have your favor of today enclosing the proposals of Senator Reed with regard to the modification of the pending bill so far as it concerns taxes on incomes, and also the proposals submitted to the caucus by the Finance Committee. I do not wonder that there are wide divergences of opinion regarding this difficult matter. Individual judgments will naturally differ with regard to the burden it is fair to lay upon incomes which run above the usual levels. My own opinion in the matter is that it is much safer to begin upon somewhat moderate lines, and I think that the proposals of the committee are reasonable and well considered. I should think that they would commend themselves to the caucus, particularly where there is, I understan so considerable a diversity of opinion, because they run along a reasonable, median line. I have every confidence that an accomodation of individual judgments will lead to a conclusion which everybody will support.
I am very much obliged to you for paying me the compliment of asking my opinion in this important matter.