Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-25
CROKER ON THE SPOT
Tammany's Chief Directing the
Fight Against the Income Tax.
THE TIGERS AT THE CAPITOL
Friends of the Wilson Bill Made
Extremely Anxious.


The fight Of the eastern democrats against
the income tax has begun In earnest. The
fltbuster begun unsuccessfully by Mr.. Cock
ran IN the House late yesterday afternoon
was renewed by him this morning and his
efforts from the start were again unsuc-
cessful. He made the point of no quorum
when the consideration of the bill began
and quorum appeared. so that he was
defeated.
The fight is being conducted by Mr..
Croker in person. Mr.. Croker arrived here
this morning without further notice to any
ane than dispatch to Harry Walker, the
becretary Of Senator Murphy. asking him
TO meet him at the train. Soon after break
last he established himself in one Of the
committee rooms at the Capitol and sent
Tor several of the members of the New
York delegation and conferred and advised
with them as to the method Of attack upon
the income tax. The organization against
the income tax under his direction is COM
plete, and it is understood that his ad-
vice Is to fight by every parliamentary
means against the addition Of this propo-
sition to the Wilson bill. and then. If 1t is
added. to fight with an equal determine
uon against the passage Of the bill.
Tammany and the Tariff.
1t Is understood that deeper than the op-
position to the income tax lies an antago-
rism to the tariff bill itself, and that if
the income tax were the means Of defeat
ing the whole BILL 1t would be gratifying to
Tammany. Every member Of the New York
delegation and some Of those from New Jer-
sey and New England had conferences with
Mr.. Croker. and enrolled themselves in the
organized opposition to .he ways and
means committee. At Il O'Clock II was said
that they had thirty-five democrats who
had promised tU vote against the bill, If the
income feature was added to 1t, and
large number Of these will vote against the
Dill without regard to the income tax. This
number is not sufficient to defeat the meas
ure but they are still working for recruits,
and the situation is regarded as critical.
The opposition proposes first to vote against
the addition of the income tax to the bill,
then to vote to recommit the bill, and after
that. IL they have failed in the other propo-
sitions. to vote against the whole measure
In the House.
The Republicans.
The republicans WILL it is said. as a rule,
vote in the committee of the whole to add
the income tax to the bill Whether on
the yea and nay vote in the House they
Will vote the same way not is uncer-
tain. 1t is announced also that they will
vote against the proposition to recommit
the bill OF course, when it comes to the
final vote, all the republicans will vote
against the measure, and with them thirty
nve or more democrats. The situation of
the measure could hardly be more critical
than IL Is. and the members of the ways
and means committee are extremely appre-
hensive. The fight is one to death. The
committee believe that the strength which
Mr.. Cookers forces have developed now is
the greatest. and that 1t will be entirely
insufficient, but every nerve is strained, and
II will be great struggle. The sugar men
are acting with Mr.. Crokers forces.
On the start the opponents of the bill
don't show much strength. Cochran, in his
dilatory tactics. has had the support of
less than twenty members in each move.
This, however, does not represent his full
strength, since many of his followers will
not join In any filibuster.
one New York republican said this morn
ing that he would vote to make the income.
tax part of the customs measure. mas
much as the income bill provides the means
OF raising the revenues necessary to meet
the deficit caused by the customs bill, and
that the two ought very properly to be
united He said that a number of republi-
cans entertain similar belief, and in his
measure would be sufficiently strong to car
~ the day.
May Delay the Vote.
The incorporation Of the tax bill In the
customs measure may have the effect of de-
laying the vote upon the latter until We'd
nesday instead Of Monday next, as is the
present program. At the democratic caucus
held a fortnight ago the possibility of the
two bills being merged together was sug-
gested; Mr. Coombs Of New York, who is
strongly opposed to the income BILL there
upon asked If time would be given to de-
bate the latter before vote was taken.
Speaker Crisp is understood to have said
proceeding. and stated that two additional
GAYS would be given In which the House
might consider It,
New Jersey DELEGATION Takes Action
The New Jersey democratic delegation has
taken the first formal action toward voting
against the Wilson bill If the income tax
Is attached to it. There are six in the dele
sauon- AT meeting at which all were
present except Mr.. Fielder it was agreed to
vote against the tariff bill if the income
tax was included. Mr. Cornish was the
only one dissenting. He opposed the tax.
but would not carry his opposition to the
extent OF voting against the Wilson BILL
ME- Fielder, who was absent, is understood
TO agree with the majority of his associates
The Program of the Managers.
The program of the managers Of the in
come tax bill has not yet been decided
upon- Whetner or not it shall be offered
as an amendment to the pending bill is
tie question. MIR. Bryan, who Is one of the
foremost advocates of the measure is on
deavoring to arrange for its introdnction
as an amendment to the customs revenue
Dill, but has not yet perfected his plans
Ane Key TO the situation Is Chairman
Richardson, and he has not yet Indicated
what he will do. 1t rests with him to recog-
nlze the members in debate, and If he de
cIlnes to give the floor to a member for
the purpose of moving the income tax bill
as an amendment he can probably keep 1t
QUIZ until the customs bill shall have been
oisposed or Mr.. Bryan said this morning:
We have not yet decided what shall be
done. We have made no formal request
OF the chairman for recognition; there
fcre he has neither refused nor agreed to
give US recognition"
Representative Outhwaite, q member of
the committee on rules. said: THE chair
man has list of gentlemen who have filed
thelr Applications for recognition. Now, as
perfectly fair presiding officer, 1t ap-
pears TO me he must recognize gentlemen
n the order in which they asked for It.
10 recognize member out of his turn for
the purpose of enabling the friends of the
income tax bill to tack it on to the pending
measure would not only. in my opinion, be
UNJUST 10 gentlemen already on the list,
bill" " "A
IL was suggested that the objections urged
ps MT. outnwaite might be overcome by
arranglnS TO have gentleman already On
the nst oner the income tax bill as an
amendment.
SO IL might" he admitted, but do not
behsVe tnat any arrangement of that kind
has been effected"
Representative Cochran, who voted in the
committee OF ways and means against re-
porting the income tax bill. said this morn