The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-19
COMPROMISE TO
RAISE REVENUE
Suggested Agreement by Both Parties
for Temporary Relief.
SENATOR SQUIRES fATHERSA SCHEME
Sherman and German to Take the
Initiative to Avoid Crisls..An
Extra Session Is Not Wantcd.. More
Cash Is Necessary..AJ Joint Caucus
Proposed.

New York, Nov. S.--When the diners
at the Chamber of Commerce banquet
last night cheered to the echo the sug-
gestion of Bourke Cochran that rev.
enue measure framed to meet the gov
ernment's deficit might be passed in
congress this winter after agreement
by an informal conference of the Dem
Ocratic and Republican leaders, the
speaker and his enthusiastic hearers
did not seem to be aware of the fact
that such u plan is already under way.
Mr.. Cochran suggested the names Of
Postmaster General Wilson and Chair
man Dingley, of the house ways and
means committee. as the proper repre-
sentatives of the two parties who might
get together and agree upon bill
to increase Uncle Sans income. But
the plan actually under consideration
at present has to do entirely with the
upper branch of congress, and makes
Senators Sherman and German, the
chairmcn of the Republican and DEM
ocratic caucuses, respectively, the
leaders who are to put their heads to-
gether and rescue the government from
it's present unfortunate condition.
AS is well known the complexion of
the senate at present is such that no
party has control of it. So that 1t is
mouted question whether or not any
kind of tariff bill could be passed with
out some kind of a "gentleman's agree
ment." Such high authorities as Sen
ator Aldrich and other members OF the
senate finance committee are quoted as
saying that the Dingley bill has not the
ghost of a show of becoming law.
ORIGINATOR OF COMPROMISE.
The author and originator of the pro-
posed compromise in the interest of an
increased income for the government
is Senator Watson G. Squres. OF the
state of Washington, a clear-headed
and prominent business man of the
west After weighing the project in
its various phases, he talked with Sena-
tor Sherman about it The latter took
very kindly to it. Next, Mr.. Squires
went to Senator German, VINO also
looked favorably upon the proposal.
1t developed upon inquiry that other
senators in both parties were IN SYM
pathy with such a course. during the
past week some half dozen or more sem
ators have been in the city, among
them being Sherman. Hawley, Lodge,
Gray Brice and German. 1t is known
that several of these have discussed the
proposed plan and are heartily IN ac-
cord with it.
The idea is for the leaders of the two
parties to agree in caucus upon GER
tain articles that they will be willing to
put tax upon. For example, the pres
ent government deficit Is about SloO.-
DOO. COO n year. The Republicans would
agree upon tariff schedules. increasing
Uncle Sans revenues $2O.0OO,OO0. The
Democratic senators would get TO-
gether and do likewise. Both caucuses
would then come together and agree
upon the third S2O,OOO,O0O, thus making
an advance in the government receipts
of at least $60,O000OO. And this, with
the increased revenue that would come
because of the abnormal business boom
would relieve the treasury and wipe
out the deficit, leaving the whole mat
ter to be taken up and disposed of, as
is proper. by the Flfty-ffth congress.
The advantage of this plan Is that it
does away with long and acrimonious
discussion of protection and free trade
and prevents any possible veto on the
part of the president We're a strictly
party measure to be sent to him for
his signature. Then, again, 1t gives in
creased revenues at once, and cuts off
any failure of congress to legislate on
the subject. Lastly, it does away with
an extra session, the bane of the busi-
ness world.