Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-30
Members Of the Ways and Means
Committee Absent.
CONFERENCE With THE SPEAKER
increased Sentiment Favoring a
Caucus
SOME OPPOSITION SHOW n

The ways and means committee meeting
scheduled for tomorrow. at which the re-
publican members were to have submitted
20 the full committee the war tax reduc-
don bill upon which they have been work
ing, has been postponed. 1t was stated by
Chairman Payne that the unavoidable alb
sence of several republican members of the
committee made postponement of the meet
ing advisable.
As republican representatives come to the
city it becomes more apparent that there
are wide differences of opinion upon the
question of what articles should be favored
by reduction of taxation The ways and
means subcommittee has outlined its ideas
upon the subject in the bill whose general
provisions are pretty we'll known by this
time. but it may be found, it is minated,
that an influential element in the House
iavors reductions other than those pro-
posed by the committee.
There was q noticeable increase of sent-
ment today in favor of caucus, at least
1 conference of republican representatives
before the bill is reported to the House so
that whatever differences exist among re-
bublicans may be reconc!led in the political
family and not paraded in open House.
Strong representations in this direction have
OSSIl hlStuS, II - Seii, ~ SpedhcG
and to the leading republicans of the
ways and means committee. The Speaker,
Chairman Payne Mr.. Dalzel and Mr.. Bah
cock. who is prominently urged for ap-
pointment on the ways and means COM
mittee, were in conference in the Speakers
room today but the gentlemen mentioned,
when asked the nature of the talk. said it
was merely general discussion of the leg
islaiive outlook. No one of those inter-
viewed was aware OF the definite probabu-
lty OF caucus. saying it was for the mem
bers of the House themselves to decide
when all had reached Washington
The members of the subcommittee had a
conference alterward with Chairman AL
drich and Senator Allison of the Senate
finance committee concerning program
for pushing the legislation. No definite CON
clusion was reached.
Indications of Opposition.
Indications multiply that the ways and
means committee is to have rough Shedding
for the reduction bill. as 1t is at present
supposed to be constituted as some power
ful interests. it is c1aimed have been ignor-
ed in the makeup of the measure. There is
a desire on the part of many republicans
To avoid repetition of the experience
with the Porto Rican bill. 1t will be re-
called that the original ways and means
bill. was a free trade measure for which
was substituted later bill imposing a
tariff. Some republicans are now urging
'i'ni"oSh understanding upon the war
lax Dill before 1t is launched upon what may
otherwise be a stormy and risky passage
Other members decidedly opposed to a
caucus. and it is said the ways ard means
committee opposes the idea also
Committee Meetings.
The House appropriations subcommittee
continued work today on the legislative,
judicial and executive appropriation bill
Navy and Interior Department officials were
heard today. and good progress was made
upon the estimates
The rivers and harbors committee Of the
House, heard some Texas coast interests
upon proposed improvements about CAL
weston. .
ID The military affairs committee of the
House went to work upon the draft of the
army bill furnished by the War Depart