Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-12

that he would be in favor of abolish
ing the academy if these brutal prac-
tees could not be stopped. (Ap-
plause).
/ Wanger, Pa, who appointed Cadet
Boose. spoke in favor of a Congressional
investigation. He was not opposed to re
ceiVing any information the secretary of
war had on the subject or to the proposed
inquiry by the war department. but he
insisted that only Congressional inumrN
would satisfy the country. Such an in
vestigation would bring out the facts and
lead 70 action which would forever pre-
vent cadets from becoming the victims OF
haZing in the future.
Wanger said at the proper time he
would offer a substitute Tor the commit
tees resolution providing for an lnvesti-
CATION by a special committee of I'VE
members on the House who should have
the power to send for persons and papers
and if necessary proceed To West Point.
and that the committee should report
within 90 days.
Slayden. Texas. a member OF the mill
tary committees. expressed the opinion
that the reports concerning hazng at
West Point had been grossly eNaggera ted.
He said briggs reference 10 the Whitta-
ker case had been unfortunate. Whitta-
ker's career after he left the academy
had shown him to be unworthy of ere
dence.
Clayton, y. Y. who was himself a grad
uate Of West Point. defended the Mill
tary Academy. He said the record of the
feared no investigation. The son of Il
washerwoman and the son OF a million
aire We're on the same footing when they
entered the academy.
Hay. Va. favored q Congressional in
Vestigation because he believed an inves-
tigation would vindicate the academy and
the cadets.
In concluding the debate. HUI said he
had little faith in Congressional investi-
cations that of the war department. he
thought. would be much more searching.
1t was erroneous to believe that the army
was interested in shielding West Point
and he told of what had been done in the
last five years To stop hazing.
If the charges OF haZing should be
proved" said Hun. and the war depart
ment does not take steps to dismiss the
guilty ones from the academy, Congress
will. applause.
Managers resolution for a special COM
mittee of five to investigate the case was
then adopted without division and the
House Immediately went into committee
of the whole and took up the considera-
ton of the bill for the reduction OF th-,
war taxes. No arrangement about the
length Of general debate was made.
Paynes. y. y. chairman of the commit
tee on ways and means. who had charge
of the bill. opened the debate
Payne said that in reducing the reve-
nue. great care should be taken lest the
reduction cause deficiency. In re-
porting the pending bill the committee
felt as though they had gone to the
fartheSt limit in the amount of reduc-
ton with due regard to safety for the
future. The $4,000 600 remaining af-
ter the reduction proposed by the COM
mittee took effect would not equal the
extraordinary expenses sure to follow
as result of the Spanish war. Among
such expenses was the interest on the
bonds issued to prosecute the war
amounting to 100000 the increased
army which both sides admit should
amount to 100 600 men for the next two
or three years. This increase in ex-
penditure would amount at least to
500 0N. GOO The increase in naval ex-
penditures for equipment. together
with the pensions growing out of the
late war. would add to our eXpendi-
lures $4,000. 600 more.
Some members of the minority OF
the committee have proposed to
abolish all the war revenue and offer in
place thereof an income tax. OF course,
it is perfectly obvious to every think
ing man that this would cause an i'm
mediate deficiency in our revenues. 1t
would mean loss of 100000. 900. The
inactment of a new income tax law
would not furnish a dollar Of additional
revenue.
Another proposition has been by the
minority to abolish the entire addition
al tax upon beer. This would result
in an additional reduction of 1923 600. 900.
Certainly the tax upon beer should
never be wiped out until every other
vcatge of the war taxes is removed.
Payne received round of applause
when he concluded.
swanson. va. member Of the com
mittee on ways and means. followed.
making the opening argument and pre-
senting the views of the minority.
Swa nson said that the Democratic par
Is fully recognized the urgent neces-
sity for a reduction in the revenues
of this government; during four years
taxation had increased over $260,0oo 600
and that if this heavy burden was con-
tinued business and commerce would
seriously suffer. He expressed regret
that the Republicans had failed to
avail themselves of the present excel
lent opportunity to devise more just.
equitable and permanent system of
taxation. He said there should be a
reduction made now in the revenues
of at least $4,000 600 instead of $40
i, 100000.
/ swanson asserted llldl the Only per
sons benefited by large surplus in
the treasury were those who We're
seeking eXtravagant and unjust appro-
priations. the national banks that We're
DESTROYS of continuing the large gov
, ernmental deposits free of interest
and the bondholders who desired the
government to redeem their bonds AT
+ high and eXorbtant premium.
minority would move to recommit the
bill with instructions to provide for a
, reduction of at least $40, 900.
The Speaker appointed the follow
ing members to constitute the special
committee to investigate the alleged
''haZing of Cadet Boose at West
= pntan i,a 1.f