New-York tribune., 1900-12-03
OPPOSITION 10 CHANCES.
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE OF THE
HOUSE WILL PROBABLY BE SLOW
IN ACTING.
IBT rrLreRAPH 10 TIE gKIBUNE.l J

Washington, Dec 2.-Plans for reducing by
legislation the annual Treasury surplus nave
become within the last two days decidedly
wagner ana more confused. When Chairman
Payne and several others Of the Republican
members Of the House Ways and Means Com
rnittee assembled here, a week or ten days ago
IL was confidently predicted that bill making
a cut Of S30lO00,0O0 in the revenues would be
ready for passage in the earliest stages Of the
session. The Secretary Of the Treasury and the
Commissioner OF Internal Revenue appeared be-
fore the Ways and Means Committee and rec
commended various reductions in the internal
revenue taxes laid by the emergency act Of
1898. II was announced with more or less au-
thority that most Of the stamp taxes would be
abolished and that the additional imposts on
tobacco and beer would be left practically un-
touched
The newspapers were filled with the alleged
details OF the Commuters tax reduction scheme,
and II was stated hat the bin would be in shape
70 be submitted 10 the Democratic minority at
the first regular meeting OF the full committee
next Tuesday. Such announcements had the
natural effect OF arousing the Interests which
had been overlooked in the proposed reductions
10 vigorous action. The brewers and the to-
bacco manufacturers, who pay extra imposts
under the emergency revenue law, were stimu-
project by which the burdens imposed two years
ago were TO be scaled unequauy, and the result
OF this demand for impartial treatment IT, the
new measure has been seen in the disposition
of members reaching town in the last few DAYS
10 urge the Ways and Means Committee leaders
10 present no final plan Of reduction until a full
and free exchange Of sentiment can be had in &
Republican caucus
The Ways and Means Committee has there
fore. decided 10 slew up in its zeal 20 push a
reduction measure through the House before
the first week Of the session is over. A caucus
VIII doubtless be called before il is decided what
share OF the present taxes shall be lifted, and
what interests 10 be left unrelieved Of erner-
eeney imposts. So far sentiment in the House
seems 70 run toward a reduction Of some sort
the extreme limit being set at S25O0Oo 600 or
SS0OOOOO0 But there are many members whose
interest in legislation OF this sort is lukewarnn.
ana who doubt seriously whether any partial
reduction OF taxation would be worth while If
II Is TO give rise &c political friction OF is TO con-
sumo time which might be used on measures OF
greater urgency ana importance.
IN TIE Senate, In which, after all most financial
aao revenue legislation takes its definite and
maj FORM much lass interest is felt In the ones
ton OF cutting into the Treasurys present sur
plus Senator Aldrieh, chairman Of the Com
mittee On Finance. is disposed to take the con-
servative view that a mere shading Of tbA sr,sr
seney duties, though il might afford a slight re
LEI TO certain interests would be OF no per.
snehent dement, 20 the public or the Treasury
Mr. Alarleh has been quoted as holding ma
any revision attempted should be carefully snf
thoroughly planned, and not a mere tenoporsrT
[nekeshlrt 10 Keep down the Treasury's incoms
Tor the next year or two
senators who faVor the passage Of the Mica,
raguan Canal bill the Payne-Hanna subsiS,
oil ana an Army Reorganization bin, whici
VIII authorize the maintenance of an arv,,, :.
S9OOO or 100000 men, certainly DO NOT resn -
the revenue reduction bill as the most urgent n
this winter. II setms certain. therefore fbs,
while the House may be called on before ~,
noAoays 10 act on meas are 20 pare down ~
present surplus. the Senate viii not be Sis
posed te hurry through q measure Of this SCR
without careful revision. OF without consiSsr
ing an me interests affected by the emergepc-
legislation OF 1895 SN--'