The age-herald., 1900-05-30
DEMOCRATS HOLD
 IMPORTANT CAUCUS
Resolution Passed Demanding Reduction of War Tax.
WILL OPPOSE ADJOURNMENT
Until Some Action is Taken Toward Reducing the War Tax Which Has Caused Surplus in
 the Treasury

Washington, May 29-The democratic members of the house in the hall of the house tonight considered the trust ques- tion which is to be brought before the house during the next three days, and oth- CT subjects of legislation and party inter- est The caucus was attended by about 80 democrats. Mir. McRae of Arkansas act ed as chairman and MT. Cummings of New York, secretary.
 At the outset MT. Richardson of Tennes- see offered the following resolutions, ex- pressve of the party's attitude:
 ''Whereas, there is known to be large and growing surplus in the treasury over and above the necessities of the govern ment, arising from the taxes levied and collected under the war tax act of lS9S; therefore
 Resolved that we favor the reduction of the taxes provided for in said bill, and we do not think the present session ot congress should adjourn until said taxes shall have been repealed as to certain ar ticles, and reduced as to others until there is a total reduction in the aggregate of at least 50 percentum.
 ''We pledge ourselves at all times to sup port any measure or measures providing for such reduction"
 MT Levy of New York offered a substi- ute, protesting against congressional ad- journment until action has been taken to reduce or repeal the war revenue taxes. Mir Richardson supported his resolution in a brief speech. Mr. Levy's substitute was thereupon defeated and the Richard son resolution adopted without division.
 Tine Trust Question
 The trust question was then taken up, MT Ball of Texas presenting resolutions favoring an adverse vote on the antitrust constitutional amendment and a favorable vote on the proposed democratic antitrust substitute bill. The resolution further pro- vided that in the event of the defeat of the substitute, support would be given to the antitrust bill as reported.
 The resolution brought out extended de- bate and considerable difference of opinion as to the manner of dealing with the trust issue. In the course of the discussion MT. Salmon of New Jersey ntimated that with out reference to the action of the caucus he would favor the constitutional amend ment. The democratic members of the ju- dietary committee, Messrs. Terry, DeAr- mond, Lenham and others favored action along the lines of the Ball resolution. The
 
 minor amendments. As to the substitute antitrust bill, the resolution states:
 We believe that the adoption of these drastic measures will demonstrate the power of congress to destroy combinations, monopolies and the construction of capital called trusts Should the substitute fail of adoption the resolution then provides for supporting t--e antitrust bill reported by the majority. As to this measure, the reso- lution says:
 'While not satisfactory to the democratic minority, and not likely to remedy the trust evil, this bill does make an effort toward harassing and outlawing these enemies of the public and democrats are not willing to vote down any measure tending to that end"
 The resolution further urges democrats to vote against the constitutional amend ment unless -. be so amended as to leave the states unhampered in enacting anti trust laws.