Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1902-02-04
WAR TAX REDUCTION
A REPORT FRAMED
Tariff and Cuban Questions Brought
Into Committee Deliberations.

Washington, Feb 3.-The ways and
means committee OF the house by n
unanimous vote today ordered Il favor
able report on the war tax reduction
bill. \ surprise occurred when Repre-
sentative Babcock republican, offered
his bill largely reducing the duties on
the steel schedule and placing some ar
ticles on the free list as an amendment
to the tea repeal section. The amend
ment was defeated by to :. Messrs.
Babcock, Tawney and all the democrats
voting in the affirmative. The Cuban
reciprocity question also came UP IN
expectedly, Representative Steele of In
diana moving n % per cent concession
on Cuban sugar. The motion was with
drawn. however. after brief exchange
OF comment.
The clOseness Of the vote on Mr.. Bah
cocks amendment reducing the steel
schedule caused much comment.
Messrs. Newland and Cooper, demo-
Gratis, and Messrs. Long and Hopkins,
republicans. We're absent. 1t was ex-
planned on behalf of the absent mem
bers that they were either out of the
city or We're detained on important
committee meetings elsewhere ard Mr..
Babcock's motion was entirely unex-
pected.
The motion Of Mr.. Steele for 25 per
cent reduction On Cuban sugar was re-
Eardei as rather iacetious and as a re-
joinder to the unexpected motion on the
steel schedule. Repres sentative Robert
son OF Louisiana. who opposed the re
duction on Cuban sugar. was among
those who voted for the Babcock
amendment. Following this. Mr.. Steele
made his motion. and a sharp but good
Messrs. Steele and Robertson. The lat
ter suggested that If any motion on
sugar was to be made Mr.. Steele should
broaden his proposition so as TO include
raw and refined sugars. placing them
all on the free list. Mr.. Steele did not
press his motion. however. and after
its withdrawal the incident was looked
upon as humorous rather than
serious move toward dealing with the
Cuban question.
Both the majority and minority re-
ports were fled on the repeal bill
The majority report says the prob
ability of an early withdrawal of the
troops from Cuba and the reduction of
the force in the Philippines vii! iralze
further reductions possible. ana il also
reviews the condition of the treasury.
In conclusion. the majority report says:
1t cannot be denied that large
surplus furnishes temptation for c1--
travagant expenditure. While con
gress may generally be relied upon to
keep the national expenses within rea-
sonable bounds. it should be relieved
from the pressure which comes with
plausible schemes from every quarter
to raid an overlooking treasury.
The minority report approves the pro
posed reductions. but asserts that it
should nave been made long ago. 1t
also advocates Il general revision of
tariff taxation, with q retention Of
taxes on accumulated wealth. There
IS q general denunciation of the Ding
ley law as the mother of trusts. and
the report says it enables manufa ctu-
rers TO charge a far greater price to
home consumers than is received abroad
for the same goods. which is charac-
terized as plain robbery"
The minority report adds: While
approving the general policy of repeal
ing war taxes. we insist that certain
taxes on accumulated wealth should
be allowed to remain. We refer to such
taxes as are imposed on sugar and pc
troleum refiners. \ tax of one-fourth
OF one per cent on the annual gross