Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-12-15
WANTS GENERAL REVISION
President Presses His Tariff ard
Tax Views on Cong essmen.
MAY CALL SPECIAL StSSluN
Plan is to Get the Whole Matter Dis
posed of Before the Next Presi-
Dental Campaign.
speclal CORRESPONDENCE.

UCHttai 10tOPaiSHf
Special Correspondence.
Washington, ID. c., Dec. 13.-Within
"A few days, 1t has been borne upon
the minds OF members of congress
that President Roosevelt has in con-
temptation, not merely a readjust-
anent of the tariff, but q general re-
vision of the national system of taxa
aion. In discussion on the subject with
members of both the senate and the
house, he has impressed upon them
the idea that he hopes for a consid-
GRAFTON of the tariff. the inheritance
tax and the tax on incomes.
In tentative way, the president is
sounding congressman on the subject
with view to ascertaining what the
situation may be when he formally pre-
sents the matters to them for consid-
much encouragement, but in this con-
nection 1t Is curious to note what a
considerable figure selfish and special
interests cut in a matter of supreme
interest and importance to all the peo-
pie.
When the president presented his
views on the subject of an inherit
ance tax, many members of congress
expressed their cordial appreciation of
fhn IA hat
WAS the presidents idea that the tar
In question should be discussed in
connection with the inheritance and
income tax propositions, some of them
became lukewarm at once on the sub
ject of the inheritance tax They real
lied the strength of the presidents
position, as it is self-evident that, II
a large revenue is to be derived by the
government from taxes on incomes
and inheritances, there will be less
need for the customs drties levied I'M
der the Dingley tariff. The logicai
thing for congress to do, therefore, |
would be to readjust the customs du.
ties to the necessities of the govern
ment. Such readjustment naturally
would mean the lowering of the du-
lies.
What congressman may think about
the general proposition is not so i'm.
portant as what they might do. That,
eventually, they will carry out the
presidents plans is probable. but not
yet certain.
Both at the White House and at the
Capitol hundreds of endorsements of
The presidents plan of taxation have
been received and additional endorse
ments are coming in by every mail.
Such a wave of popular sentiment is
likely to weaken the opposition mate
rally and to induce weakened con-
gressmen to join the president rather
than take the risk of being left high
and dry. "-'
In the next few weeks a determine.
ton will be reached as to the nature
of the action TO be taken 1t, of course.
is not probable that congress will take
up the subject of taxation seriously at
the present session. The generally &C
cepted idea is that, il u is to be con-
sidered at all before the next presiden-
tial campaign, it must be passed upon
at an extraordinary session of the new
congress to be held next spring.
Should it the postponed until next De-
cember, it scarcely could be disposed
ed before the beginning Of the national
campaign. Whatever disposition might
be made of it then would be certain
10 prove embarrassing to the party in
power.
A strong disposition is manifest
among the stand-patters TO postpone
the whole subject until after the cam
paign of 1905 This, il IS pointed out,
would afford an opportunity for the
people at the national convention, to
pass upon the matter, thus determin-
ing with dehniteness whether or not
they want any action. The subject. OF
course, would be a live issue through
out the campaign and, in the end, will
be passed upon at the polls.
The presidents closest friends be-
lieve. however. that he will be able
TO induce congress to take action on
the subject next year AMI it is said by
them, that he proposes 70 work to tha
end. The indications are, therefore
that the conferences in the committee
rooms and at the White House thu.
winter will be deal more interestin'
and important than the open session
of either the house or the senate
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