The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-15
SENATOR ALDRICH WILL
 EXPLAIN HIS MEASURE
Estimate of Revenues Is Most PuzzIing Part of Tariff Programme and No One Can Tell What
 Will Happen.
By wATTERsoN sTEALEY.

Washington. April 14-(Special. )-For over four hours today the Senate demo- crats were in conference on the Payne Aldrich tariff bill It was the first time the minority of the Senate had had an opportunity to confer together on the making of the new bill, and during the long session the explanations of it's pro visions by the democratic members of the finance committee were listened to atten- lively The conference was harmonious throughout. It was decided to solidly sup port the income tax feature and demand a reduction in the duties on the prime necessities of life. In addition there was little opposition to the proposition of mak- ing a motion to recommit the bill with instructions for a horizontal reduction of a percentage not yet decided upon but as has been stated in The Age-Herald will be probably 20 or 25 per cent.
 On the latter proposition some of the senators were in doubt owing to the fact that the republican measure contains a'ar- ing inequalities, which a horizontaff cut would not remedy. It was explained to them, however, that the republicans of the Senate cannot admit that their bill contains inequalities and therefore no re- publican criticism could lie against a horizontal reduction. It was decided, however that each senator will have full opportunity to offer such amendments on the floor of the Senate as in his judgment will perfect the bill. and after their adoption or rejection the horizontal cut proposition could be advanced. This course will, therefore, probably be fol- lowed by the minority
 Bailey's Amendment.
 Senator Bailey will tomorrow, acting on the judgment of the conference offer his income tax amendment. He will state that it is offered to invite discussion, and is of tentative nature. The senator has changed the old bill in several important respects. Instead of 2 per cent tax on incomes of S4O00 and over he has substi- tuted a tax of 3 per cent on S500O in- comes and over. The supreme court hay ing held unanimously that the tax on state, county and municipal bonds and the salaries of state officials was uncon- stitutional, Senator Bailey has exempted these from the provisions of the amend ment. The administrative features of the old bill are retained practically verba tim
 All of the democrats seem to be very
 
 ference and nothing occurred to war rant the dire predictions that the confer ence would partake of the nature of the democratic dissensons on the House side. In fact, considering the importance of the subject, there was a surprising de- gree of unanimity.
 Criticisms Made.
 In view of all the criticisms made of the tariff bill as amended by the finance committee of the Senate, particularly the observation that the bill will not produce sufficient revenues for the country's needs, Senator Aldrich will undertake on Monday to satisfactorily explain the revenue features of the measure. As tha democrats will ask that the bill lay over until Monday, MT Aldrich does not in- tend to make tomorrow the statement of which he has already given notice, but will present a far more elaborate argu- ment on Monday than he had intended. 1t will be pointed out that the estimate of revenues to be derived from the opera tion of the Payne bill made by the ways and means committee fall short of the actual possibilities of the meas ure. The Senate committee on finance had the benefit of the advice of the best experts in, the government service. and from an analysis which they made of the House bill. they predicted that the revenues W oud have been far greater un- der that measure than were estimated. These experts take the position also that the bill as amended by the Senate will raise a great deal more money than appears. and Senator Aldrich has nc changed his mind on the subject that no additional internal taxes will be required to supply the goverLments expenses. Great dependence is pleced by Senate leaders in the work being done by former Senator Hemenway, on behalf of the new Senate committee on public expenditures. Information is being collaborated by him which will be used in pairing fdown annual appropriations The Senate Headers have taken the position that governmental extravagance must cease and it is re- ported that MT. Hemenwayl will recom- mend reduction of about $35,OO0,0W rom the $150, 100000 of permanent funds and that like summary be kruned from the regular annual appropriation for the various legislative departmerfFs.