The Washington herald., 1909-04-17
DEMOCRATS UNITE
AS TO TARIFF BILL
Party in Senate to Agree on
Revision Downward.
CULBERSON MAKES STATEMENT
Long Meeting Ia Held I'm the office
of the Texas Senator for Discus
sion OF the Measure-AII Members
Heartily Favor the Bailey Amend
ment for an Income Tax.

The Democrats are not trying to hold
their members in the Senate TO a party
vote except on general provisions in the
fariff bill. and for a general revision
downward.
This announcement was made yesterday
after Senator Culberson and the Dem
ocrats had held a meeting in his Office
and discussed the Aldrich bill for more
than two hours
The meeting was marked by harmony.
and when it adjourned. all the members
OF the minority expressed themselves as
highly pleased with the outlook They
deny there has been any friction in their
ranks. and assert that upon no question
are the members more in accord than
they are on their policy toward the re-
vision Of the tariff.
All the members are heartily in favor
Of the Bailey amendment for an income
tax of per cent on all incomes of more
than 5000. and it is not expected that d
single Democratic vote will he cast
against It. Senator Bailey said yesterday
that he had received pledges from
twelve or fifteen Republicans who Will
support his amendment. and that he does
not believe that it win be defeated.
Fifteen Votes Needed.
With the thirty-one Democrats now
members Of tie Senate. the minority
needs fifteen Republican votes to make
a majority. and the Democratic leaders
are expressing confidence they viii have
s,1a - -s.- 81.
This amendment was discussed again yes
terday. and although Senator Bailey was
absent from the meeting on account Of
private business. there were several
speeches made in it's behalf
Other Democrats VINO were absent from
the meeting were Bacon. Davis. Clarke
Of Arkansas. Tillman. Taliaferro. smith
Of South Carolina. and Martin. II was
said however. that the ahsentees were IA
accord with their party. and the fact that
they were not present caused no criti-
cIsm.
The Democrats favor a stamp tax. and
yesterday a committee was named 10
draw this prc,ision. tt will be considered
az a meeting the first OF next week.
Senator Cummins will introduce an
amendment Monday providing for an in
come tax on all incomes of more than
$4,000. While fl has not been announced
officially. il is said this will provide for
a sliding scale Of taxation. beginning VITA
? per cent on the lower incomes and rang
ing as high as 4 per cent His amend
ment Will differ from the Bailey amend
ment. In that il will not subject cor
pOrations 10 taxation on incomes or divf-
dends.
The Cummlns proposition was not IN
1erstood by the Democrats yesterday. ard
none OF them We're prepared 10 say II II
would be supported If the Bailey amend
ment fails. It is the plan. however. 10
stand by the amendment Of the Texas
Senator. as this viii be the party action.
ne being the ranking Democrat on the
Committee on Finance
Radicals Favor Tax.
The radical Republicans in both Houses
# Congress are strongly in favor OF tax
ng the larger incomes, and it IS believed
hat if the question is put 10 a vote II
viii be carried There was some talk yes
terday TO the effect that the Republican
leaders have realized this. and that they
would not fight the amendment. but the
report was not confirmed BY Senator
Aldrich or Senator Hale Both Of these
said they had not heard OF any such
movement
II is regarded in some quarters as Ger
talh that President Taft will give his
support 20 an income tax law pronerl,-
drawn. With this belief as the basis se,..
eral OF the Democrats IN the Senate are
going 10 visit the White House vvitbin
the next few days and bring the matter
up IN conference
In speech I'm Cincinnati last sunor,er
and also In his inaugural address the
President referred Arieny to an income
lax law, and other public statements he
has made lead many members of Con
gress to believe that he viii support such
measure II he thinks il is drawn So as
TO pass the Supreme Court.
Duty on Hides Urged.
Sentiment seems 10 be growing stronger
in the Senate IN favor Of a duty of N nor
cent ad valorem on hides. The House
oil placed hides on the free list but so
much pressure has been brought IN hear
upon the members Of the upper branch
OF Congress that II is believed the dirty
will be restored. Il was said YESTERDAY
that members Of the House who favor
the duty OF 81 thousand on rough lum-
e', anu uie uuty OF = cents bushel on
barley, would be willing to accent rbe
duty or 10 per cent OF. hides in order 10
carry their point If this combination is
effected, il will cut into the free hides.
strength IN the House considerably. and
II is thought the House conferees wouId
oe Tree TO grant the concession
Inc Democrats are goings TO hold an
other meeting on Monday morning. and
then II may be decided what action they
VIII take on some OF the schedules. AS
yet they have reached no agreement as
o individual provisions. and. in fact
have not discussed anything i'm caucus
except the general provisions.
Senator CulbersOn said yesterday that
the caucus was not even binding on tbs
members, and that they simply hold their
meetings TO feel the pulses Of the mem
oers and determine the sense Of the partv