Evening star., 1909-05-19
Position. Taken by Anti-InCome
fax Senators.
NR. ALDRIcH is TROUBLED
How to Head on the Threatened Re.
volt the Problem.
QUESTION FOR NEXT SESSION
Belief That Matter Will Get No
Further Than the Judiciary Com
mittee at This Session.

Senator Aldrich has a new furrOW IN
his brow these days twas ever poor
man SO bedevfled by the propensity of his
braves to jump the reservation?), occa-
stoned by the necessity of dealing with a
threatened revolt of republicans on the
income-tax proposition. Just when he
thinks he has his insurgents placated to
an extent on the question of lower rates
they must needs break out in another di-
rection and threaten to flop on the In
come tax.
The proposed combination of democrats
and insurgent republicans on a form OF
income tax amendment to the tariff bill
on the face of it seems to promise a CO.
alition strong enough to possibly give
bare majority to the plan. II everybody
are some "ifs" and lands and butts
In the situation which promise loopholes
OF escape to the republican leaders from
the humliating experience of being over
ridden by combination Of radical re-
publicans and democrats There's a
"good deal of trouble on the old man
mind
The best judgment Of conservative re-
publican leaders is that the income tax
provision will not be adopted as an
amendment to the pending tariff bill.
What action may be taken at the next
session of Congress on the subject OF an
income tax is another question. They
are confident. however, that the issue
can be put over until December when it
may be considered on its merits.
Not a Tariff Measure.
The plea which the leaders will make
to republicans, and which they think will
prevail with a sufficient number even of
those favorable to the general idea Of an
income tax, will he that an income tax
80 ..sv t. x.f
and parcel of the work In hand. namely,
the framing Of a tariff bin 10 raise reve-
nue. from customs duties and protect
American industries. 1t is a distinct eco
nomic proposition and was not recon-
mended by the republican platform under
which the republican party is proceeding
at this special session of Congress.
The republican leaders propose to SUD-
NIT the question Of the cOnstitutionallty
of the income tax to, the judiciary COM
mttee for report at the December ses-
sion. They believe that their western
colleagues, who favor the general theory,
can absolve themselves with their consti-
tuents by voting for the substitute. and it
is their opinion that this Will be the out
come of the income tax furry.
Party pressure will be applied to the
utmost to drive home this suggestion o:
the present inopportuneness OF the in
come tax amendment. Although undoubt-
edly germane to the tariff bill in parlia-
mentary practice, it will be declared not
germane in spirit and republicans will be
ex horted to separate it from the question
of protection to industries and the rais-
ing of revenue thereby.
Conservatives Are Puzzled.
The conservative republicans in the
Senate are at loss to understand the
readiness of their western colleagues to
fall in with a democratic proposition,
broader even than the democratic ma
tional convention would indorse. That
collection of rampant. radical elements
did not have the nerve to demand out
right of Congress the enactment of an
income tax law. That convention de-
clared:
I'VE favor an income tax as part of our
revenue system and we urge the submis-
sion of a constitutional amendment spa
officially authorizing Congress to levy and
collect a tax upon individual and cor
porate wealth." etc.
1t will be contended that demo-
cratic income takers will be more
in line with their own party plat