New-York tribune., 1909-04-15
TO PRESS INCOME TAX
SENATE MINORITY PLAN.
Many Supporters of Protection in
Democratic Caucus.
From The Tribune Bureau. !

Washington. April 1.-The Democrats of the Sen
ate met in caucus this afternoon TO discuss the
minority partys progrs smme the tariff question.
Nearly two dozen speeches were made. Of
them being in defence OF that time-honored prin-
ciple Of Democracy, tariff for only
Everybody for the time honored principle in
the abstract. and almost everybody against II
in the concrete. After discussing lumber, hides,
sugar and other products of The South. and finding
that principle Of protection had a host Of sup
porters below the Mason and Dixon line, it
decided TO have another caucus Friday.
The net result of to-day's caucus agree
ment TO support the Bailey amendment for in
come tax. This amendment will be offered to-
morrow by the Texas Senator. II provides for
tax OF per cent on incomes over S0no per annum-
Mr. Bailey spoke length to-day in explanation
O, this amendment, and said that would yield
about sao coo GO revenue per annum- The Demo
Gratis united in their support of this amend
nent and are expecting half dozen more Re
publicans to join them in urging its adoption Mr..
Bailey Will make his principal tariff speech on his
income tax amendment and will argue that its
adoption will make possible the material reduction
Ct many customs duties.
The caucus lasted from o'clock until $50 o'clock
hut i would have been long past midnight before
II closed had an effort been made 10 commit the
minority party 10 hard and fast rule on particu-
lar schedules. Much of the discussion this after
noon was on Senator McIaurin's motion that the
Democrats agree 10 favor higher duties on luXurles
and lower duties on necessities. This motion was
adopted.
With one or two exceptions the Democratic SEN
stors favor a duty lumber Many Of them want
-Ie = lumber rate Of the Dingley act retained
They realize however. that Il may not be good
politics for them 10 on record as party III
favor of higher lumber tariff than is proposed by
-he Republicans. This question Will he discussed
further at Fridays caucus.
There is a sharp division in the ranks of the
minority as TO the duty hides The Texas Sen
stors and others favor Is per cent rate OF the
TGnglev law, and their slogan is: No free hloeS
unless We get free shoes and free leather Sen
s.or NcIaurin referred 10 the hides tax IN MS
czech today. and said he would not favor duty
On hides unless the smaller skins. which are iree
,inder The DinEley act, are made dutiabIe-
The Democratic Senators say there VIII oe HO
flauster on the tariff bill They Will be ready 10
o-es5 m Monday TO the discussion of the substi-
t,lte for the Payne bin. -
-r,,e tariff programme IN the Senate VIII pe uis
c7,ssed At meeting Of the Finance CofnHll''ee "
morrow morning If an agreement is reached 'a'
The Senate shall adjourn tomorrow until MondaH
I. * proable that the daily sessions VIII besin a.
10 O'Clock and last until O'Clock DEBATE on liie
Democratic side will be opened by Senator Daniel
the ranking minority member of the Finance Com
rl7it1ee who says he viii be prepared 10 ADDRESS 'e
Senate not later than Tuesday
All the Democratic Senators attended TO-DAY 5
caucus. except Senators Newlands. Clarke, OF Az
kansas: Davis Bankhead Tillman and Paynter,
Great dependence is placed by SenaJe leaders IN
the work being done by ex-senator HemenWay on
behalf OF the new Senate Committee Public EH-
EendtureS. Information is being collated hY MN
which will be used in pairing down annual appro-
rlriations. is reported that Mr.. Hemenway will
recommend q reduction OF about SS5,eeoc00 from the
Sl5aa9o0pl Of permanent funds and that = like sum
NAY be pruned from the regular annual approprl-
ations for the various executive departments.