Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
Income Tax Monday.

uon authorizing the imposition OF an IN
come tax.
This agreement is equivalent to a declara-
ton that the senate will proceed with its
business on the fifth OF July, despite the
observance OF the holiday everywhere else.
The senators were slow in gathering to-
day, and much time was consumed In &C
quiring a quorum. Senator Aldrich was in
his seat at the beginning of the session,
but most of the leaders of the fight against
his corporation tax amendment were not
so prompt in attendance. As soon as the
routine business permitted, Mr.. Aldrich
called up the tariff bill, but before any
progress could be made, Senator Brown
took the floor to press his Income tax
proposition. He asked that a vote be taken
Immediately, but encountered opposition
from various quarters, Senator McLaurtp
being especially a~ntagonistic. After con-
siderable debate, the Nebraska senator
agreed to postpone action and presented
the propositlon for a vote on Monday
There was no especial objection, and the
vote was accordingly ordered.
Brown Urges Haste.
Mr.. Brown urged immediate action, es-
pecially because, as he said, II should reach
the house before the tariff bill is taken
back to that body.
Senator McLaurin said he saw no ne
cessity for such en- amendment, whlch
would defer the enactment of an income
tax law. He thought probably one-rourth
of the states would decline TO ratitY this
action by congress, and argued that there
after when such legislation was sought
the failure Of the states to Tratfy the
amendment would be used as an srgu-
mem against 1t.
AS soon as the agreement to vote was
made the tariff bill was taken up n 3Mr.
Aldrich presented his maximum and mimi
mum rate amendment.
MI. Aldrich Immediately proceeded to
explain the senate's substitute for the
original Smaxfrium and minimum provision
Of the bill as It passed the house. The
house provides for a specified increase of
the rates of duty on .nuTperous articles
liked by thea bill, no case OF the failure
OF the country from which any given
article should come. to grant to the i'm
ports from the United States the same
terms given ito importations from the most
favored nations. s..'
The senate committee on finance pre-
scented a complete substitute providing for
an Increase of '25 per cent over the rates
OF the Payne-Aldrich bill against coun-
tries which by export bounty or otherwise
discriminate against the United States.
The amendment provided that the ad-
dItional rate should go into effect imme-
diately unless the president should after
March 81. 1910, issue a proclamation that
no such discrimination exists.
Contains Discrimfnative Duty
The amendment also provided a duty Of
5 cents a pound on coffee and 10 cents a
pound on tea coming from the countries
thus discriminating against the products
of the United States. The measure as
previously reported by the finance COM
mittee was further amended to except the
islands of Guam and Tutulla, as we'll as
the Philippines, from it's operation.
Stating that he regarded this provision
as The most important part Of the tariff
bill, Mr.. Aldrich read a statement showing
the maximum and minimum laws OF other
countries. Since tina statement was pre-
pared, he said, France had adopted rates
that varied on an average OF 50 per cent.
Moving to strike from the amendment
the maximum tariff on tea, Senator Daniel
criticised the proposed legislation as au-
thorizing the president to make treaties
with foreign powers without submitting
them 10 the senate.
W men lLlo uiiicnuilchN 10 dBINcu w. nc
said. the senate is eliminated as a treaty
making power, so far as these commercial
matters are concerned. 1t is becoming
more and more common to eliminate the
senate from the exercise Of it's powers"
Daniels Amendment Agreed To.
Senators Nelson. Curtis and Root. speak
ing in favor of the elimination OF the duty
on tea and coffee, Mr.. Daniels amendment
to strike out that provision was accepted
by Mr.. Aldrich and agreed TO, Senator
Aidrioh agreed with Mr.. Root that there
was no necessity TO hold a club over the
countries that export these articles to the
United States.
Senator Culberson offered an amendment
4, to make nonpartisan the appointment OF
? the tariff commission and to pay the mem
bers salaries Of 1850 annually. Mr.. Aid
! rich said experts were to he selected and
he did not believe politics would be con-
sidered by the president in that connection
"From the morning papers," said Mr
Bailey, 1.-THE director of the census is
making his appointments for partisan rea-
sons. II that is true II is the first time
. II has been done in the history OF this
country" In view OF the report he said
, he would not trust the executive author
2 ity TO make the appointments without
some restriction. Mr.. Aldrich said he did
not believe census appointments were be.
ing made for political reasons.
u know the president Of the United
: States too well, he said. TO believe hi
would permit anything OF that kind"
Declaring the trend OF the times wa
toward nonpartisanship, Mr.. Root said
the very purpose sought by the Texas
. senator would be defeated by dividinl
r these appointments between republican,
and democrats. He pointed 70 the reeorC
T Of the president as q guarantee that h
e would not be influenced by partisan mo
lives.
We are united in our esteem for tn
o.