The Washington times., 1909-02-09
Democrats Will Urge This
Alternative as a Reve-
nue. Measure.
BELIEVE THE PLAN
WILL BE POPULAR
Republican Proposition Is to Add
TO Duty on Tea, Coffee,
and Beer.

By J. c. WELLIVER.
A great struggle in both practiced
politics and constructive statescraft is
to be precipitated by the Democrats
when, In the course Of the tariff con-
slderation. they will formally move to
insert income and inheritance tax pro-
visions, in order TO raise revenues and
meet the deficit caused by the revision,
without imposing duties on cofTee and
tea, and additional internal revenue bur
dens on beer.
This, il is learned on high authority,
IS the great proposition which Champ
Clark and his associates in Democratic
leadership are preparing TO put up TO
the Republicans in the House
They have been canvassing the stu
alton with great care. They know that
real revision means a considerable re-
duction in the customs revenues, which
must aggravate the present serious def
iciL That situation has been taken sd-
vantage OF by standpat interests, who
argue that it is impossible 10 adopt a
deficit tariff when there is already
dehcit.
Real revisionlsts among the Repubn.
measures, embracing 6-cent per pound
tax on coffee. a Decent tax OF tea, and
an increase from 81 to = in the internal
revenue tax on beer per barrel
Such Tax Unpopular.
The Democrats, believing that the tax
on the breakfast table IS thoroughly un-
popular with the country and wrong in
principle and believing also lisat the
country is more than ever in favor Of
the income ana inheritance taxes; and
having the Endorsements which Presi-
dent Roosevelt has repeatedly given 10
those propo sitions-the Democrats pro-
pose to make their big fight for substI-
tuition of these new taxes, instead OF
taxing the breakfast table and Ihe beer.
On this issue they are getting ready to
meet defeat, If necessary. and then take
their case TO the country ia the next
Congr esslonal election. They believe
that they have the Republicans hope
lessLy in a hole" on this proposition.
They are making plans with the utmost
care. and Republicans VINO know what
/ Is going on are frankly worried about
/ the situation
Republicans in Trouble.
The Republicans face the most diff
/ cult situation that probably ever con
/ fronted the makers OF tariff bill. On
/ one side the country is demanding re-
/ vision that shah be effective, It seems
/ deaf TO appeals based on the explana-
/ ton that the revenues are already in
/ sufficient. 1t has got its mind made up
! TO revision, and insists without any
i modification or concession.
| on the other side stands the fact Of q
| deficit already large. and certain to be
/ increased If fundamental tariff princi-
/ pies are changed in the revision.
/ New methods of raising revenue must
| be devised. How to do il is the ques-
/ ton. The Republican leadership does
/ not want the income and inheritance
/ taxes. There IS a strong faction which
! would support them, but il ig not in
| authority or control
What Alternative Is.
! TIE alternative is imposition OF rev
/ enue duties OF the sort most certain TO
be offensive TO the people. The PROPOSE
! lions now rather definitely worked out
/ by the Republican man gers, TO meet
the revenue situation, are:
/ TO impose q tax OF cents on
/ coffee, which il is estimated
| would produce annually ap-
Or 1NImately --.--...-.---..-....S 80, 900. 90
To impose a tax OF 10 cents
on Tea, producing. -. 1oOOo,OO
/ To increase from 81 10 g the
internal revenue tax on beer,
per barrel, producing. 100000,
Total increase in sight. 100000
Row. the Democratic position is sinpIy
this: Taxes on coffee, tea, and beer arc
peculiarly Objectionable to practically
all the people.
Taxes on incomes and inheritances are
popular with the vast majority OF
people. If the Democrats can get the
popular side, and, as they finally ,n.
sist, also the right side. and make tn
most OF 1t, they can gain an afvsntaR,
/ which may result in almost any pOliti-
cal gain to them.
Looking Toward 1910.
Not only are they looking 10 the Con
gressional election OF 1910 with the hone
OF carrying the House on this issue
but they have the Presidential election
Of 1872 in their minds eye They be-
lieve the time is ripe for pressing tho
income and inheritance taxes as Iegis.
iatiye proposals. The Supreme Court
II Is pointed out. has undergone changes
tn ats membership since the origina
income tax decision was overturned b.
/ a divided court standing to l.
There has been vast deal Of effOr
70 figure out where the present bencl
would stand on that same measure
But 81 is proposed in introducing
new income tax measure, TO be guide,
so far as possible by the experience o
! the former one, and TO avoid the Dit
falls or unconstitutionality there en-
/ COuuteTcd.
The men who are making a study o
the question-and II is being made b.
the sbiest Democrats. from the political
the revenue, and the constitutional side
believe they VIII succeed I'm framing
satisfactory measure which Will be ~
far different from the former one a
TO give the Supreme Court ample eX
cuse for cOncediug something TO publi
opinion and holding it constitutional
Just as Much Care.
The inheritance tax proposition is be
ing studied with just as much care
There are special difficulties in it's wa
because it tends 10 conflict with inheri