The sun., 1909-06-16
URGING SUPPORT FOR INCOME
TAX SUBSTITUTE.
II VIM Go 10 Senate To-day or To.morrey
Plans OF Democrats and insurgents
Upset--ReEulars Satisfied That the
Committee Amendments VIII Pass.

to tax the incomes OF individuals.
This message will remove all doubt OF
the Presidents support OF the two propo-
sitions mentioned. which the Senate lead
ers intend to offer as substitutes for the
Bailey Cummins tariff bill which proposes
to levy a tax at once on the incomes OF
both corporations and individuals.
II the MESA 90 is not sent in tomorrow
il will be sent to the Senate on Thursday.
Its effectiveness will be lost unless 1t
reaches the Senate prior to Friday after
noon. when according to previous ar
rangement vote on the Bailey Cummins
amendment will be taken.
1t has been agreed between President
Taft and Senator Aldrioh that proposal
to levy tax on what amounted to the
net earnings OF corporations should DO
offered in the Senate az an amendment
to the pending tariff bill. and the Presi-
dent expressed his willingness to assist
Mr.. Aldrioh in every possible way In
furthering the adoption Of this amend
nent, even to the extent Of sending a
special message. Subsequent to that
agreement the President and Mr.. Aidrioh
decided that an amendment to change
the Constitution SO as to permit the I'M
position OF o tax on the incomes OF indi-
yiduals should be offered also, and 1t Ia
understood that in his message MIR. TAFT
will urge the adoption OF this proposition
hat rolo flr0 rnrnnfat tlnn
earnings.
The knowledge that the President would
back up these two propositions In q mes
sage disconcerted the insurgent Republi-
can Senators who have been insisting that
the Bailey Cummins income tax amend
ment was bound to be adopted. Senator
Cummins told some Of his frisnds to-day
that he had not given up hope yet OF having
his amendment 60 through. but he ad-
mittea that several Republican Senators
who were on his list OF those who would
vote for tax on individual incomes had
been won over TO the other side. Senator
Bailey. MIR. Cummins's Democratic ally.
did not share in the faint hope which Mr.
Cumnins held out. He was credited with
expressing the belief to his confidants that
the is was up aud that che Finance Com
mittee, which Will offer the two amendments
mentioned. would be victorious as usual
The leaders OF the Republican regulars
are satisfied that their forces will carry
the day. Everything indicates that their
hopes and beliefs arc well founded and
that mere handful Of radical Republicans
will furnish the only help which the Demo-
orats will get in their effort to put an in
come tax law on the statute books. IL
was said around the Senate to-day that
Senator Cummins had begun to regret the
arrangement which he had made with
Senator Bailey to help the Democrats
carry out their platform pledge to assess
a tax on individual incomes' From a
party standpoint the credit-of enacting an
income tar law would 60 to the Demo-
cratic party, although individual Republl-
can Senators who would join the Demo-
Gratis would get some credit in their own
consti tuencies. The attempt OF Senator
Cunmins and some more radical Republi-
can Senate to help the Democratic party
has not served to improve conditions on
the Republican side Of the Senate except
In that it will enable some Senators Of
insur gent tendencies to regain good stand
ing in the party fold.
Senator Nelson Of Minnesota. who has
acted pretty consistently with the insur-
gent Republicans. offered to-day an
amendment to change the Constitution
90 as to permit the imposition Of tax on
individual incomes, and 1t Is assumed
from this that he will vote with the great
majority Of Republican Senators against
levying a tax on individual incomes at
this time and vote with them for the
proposed taxation of corporation incomes
and the provision to amend the Consti-
tuition.
It will require two thirds vote OF the
Senate and later on q two-thirds vote
Of the House to adopt the amendmen,
for submitting to the several States the
question OF changing the Constitution.
The Republican leaders are sincere n
Offering their proposal and wiz work
earnestly to get the necessary two-thirdi
in the Senate. 1t il expected that aftel
the direct income tax amendment has
been voted down the insurgent Republl'
cans and enough Democrats to give the
necessary two-thirds majority will vote
for q substitute proposition.
There are ninety -ons sitting memberi
OF the Senate out OF total constitutional
membership OF ninety-two. A two-thlrdi
majority Of this number is sixty-one. O,
one more than the entire Republican mem
bership.
Representative Lorimer OF Illinois,
who has been elected TO the Senate but
has not given up his seat In the House
has agreed to be sworn In, as q Senator
| II his vote Ia needed to help the Republi'
can leaders, but his entrance into tn.
Senate would be OF no material assist.
anoe on the income tax proposition, al
with the full membership OF ninety-twe
It would require sixty-two votes to giv'
the necessary two-thirds. still one NOR,
than the entire Republican membership
Mr.. Lorimcr included. That the ol.e vot,
necessary and perhaps = few votes Il
spare will be obtained from tho Demo
cratic side 10 not doubted.
II 10 expected that President Taft u
his message will urge that the taxation
OF the incomes Of corporations shall no
be limited In itA operation TO any shor
period such a. two yeara The Senat,
leaders arc working 90 harmoniously
with the President that Whatever he REQ
ommends ID almost certain to bo followet
BY them. The rate Of taxation on oorpo
ration incomes win bs Axsd probably .
. per osnt