Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-06
(By Associated Press.)

tBy Associated Press)
W ASHINGTON, d. c., July 5.-The
w Fourth of July was the senate's s
busy day. From 10 o'clock
this morning until o'clock in the
afternoon the senators labored.
The day was devoted in the main
to the consideration of the administra-
tive provisions of the tariff bill and
to the Brown resolution providing for
the submission of an income tax con-
stitutional amendment to the state
legislatures.
Senator Rayner made a vigorous
fight against the customs court feature
of the administrative amendment. He
declared the court would be uncon-
stitutional because, while it dealt with
questions at common law, no provision
was made for trial by jury, which he
said every litigant at common law has
a right to demand.
The customs court provision occu-
pied the attention of the senate for
about three hours and ultimately was
accepted without division.
The proposed court is to consist OF
five members and is intended to super
sede the United States circuit courts
in customs matters.
Not since the tariff bill has come
into the senate has so much been ac-
complished within one day. Indeed,
when the sitting came to an end, lit
tie remained to be done. The principal
item still to be considered was the
tobacco tax, the figures on which had
not been completed by the committee
when the senate adjourned.
Drawback Feature Considered
Attention was given to the drawback
feature of the bill, relative to which
the finance committee made no recon-
mendation in addition to striking out
the house provision.
In the senate, however, several
amendments were made, some of which
were permitted, at Senator McCum-
ber's instance, to satisfy the grain
producers of the northwest.
A number of other minor amendments
were made and all the administrative
features were disposed of.
Early in the day the income tax
resolution of Senator Brown of Ne
braska was adopted. The resolution
submits to the state legislatures an
amendment to the constitution, pro-
viding Congress shall have power to
lay and collect taxes on incomes, from
whatever source derived, without ap-
portionment among the several states,
and without regard to any census or
enumeration"
Senator Aldrich hopes that the tariff
bill tomorrow will go from the COM
mittee of the whole to the senate. In
the senate proper it will receive brief
attention, and will then go to confer
ence
On motion of Mr.. Bacon, compensa-
ton of members of the customs court
were reduced from $4,000 to $1,000;
that of assistant attorney general
from $4,000 to $4,000; deputy assist
aft
$1,000; one attorney from $4,000 to
$4,000, and three attorneys from $4,000
to $4,000 per annum.
Cuban Treaty to Remain Intact
Additional amendments to the tariff
bill, which were accepted, provide that
nothing in the measure shall interfere
with the Cuban commercial treaty and
prescribe the methods by which the
president shall proceed in executing
the discriminating features of the
measure. This is simply re-enact-
ment of the countervailing duties of
the existing law.
Another amendment adopted allows
all American-owned logs on the Maine
and Minnesota borders to be sawed in
mills on the Canadian side without in
terfering with their free entry into
this country.
On motion of Senator McCumber, an
amendment exempting wheat, wheat
flour and flaxseed from the drawbacks
provision of the bill, and an amend
ment by Senator Overman allowing a
drawback on cotton ties when used
on cotton that is exported were
adopted.
Senator Aldrich explained there
would be laid before the senate a few
committee amendments providing for
a tax on vessels and a tobacco tax in
cluding leaf tobacco.
Senator Culberson declared the
Standard Oil company continues to re-
ceive drawbacks on cans 1t exports.
amounting to $1,000,000 year, and said
he would offer an amendment to corr
rect that condition
Income Tax in Senate
The senate resumed consideration of
the tariff bill, but after Mr.. Aldrlch
had presented the finance committees
amendment to the administrative feat
ures of the bill the resolution providing
for a constitutional amendment re-
garding an income tax was laid before
the senate with the understanding 1t
would occupy the attention of that
body until 10 o'clock, the time set for
taking the vote on 1t.
When Senator Browns constitutional
amendment was called up Mr.. Bristow
presented an amendment requiring the
election of senators by vote of the
people, Mr.. Aldrich followed immedi-
ately with the statement that when
the voting status should be reached he
would move to lay the amendment ON
the table on the double ground that it
was in violation of the unanimous
agreement and was not germane to the
original proposition.
Stone Chides Senators
Gliding the majority of the senate
with an act of piracy if it should APP
propriate the plank of the Democratic
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