New-York tribune., 1909-04-17
HAVE No TARIFF POLICY
Democratic Senators 1gaiR Fail to
Reach agreement.
From The Tribune Bureau-l

FTDru
Washington April ls.-' Everything was harmon
,cus very harmonious indeed" said Senator Cul-
berson, the minority leader, at the close of the
Democratic caucus on the tariff to-day Mr- Cul-
berson spoke tru.hfuIs but emitted TO explain that
the complete harmony was due TO the fact that
n serious effort was made commit the members
as a party to united action anything.
It was expected that at to-day's caucus there
would be an animated debate concerning the course
which the minority should pursue on lumber,
hides sugar and like articles produced IN the
South But the division in the Democratic ranks
on the measure Of protection which these products
shs N have Is so sharply defined that 1t feared
there would be of serious proportions II any
effort should be made to adopt a hard and fast
agreement at the caucus.
There was a long discussion of a proposed amend
ment 10 the tariff bill providing for the taxation of
Stock Exchange transactions. committee was
appointed investigate this subject and to report
to the caucus at later date. The suggestion that
minority prepare substitute tarH Dill old hot
meet with approval
1T doesn't look as II We could agree on a tariff
policy" said a Democratic Senator tonight. We
have had long caucuses and nearly everybody
has made tariff speech We have practically
agreed to favor some form of income tax and have
taken steps to provide for taxation Of futures
Neither tax can be regarded a tariff tax or
course have adopted a general programme IoI
,igt, 57-ies on Injuries and duties neCesSl-
tics but as each of US is permitted 10 define what
Is luxury and what is 8 necessity. doubt If we
have made much progress in committing the party
10 a tariff policy that has any more basis than
sound
Senator Rayner. in a long speech, severely criti-
cised his colleagues for their devotion 10 the ne
publican protection heresy.
Senator Daniel the ranking minority member OF
the Finance Committee. will make effort on
Tuesday to outline what he considers the Demo
cratic position on the tariff bill He does not expect
~ sneak more than two or three hours. He may
,,eriU his argument on Monday. providing Senator
aldriCh does not become involved r long contro-
yersv growing out of his explanation of the Finance
Committees substitute for the Payne bill a meet
Ing q, the Finance Committee Will oe held Monday
morning when Mr.. Aldrch will submit his state
ment on the revenue producing qualities OF the
Senate bill
Senator Bailey will not b. permitted to snare All
the glory Of proposing an income a means
of increasing the treasury receipts Senator cum
minis has completed The draft of an income tax
amendment ard will offer it Monday He has
had the assistance of Senator Borah in the pTepa-
ration of the amendment. II provides for a grad
mated ta- on individual incomes in excess Of 5000
year The Bailey amendment provides for fat
tax OF per cent year individual and corporate
incomes in excess of $500 Mr.. Cummns holds
that as all corporate incomes eventually become
individual incomes. it IS easier and simpler 70 eN-
ernpt corporations from taxation. Many OF the
Democratic Senators believe that ultimately the
Cunr7ins amendment will be supported by the en-
tire minority many OF whom prefer graduated
tax, and by considerable number of Republicans