The Washington herald., 1909-04-21

independent oil producers from fifteen
states are crowding the corridors and
committee rooms al the Senate side Of
he Capitol. trying to get a duty Of 90
Der cent ad valorem on petroleum and
IS products
The independents win appear before
he Committee on Finance tomorrow
morning. and place their contentious be
ore Senator Aldrich and his colleagues
Z is said rs representatives OF inde-
pendent producers have signifed their
intention Of attending the hearing, and
: IS believed there viii be fully $50 pres
ut.
The delegation is headed by Lewis EN-
~. Of Bradford. p, and he Is being
ssisted in leading the fsat by former
representative Thomas u. Philips. Of
New Castle. Pa, These two men are in
Fashington now. and believe they viii
able to have the products as well as
rude petroleum placed on the dutiable
st.
nay 0btAAA
In view OF the quandary in which the
enate leaders have found themselves. II
8 believed the Independent oil men viii
e able to force a small duty on their
3 rodUcts. but II is not thought they viii
2 successful in getting as high a duty
45 per cent II was said yesterday
t1at some Senators had agreed to sup
ort an amendment Of = per cent. II Ger
ain other concessions were granted.
The oil men are forming a combine
nth the members who want the duty
estored on hides. and it was said yes
erday that a half dozen Western Sena-
ors interested in the hide schedule had
ledged their support
Another source to which the oil men
ok for support is the Republican mem
eTs VINO want an inCOme-tax provision.
While the Democrats. naturally. wiz fight
81 ny attempt 70 restore the duty on oil.
ne Republicans almost unanimously IA
ar such step, and willingly Joined the
Oh men in their fight. Il Is said
Say Free oil FavOrs Standard.
Contrary 10 hrst announcements. free
ii. It is said. is highly in favor Of the
Standard Oil Company, and the indie
pendent men had rather pay a duty than
1ave the giant monopoly import its crude
and products OF petroleum
rom the fields OF Mexico and Russia. II
he present scheme is carried 10 a sue
-esSIul end. the Standard company can
-ot bring in its products from foreign
-oUntTies and compete with smaller con-
ems. On the other hand. Il is said the
lumber of Independent men who refine
oil On Be counted on ones fingers.
Al during the controversy the Standard
~ company has been conspicuous by its
.iosence, and not once has any man
SnOwn TO represent this concern hen
seen IN the Capitol Il is said thar the
Standard company doesn't care. thar the
Independents are playing both ends
tgalnsJ the middle" anyway. and that The
monopoly VIII have the advantage
whether oil is dutiable OF not
Wants % Per Cent Duty on Hides.
There is d strong following n RE
movement TO restore the duty OF . nAr
'ent on hides. Senator McCumber vester-
lay presented his resolution 10 iraposa
.uty OF = per cent on all hides Of ca-.lA
dried, salted, or picked. and n is
aid there viii be several substitutes The
2lan seems TO be to first Try the higher
luty. and then, II not successful. CON-
promise. Il possible. on lower duty
The men had been al work steadily
since the Aldricn bill was reportad sr5
are said 20 have gained sufficient strength
% carry their point. Since Il has bean
announced that q combine would be e.
ected with the oil men, who want a duty
N petroleum, this force again shows evi-
ience OF increased strength.
Administration Features DELAYED
Il IS said now that the administrative
eatures OF the bill viii not be repor-A5
10 the Senate until the first of nexr
week It was thought they would he
presented Friday OF Saturday. but soma
differences Of opinion have arisen. and
more time than was calculated was found (
necessary TO frame II This VIII be sent
o the Attorney General by Senate. Al
inch, and the President viii also pass
-pon It before IL is returned 10 the Sen /
.te
Senate leaders. as well as the President I
lre anxious that this feature Of the bin 1
e absolutely free from flaws, and every I
f~-1 VII 70 MU-S-4CQ nGLOre 4
is Incorporated into the bill
& real fight has been precipitated 1
'ver tss income tax. Republicans IA
-oring such legislation are almost /
qualIy divided between the amend /
aent proposed by Senator Bailey and /
hat being framed by Senator Cummins. 4
he Bailey amendment provides q. tax 4
4 per cent on all incomes Of more /
han $1,000, and includes the incomes
Z individuals, as well as corporations
nd firms The Cammins amendment.
IS said, VIII provide a sliding scale
Z taxation, and VIII exclude incomes
Z corporations. The Cumnfns provi-
ion contemplates taxing incomes as
ow as $4,000, while incomes Of $4,000
T less would be free from taxation IN
er the plan of Senator Bailey.
Senator Bailey is confident that he
vii be able 10 put through his amend
lent. and leading Democrats are in
lined to the belief that Senator Cum
lins and his followers viii finally suo-
Ort the Texas Senator rather than
0se the opportunity OF taxing incomes
I'LL, the whole matter IS I'D in the air
9th sides claiming sufficient strength /
D win Senator Bailey SAYS he has the
Glowing Of the solid minority force