Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-04-20
TAgS FATE:
UP TO CONFERENCE.
WESTERN REPUBLICANS FAVOR
ABLE TO IDEA WILL MEET on
SUNDAY AT RESIDENCE OF
SENATOR CUMMINS.
By Ralph Smith

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE fate of
the proposition to amend the tariff bill
by providing an income tax will prob
ably be known tomorrow when number
of western Republicans favorable to the
idea, will meet in conference at the resi-
dence of Senator Cummins, of Iowa, one
of the leading radicals. The solid DEM
ocratic strength of thirty-one votes Is
already committed to the support or
such a tax and if the Republicans can
really get sixteen votes the passage OF
an income tax is assured.
Senator Cummins stated tonight that
he can count positively on fifteen Repub-
licans with a possibility of sixteen and
maybe twenty. He expects at least fif-
teen senators to attend the conferences
at his home tomorrow when the details
of the matter will be fully considered.
the Democrats at their caucus yesterday
decided to scotch their attitude on an
income tax by directing the preparation
of an amendment which tffey believe
will meet the constitutional objection
raised by the supreme court commits.
tee was named to draft an amendment
providing for a graduated tax on in
comes and exempting from taxation in
comes on real and personal property.
The Cummins amendment which will
be submitted to the Republican confer
ence tomorrow and which it is believed
will be accepted provides for a graduat-
ed tax on incomes as follows: From s..
600 to 5000 one per cent five TO ten
thousand, two per cent. ten to twenty
thousand five per cent, twenty to fif-a
ty thousand four per cent The amend
ment exempts the incomes of corpora
tions. The fact that the Democrats have
decided to accept the graduated scale
scheme in preference to the flat tax orig
inallv proposed by Senator Bailey, indi-
Gates that the radical Republicans and
the minority members are getting closer
together on the proposition. 1t was re-
ported tonight that Senator Aldrich and
the conservative element of the Repub-
lican party would rely upon point OF
order to defeat the income tax amends
unents. but this report is not regarded
seriously.
The best parliamentarian of both hous-
es and the best constitutional lawyers
of both parties declare that in their
Judgment a point of order would not lie
against the amendment. However, the
claim is made that inasmuch as the con-
stitution provides that revenue legisla-
ton must originate in the house the SEN
ate is powerless to amend the tariff bill
by providing income tax as means for
raising revenue. InOSo WHO hoio " eAtiS
view insist that an income tax amend
ment would be in the nature OF new Leg
islation, and even though not subject to
a point Of order, injects further con-
stitutionaI question to impair the valid
ity of such a law.
Just what tack Senator Aldrich viii
take in the end to defeat the income
tax is not definitely known at this time.
it is stated tonight that he relies upon
his statement to the senate Monday to
dissipate the claim that an income tax
will be required to raise sufficient reve-
nue. to run the government. He ex-
poets to demonstrate that the tariff bill
as reported by the senate finance COM
mittee will meet all requirements Of the
government as a revenue producer.