New-York tribune., 1909-03-24
PAYNE URGES ACTION
AGAINST DITTDEND TAX.
Closes Tariff Speech 5cith Plea for
Speedy Enactment.


tions additional means Of raising revenue
He made his opinion clear this afternoon when In
the OF his speech in the House he declared
his belief that only would such tax be un-
constitutional. but that corporations already paid
sufficient taxes their property and should not in
Justice ne required TO contribute more than their
fair share toward the revenues Of the country
This declaration IS taken to mean that President
Taft's plan for taxing the dividends of corpora
tions. announced in The Tribune this morning does
not meet with the approval OF the House leaders
In fact. later in his speech. Mr.. Payne announced
that he reserved the right TO his own opinion re-
garding the constitutionaity of income tax. re-
gardless of the convictions Of President Taft
Mr.. Payne closed his nine-hour speech on the
tariff bill late this afternoon He explained every
changed schedule, and although his colleagues did
not always agree with the conclusions reached 1t
general opinion that he had thoroughly mas
tered HIS subject and had delivered a splendid de-
fencs OF which bears his name.
Mr.. Payne piled with questions from ooth
sides Of the House during the day Only once did
he become impatient That was when Representa-
tive Garrett, of Tennessee. inquired If the DILL
taken a whole. was not a revision upward
ut is not fair, as honorable man. % ask
that question" answered Mr.. Payne. THE gen
tlenan has right to say that
He declared that the revision a reduction.
that any intelligent man who read the bin could
easily discover its trend. and he charged that Mr.
Garrett asked the question merely 10 insert the
suggestion in the body OF his speech.
DEFENDS INHERITANCE TAX.
Mr.. Payne defended the inheritance tax pro-
vision against numerous assaults by the Demo
Gratis. He declared that the question Of consutu-
tonality could not properly be forced into the DIS
cussion, that several states nad
such a law IN operation, which had been tested
by the higher courts He said the citizens OF these
states would be compelled 20 pay double tax
until the state laws were repealed. but he IN
sisted that, St would not be too much TO
-1fv1 flTrY cd
his opposition to the income tax, on the ground
that It could not legally be imposed on lands and
the rents from lands. municipal bonds and per
sonal property
His defence OF the reduction in the lumber sched-
rlle was that II would reduce the price TO the
sumer and would be OF beneht to the millions.
while retention Of the present duty would be OF
service only TO those spectators in stumpage who
already wealthy.
Mr.. Payne after being on the floor for Ave hours
and ten minutes. closed. He thanked the House
for its patience and foe the inquiries put 70 him.
Before he sat down Mr. Garner, of Texas renewed
his question Of yesterday. If opportunity would be
given to amend the bill.
In reply Mr. Payne, amid applause. declared he
wanted the bill put through quickly as possible.
The country is waiting the action OF Congress.
he said. Trade is waiting The wheels OF in
dustrv are stopped pending the action OF Congress
upon this bill Men eager to work for fair days
pay are looking anxiously for the passage OF this
bill Business interests of the country, nay. through
out the whole world. waiting for the action or
this House. 1 want the bill passed ct the first pos
slble moment, and believe that when it IS passed
and signed by the President II will accomplish the
purposes which We have designed believe IT will
open the ports Of other countries. believe it will
give us fairer trade relations the world over 7
believe II will not stop the labor Of single hand
l believe II will start up industries throughout the
United states believe that labor will be fully
employed. 7 believe that good and blessings 10 the
people Of the United States will come from the
passage of this bill and my anticipation and hope
is that the earliest possible moment this dill
will go through the House and TO the Senate
on It's way 70 become law
This peroration. coming as II did Unexpectedly.
reused the Republicans TO a high pitch OF enthu-
siasm They clapped their hands. thumped their
desks and patted their leader the back. Mr.
Payne bowed his acknowledgements
QUESTIONS sHovERED ON PAYNE
Mr. Payn had no sooner begun his speech to-day
than he was piled with questions from all sides.
Various coloquies. some Of them a triae acrid In
tone, ensued. but Mr. Payne emerged with colors
still flying
When hides were the topic OF discussion Mr.
Garner asked the speaker If he thought the
rnoval of the duty on hides rendering the
farmers a real benefit.
Il do replied Mr.. Payne with emphasis
Briefly discussing the coal schedule. Mr.. Payne
passed onto the question OF lumber He said that
the men who wanted the Dingey duty lumber
neuse lot of stumpage and who were actuated
solely by motives of greed. II the duty on lumber
were to be removed entirely. he said. it would be
Of great benefit to the American people.
Coming TO the schedules affecting wood pulp and
print paper. Mr. Payne said the committee, in FIX
ing the rates guided largely by the special
committee which Investigated the subject during
the last session. and which submitted a unanimous
report favoring the course followed in the bill.
He was Interrupted by Champ Clark with in
ouIry IL It was not true that President Taft had
fntimated that an income bill could be drawn
that the Supreme Court, as now constituted would
declare constitutional
Mr. Payne replied that he did not believe Presl-
dent Taft ever made such assertion.
MIR. James. OF Kentucky. said that in 1907 at
Columbus. Ohio. Mr.. Taft Incorporated that prop
os;tion In speech.
Mr. Payne said he did not know whether Mr.
Taft took that View or not. Il do not think how
ever" he said that there is any authority for
such a law
Both Mr. James and Mr.. Clark said that certain
portions Of the income provision OF the Wilson
bill which were not held be Unconstitutional
could he enforced. and inquired why something was
not done to enforce that law.
Mr. Payne replied that 1t was because II was not
But even SO, he said. he would vastly prefer an
inheritance tax because an income tax occasioned
perjury and fraud unending.
At the close Of Mr. Paynes speech Mr.. Clark. the
minority leader arose To reply. He had barely be-
gun his remarks, however. when a suggestion from
him that he would prefer to address the House
when its members were not tired. led Mr. Pavne
and on his request Mr.. Clark suspended until to-
morrow.
TEA TAX AGAIN STIRS BOSTON