The Washington times., 1913-08-28
VARDAMAN BOLTS
j. RULES OF CAUCUS
Open Insurgency Breaks Ranks
of Democrats in Vote on
Income Tax Bill.
CONTINUED from First I4GeD

Continued from FlISl ! iSe.l
come tax provisions of the bill A Demo
cratic caucus will be held soon. not later
than Monday, for the purpose of adopt
ing provisions which will impose a heavy
graduated tax on large incomes.
The exact percentage of tax which
WI be imposed is not vet disclosed. But
Democratic Senators said il would have
to be high enough reasonably TO meet
the demands of progressive Republicans
in the Senate and also demands from
the country for the heavy taxation Of
big incomes.
Doesn't Meet Wishes.
As the bill stands, She tax is graduated
to 4 per cent on incomes above $lG0,0'o.
This does not meet the wishes of many
of the more radical Democrats and
about half the Republicans, including al
the progressive Republicans. Senator
La Toilette demands tax of 10 per
cent on incomes above 100000, and pre-
sented an amendment to that effect
which was voted on today.
It was defeated by 43 te Il but Senator
Nardaman broke from the Democrats
and voted for il and Senators Ashurst
the assurance from the Finance Com
mittee leaders that the measure would
be revised to m ct the demands of the
country for a graduated tax higher than
the bill provides.
Conservative Democratic leaders were
thrown into something like e panic to-
day when they found out the strength
of the rebellion on their hands and re-
ali- ed thew would have to WELD TO il.
The fact Senator Nardaman had the
nerve to break away from caucus
caused the leaders much uneasiness. 1t
was pointed out that the action of
Senator Vardaman would make trouble
in Mississippi for Senator John Sharp
Williams. who has been standing out
for low rate.
Amendment Pending
The income tax measure was taken up
this morning with the La Follettee
amendment pending. 1t would have
dealt a hard blow at swollen fortunes
by Iaxing incomes over 100000 at 10
per cent. AS indicated, it was defeat
ed, II to 43 The Republicans who
voted with the Democrats against the
amendment were all of the Old Guard,
and included Brandegee, Catron. Colt,
Fall, Gallinger Lippitt, Lodge, Nc
Lean, Penrose, Root, SmoOt. and Weeks.
Had these twelve voted with the Repub-
ncans for the amendment the situation
would have been close.
After the La Toilette. amendment was
voted down, Senator Bristow urged
an amendment, which would have
graduated the tax as high as per cent.
LIE Was NOltU uONn DN "a vote OF 81
to 80. The Democrats this time hung
together. But it was because of assur-
ances the bill would be changed to
provide for a heavier tax on larger in
comes. The Republicans all supported
the Bristow amendment
Tne Gndercurrent or Democratic oppo-
sition to the Finance Committee and
caucus provisions on the income tax
indicates the growing feeling among
many of the Senate Democrats against
the business of yielding their views to
the caucus
The rule of the Senate by caucus is
getting more and more obnoxious TO
the more progressive of the Democratic
Senators. What occurred today is
merely a forerunner of revolt one of
these days that will break up the caucus
practice completely
Senator Williams of Mississippi, who
is in charge OF the income tax pro-
visions of the bill denied on the floor
that anybody had authority to prom
Use the rate 0f taxation would be in
creas sed. number of the Progressive
Democratic Senators insisted, how
ever. that they had such assurances
Senator Poindexter of Washington
proposed an amendment which would
tax at Ia pnr cent incomes above
$500. 900 and not more than 1,000. O00,
and would tax at 20 per cent all in
comes ove7 $1,000 900. This was voted
down on a roll call.