Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1913-04-04
TARIFF PROGRAM
President Wilson and Congress Lead,
ers 20 Discuss Points In Dispute
Single Bill Is Favored.

The smoothing OUT process to be in
itiated this week In preparation for
handling tariff revision in the extra
session that opens April Z. IS regard
ed by congressional leaders as the
most important step in the program
Of tarilf revision.
Senator simmons. chairman Of the
Senate finance committee, is TO con-
fer with Chairman Underwood. Of the
House ways and means committee
Tuesday; and both are to talk with
President Wilson and arrange further
conferences at which disputed points
will be settled and a program of &C.
ton outlined. While the tarif bill
practically is complete. important de.
velopment hang on the decisions of
President Wilson aud on the results
of full canvass of the Democrats Of
the Senate
To President Wilson will be left the
final decision whether there shall be
one general revision bin or separate
measures for each of the different
schedules of the tariff law major
ity of the Hose tariff makers, who
have worked out the revision bills,
favor the single bill idea. and If Pres
ident Wilson supports the plan sin
gle bill will be offered to the House.
This plan already has aroused
sharp opposition IN the Senate. how
ever. The free sugar and Is per cent
duty on raw wool. put into the bill by
the House committee win be the tar
get for attack in the Senate not only
from Republicans. but from Demo-
Gratis who come from States where
sugar. wooden or wool growing indus
tries predominant.
May Separate Schedules.
Shuld a single general tariff bill be
introduced with the approval Of Presi-
dent Wilson, 1t is believed the Senate
Democratic leaders would be forced
to yield 10 the demand for separate
votes on these two schedules. In such
event they might be taken out OF the
general tariff bill and passed as
amendments.
The extent to which President VIII
son may desire a reduction of duties
on agricultural products, comprised
in the socalled market basket list,
will have marked influence on the
support that may be given the new
tariff revision by Progressive Republi-
cans in both House and Senate The
tariff on wheat, barley, oats and other
half by the House committee
II this rate of duty is approved by
President Wilson II is believed a large
body Of the Progressive Republicans,
of the House will vote for the Demo
cratic bill, unless other reductions are
so extreme as TO make them change
the plans now partially agreed to. The
Democratic bill win not need the adj
ditional Progressive or Republican
support III tie flOuSt, NHNiN tit i'Nhi-
oeratic majority is large, but Demo
cratic leaders would welcome the
shift of one or two Republican or
Progressive votes in the Senate to
strengthen their narrow majority,
which may be distributed by bitted
fight on free sugar or on the wool
duty.
President Wilson's tariff message,
the substance of which has been com
munieated to leaders of both houses
of Congress, is anAerstood TO have
received general approval for its
brevity and its absence of comment
on details of the special session ii is
planned to settle, so far as possible,
all of the disputed points, and to
reach a general basis of agreement
that will insure speedy action and
few changes in the tariff bills.
II is designed to bring into the
treasury not far from 100000 in
Guiding the present corporation tax of
about S20,000,000.
Administration of the British inr
come tax is said to show that about
two-thirds of s165.0oO.000 revenue
could be collected at the source. so
that the taxpayers in that proportion
of cases never saw revenue official
Income Tax Plan.
The income tax plan as framed is
expected by the Democratic leaders
of the House TO run the gauntlet Of
both houses and to become a part of
the permanent National revenue sys-
ten. The scheme embodies- these fea-
tuers:
Exemptions incomes under s4,-
600; incomes of elemosynary inhtitu-
tons. etc.
Rates-Minimum, one per cent on
$4,000; graduated up to a maximum OF
4 per cent on 100000 or more.
Mathod- enforcement of the "cOl-