Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-08-29
WANTS EVERYBODY TO BE OPEN
AND A5ovEBoARD WITH LEeIs-
LATIoN RUN FROM SENATE IN
STEAD OF COMMITTEE
CUMMINSEXPECTSOPPOSITION
lNsUReENT REPUBLICAN SAYS
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO IN
COME tax SECTION WILL BE
THOUGHT WAR ON WEALTH
(By Optic a. P. Leased MIrel

(5y Optic A. P. Leased Wire)
Washington. Aug. 29.-Denunciation
Of the democratic senate caucus as a
political machine by Senator Hitch
cock, one of the democrats who re-
fused to be bound by the caucus on
all features Of the tariff bill, marked
today's reopening Of the fight over
the income tax.
Why should senators be expected
to be bound by the hasty decisions
Of secret caucus on details Of the
income tax?" demanded Hitchcock.
Why should they be expected to vote
down every amendment, however
good, simply because it comes from
the other side of the chamber? Why
should the income tax section not be
amended here on the floor of the sem
ate If debate convinces senators that
it should be?"
The insuFgent democfats who ses-
terday demanded that the bill Be
changed to include the income tax
on large fortunes apparently had
banned strength, and insisted that
they enforce the party conference late
today or tomorrow to make substan-
tial increases. Senate leaders were
prepared to grant concessions but the
insurgents were not satisfied that
these proposals would fully meet their
views.
Hitchcock's attack was delivered
in connection with his amendment for
a heavy penalty tax on trusts or mo-
nopolies controlling more than one
fourth Of the country's production or
trade IN any given line.
Five per cent would be added to in
comes Of corporations doing from one
fourth to one-third to one-half. and 20
per cent for those above one-half. 1t
would apply to no corporations capit-
allied at less than s5O,OOO,OOO or do
ing business Of less than s1O,00O,OO0
annually
Senator Hitchcock declared his
amendment had been offered in the
caucus and beaten 2s to IS, but he
alleged it had not been an open fight
there.
1T was moi even a fair test Of eau
Gus strength" said he. efor there
was caucus within caucus. The
nine democratic members OF the FL
nance committee voted as a unit.
without regard to their individual
convictions. 1t was wheel within
ia wheel, machine within a machine
Caucus rule makes public debates
in abe senate faroial. senators win
not even remain in their seats to hear
Ethem caucus rule kills the very
spirit Of legislation. This income tax
section, instead Of being here q thing.
Of life and interest, lies in this cham
Der a veritable corpse.
Amendments have been offered
from the republican side by senator's
who have made study OF the income
tax They are not contrary to any
democratic doctrine. they would not
endanger the bill. Why then must
democrats be required BY caucus rules
to vote against them?"
With other democratic senators
have felt bound up to this time with
these obnoxious caucus rules Now
however, We have reached point
Where / feel free to take another
course
Senator Hitchcock added. Is sup
port q his amendment. that The ani
trust laws had proven failures. fa
as checking monopones ana trusts
we're concerned. Ire declared Ills
amendment ne believed wu nbwa