The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-01

WASHINGTON. June 30.--The
senate Democratic caucus passed from
the consideration of schedules and
rates in the tariff bill this afternoon
to the income tax. Nearly all Of the
afternoon session, and a night SEES
Rion. that began at O'Clock, and
lasted until nearly mid night, were
devoted to discussing the income TAX.
A wide divergence OF views was dis
closed.
For three and a half hours this
afternoon the caucus discussed the
single feature of exemption. Some
senators chided Senator Williams. OF
amendment for his work. and told
him that the house bill carried a wiser
provision concerning the income tax
than the senate committee has re-
ported.
At the outset Of the discussion. q
difference OF opinion developed as to
whether there should be any diattnc-
ton drawn between married men and
unmarried men.
Thinks Exemption Scalp Bounty.
When the caucus adjourned at the
close of the afternoon session. moth
ing had been settled. and Senator
Simmons had come forward nth =
suggestion that the bill offsM al re-
ferences TO dependent children. and
dinerentiate simply between married
and unmarried men.
In the course Of the caucus the
fact was brought out that the finance
committee had received a letter from
q citizen OF Indiana requesting them
to forward to him $4,000 at once. He
explained that ne had read In the
newspapers that the bill proposed to
-~sx. ~
of each child. and the writer ex-
planned he had four children. 1t was
evident that the writer OF the let
ter had confused the exemption pro-
posed in the tariff law with a bounty
on wolf scalps. which Is paid in many
Western States and was under the
impression that he was entitled to re-
ceive $500 for each child In his fam
Ny
Chairman Simmons seemed 70 be
disturbed over the way the income
tax was dragging in the caucus, and
said he had no hope of getting the
bill reported to the senate before
July 4th.
Countervailing Duties Not Popular.
Before tho caucus passed to the
consideration of the income tax. ii
took two test votes on the subject
Of countervaii;ng duties. At the meet
Of counterva!ling duties AT the morn
ing session Senator pomerene pro-
posed countervailing duty of eight
per cent on farm machinery, and
farm implements. This was voted
down.
At the afternoon session the SEN
stor from Ohio offered the suggestion
OF = countervailing duty on lumber
without fixing a rate. The caucus
made short work OF this suggestion.
{ Il also was declared unsatisfactory.
The question OF countervailing du-
ties will come up again when the adj
illustrative features are reached.
Senator Hoke Smith. of Georgia
whose name has been identif,ed with
IN amendment proposing countervail-
ang duties, said tonight that his posi-
ton had been Misunderstood.
II do not favor any general system
Of countervAiling duties" he said.
"what l proposed IL the enlargement
OF the list of articles specified in the
clause which gives the president power
foreign countries shat discriminate
against our exports"
Guarding Imported Meats.
One of the most important acts of
the caucus today was the approval OF
an amendment which directs the Sec
rotary of agriculture to impose a rigid
!. system of meat inspection against any
meats imported from country the
meat inspection laws OF which are not
az rigid as our own.
At the afternoon session OF the eau
Gus Senator Thornton. OF Louisiana,
proposed an amendment to place q
nominal tax on raw cotton. This was
aimed at importations of long staple
Egyptian cotton. which Is now being
Imported into the United States in
considerable quantities. The amend
nent was overwhelmingly defeated.
Except for the matters that have
been referred back to the finance COM
mittee, the tariff bill was completed
today In the caucus. so far as rates
are concerned. The free, list was nm
h ished at the morning session. and
nothing remains but the income tax
And the administrative features.