The Washington times., 1915-12-14
House Democrats to Postpone
Other Revenue Legislation
Until After Holidays. =
QUESTION "sHoSI" TO PARTY
Rule to Insure Passage Of
Measure If Republicans
! Adopt DiIatory Tactics.

House Democrats are committed today
70 an extension for one year OF the
war revenue" bill. which was sched.
ulee to expire by limitation on Decenl-
Der u. At a party caucus last night.
The democrats. beset by cries for reve-
nue., determined TO offer resolution ex-
tending this law for twelve months and
TO postpone other revenue LEGISLATION
until after the Christmas holidays.
Majority Leader Kitchin said he would
ofter today a resolution extending the
war revenue" act. This resolution
probably will be brought back into the
House by the WAYS and Means Commit
tee tomorrow. a nd Mr.. Kitchin will ask
for It's adoption Thursday.
II Republicans attempt to impede the
progress of the resolution, the Demo-
Gratis will seek q rule. as it is desired
to extend the war revenne' bill before
Congress adjourns over Christmas.
Recess May Begins Saturday.
II the extension resolution Is approved
in the House and the Senate--and Il is
expected Republicans will merely re-
cord their opposition to such continued
. taxes and not resort to a filibuster-
the Christmas recess viii be taken on
Saturday. Congress viii reconvene jan
uary 3 or 4.
The caucus last night was a rather
sad affair from the party standpoint.
Probably no Democrat present wanted
to extend the war tax" bill Gor an
other year. but there was nothing else
TO do.
Mr.. Kitchin told 4 rather depressing
story about revenues. He estimated
that even with the extension Of this
act and the retention of duty on
sugar. the sum OF S125, 1000 must still
OF the Government and the national de-
tense program.
Party leaders sidesrepped considera-
tioI OF supplementary legislation. There
were loud cries Of What about a tax
on gasolene?' and What about a tax
on bank checl1s?" as suggested in the
Presidents message. but Mr.. Kitchin
said these matters would come up later.
The proposed tax on gasolene, bank
checks. automobile horsepower, fabri-
Gated steel. and other articles has its
enemies in Democratic ranks. This
was apparent in the general muttering
against the necessity OF imposing taxa
tion burdens.
To Retain Sugar Duty.
II Is practically certain that cent
per pound duty will be retained ON su-
gar, which was scheduled to go on the
free list May. /, 1916. Democrats who
shouted joyously over the benefits of
free sugar" in the last campaign are
worried over the prospect; in fact, the
entire revenue question is a party ghost
Mr.. Kitchin told the caucus the reve-
nue. program could be worked out more
advantageously after the naval and
military program Is completed.
The majority leader made no attempt
however, to minimize the seriousness OF
the situation, and reminded the Demo.
Gratis that no matter how distasteful
the taxation measures may be they
Two members. Galloway OF Texas ant
Heating of Colorado. were absolved
from obedience TO the caucus mandate
They said they had promised their con
stituents never to vote for another
stamp tax. such as that imposed by the
''war revenue" bill. Congressman dill
aud Wingo may also decline to vote fol
the bill. owing to similar pledges and
their own opposition to such taxes.
60 Democrats Absent.
There were about sixty Democrats alb.
sent from the caucus last night. and II
cannot be foretold how many will re-
fuse to stand hitched at the wal
revenue post. But the Democrats ex
pect to have the votes to put the ex
tension resolution through, and ther
will come the real revenue fight, wher
the majority party goes about raisinS
that Sl25.OOo. 100, exclusive of the $780,
100000 which the retained duty on sugar
will produce.
Congressman Cordell Hull. author OF
the income tax section of the Under.
wood law. is studying the inheritance
tax laws Of various States and Eu
ropean countries.
~ A Federal Inheritance tax IL one rcy,
enIIe sugge esticn being considered b.
the Democrats. Mr.. Hull said nothing
had been decided about the revenue
program, but he regarded a Federal H.,
heCltance tax as practicable, a!thougi
a number Of the States have inheritance
taxes. There is considerable oppositior
10 the inheritance tax idea and the Ad.
ministration is not ''strong" for it.
The fact, however, that Mr.. Hull, thy
income tax expert of the Ways ans
Means Committee. is "reading up" Cr
Inheritance tax laws, shows the seri
BUSINESS of the revenue situation anC
means there is possibility of such 9
tax. Mr.. Hull is likewise investigating
the 1exibjlity of the income tax, witt
view to stretching the income tax tC