New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
Democratic Leaders Plan
to Pass 1t Before
Holiday Recess.
WILL GAG ATTEMPT
TO AMEND THE LAW
Fight for Changes in Taxation
Will Be Forced Over Until
Next Month.

Washington, Dec. 12.-Four extreme
ly busy days will confront Congress
on Tuesday, when the House Of Rep
resentstives reconvenes. The Senate
will meet tomorrow, but the big JOB
Of the week-continuing the present
war revenue act, 50 as 10 prevent It's
expiring by limitation on December 81
must originate in the House. II is
the intention Of the leaders of both
houses TO recess from next Friday un-
I'll January 3, so that only four days
are 70 be allowed for consideration OF
the war tax bill.
Administration leaders intend 20 try
20 pass a mere continuing resolution.
which would leave the present taxes
as they are, with the understanding
that they may be modified later Sew
eral Democratic Senators and Repre-
sentatives, however, do not take kindly
20 this plan, but wish TO change some
Of the provisions of the tax law a.
once, 80 that there will be no chance
Of falling 10 get round to 1t" later.
Republicans are fairly well satisfied
20 have the war tax forced on them
again. They think II is the best argu-
ment in the world TO the people that
the Democrats are incapable OF run
ming the government. That there will
be changes in the law later there IS
little doubt, following President Will
sons message TO Congress. A hght
will be made by the administration to
tax bank checks. gasolene, horsepower
of automobiles and few other things
10 make up the Sl12,00O,0O0 the ad-
ministration says It needs, in addition
10 all present sources of revenue. The
fight over this programme, which Will
be bitter, NAV encroach on the time
llotted for repeating the free sugar
clause Of the Underwood-Simmons
tariff bill
Nominations in the Senate.
Most of the time Of the Senate to-
morrow and, indeed, q great deal dur
ING the other days of the week-wlIl
be consumed in discussing nomina-
tions. The big batch Of recess ap-
pointments, with sprinkling OF new
ones. were referred TO the appropriate
committees on Friday. and reports Will
no ready for action by the Senate IN
many instances tomorrow. There is
some talk of attempting to Jam
through the treaty with Nicaragua
under which this government Is TO pay
the Central American state S3,OOOOOV
for an option on the Nicaraguan Canal
route and a naval base IN Fonseca
Bay. Opposition to this treaty, now
ever. Is so strong and so general that
il is not believed it can be put through
in week.
The ball will be started on the reve-
nue. bill tomorrow night, when the
House Democrats will caucus on that
question. II the Democrats can be
Jagged and bound sufficiently, rule
viii probably be brought out and the
war revenue bill jammed through IN
one day. perrittinr the Senate 10 be-
vin its consideration Of the war tax
measure on Wednesday, thus allowing
three full DAYS for debate before the
final vote there. If the threat OF loss
of their Christmas holidays is not
sufficient 10 overcome opposition IN
the Senate, members Of the House VIII
have 20 forego their holidays. too, as
one House can recess for only three
days at a time without the consent OF
the other.
Something New for Uncle Joe.
Uncle Joe Cannon is going to see
lome new wrinkles in making the
House Of Representatives jump when
the strings are pulled this week, old
leaders prophesied tonight. The for
mer Speaker is going to see gag rule
applied on Tuesday to an extent he
would never have dared in the palmy
days when he and Senator Aldrich
ruled at opposite ends Of the Capitol.
A secret caucus one night, and only
one days debate, winding up in vote
without any member having the priv
legs of an amendment 70 the war tax
biil being voted on, is what the eS-
Speaker will witness, and he will be
lust as helpless TO hold up the pro
ceeding as any other member Of the