The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-17
WAR TAX BILL IS
JAMMED THROUGH
BY WHIP AND SPUR
Five House Democrats Revolt
In tho Final Vote Of
206 to 1856.
SENATE WILL ACT ON
THE MEASURE TO-DAY

WATERMELON, Do 10.-6acked by the
mandate a the party cauous the Admin
A0esa&ton resolution extending the life Of
he emergency war revenue act from
Dsosnber u next to January 4, 1917.
was passed By the HOUSE to-day hy q
. wts Of sos to iss.
D.. This result was brought about by the
ws Of the whip and spur on many
DSmoorAts who Ne Ut heart opposed
- the war taxes" and who supported
them with their votes to-day on the
ASSURANCE that an opportunity would be
savsn later In the session to amend the
smsrgency law.
The proceedings brought home to
Democratic leaders a realisation that
with the party margin Of only twenty
tour votes over the combined minority
oemoton when party or Administration
measures will be menaced by 'fnsur-
gency."
Five Democrats Jumped the reserva-
ton in the face Of tho plea Of the Ad-
ministration and House leaders that II
tho extension resolution failed the Treas
ury would register a big defcit at the
end Of the current fiscal year.. and that
this would react politically or the party
y Vie fToolucutifl C1cCbiDu VI luAo.
Republicans solid.
while tho Democratic organization
cracked on one vote and wavered On
two or throe others the Republicans
stood solidly In opposition TO the Ad-
m1ndstration measure. On a pro for1na
vote in the preliminary skirmish the
Democrats were beaten by . majority
Of .. This resulted in word being sent
nj by the leaders that all majority
members must remain in constant at
tendance IN the House until the Job Of
the day was finished.
The debate IN the resolution to extend
h life Of the war law was a good old
fashioned discussion Of the merits OF
protection as contrasted with the low
tariff principles Of the Democratic party.
Republicans charged that the Treasury
had gone to the bow vows because of the
lack OF foresight on the part OF the
Democrats to enact Intelligent revenue
laws. The Democrats replied that their
tart. law was framed for normal con-
ditions in this and other countries and
that had 1t not been for the war ample
funds would now be stored In the Treas
ury for all the needs Of the Government.
Democratic orators ignored all ques-
lions as to the kind OF taxes that would
b imposed to raise additional funds for
rational defence. They made no COM
mitments on this score even when
taunted with assertions that many of
their followers had been kept In line with
promises that some OF the stamp taxes
would be repealed when a general revenue
bill was taken up later.
Motions made by the minority. headed
~ Republican Leader Mann. to limit the
Mfs Of the law TO May 1. to June 80, OF
until the end of this session were d.
feAted by narrow votes.
Five Democrats in Revolt.
On the motion that the law should ex'
pire by limitation on May l the vote wal
ls3 to 1s9. on this proposition hV'
Democrats voted with the Republicans
They were the same members who iatei
voted in the negative with the Repuo'
licans on the final passing OF the resolu'
t3oa. They were representatives HI!
lard and Heating OF Colorado. Cdliawa,
Of Texas, Wingo OF Arkansas anc
Buchanan OF Illinois.
The narrow margin by when I'M
Democrats operated to-day was demon
strated In striking fashion by the vot'
On the motion To recommit the Dill mac
nv Mr.. Mann. This motion was defeate'
6y a vote OF EOS to 1877. IN this vot'
nearly all OF the Republicans were oi
hand, whereas twenty-four Democrat
failed to put In an appearance,
The resolution extending the lie OF IN
var act now goes to the Senate. IL
~. understandings that II will be con
sadered and passed by that body 10
morrow, The leaders are anxious tina
the measure shall be approved by Presi
dent Wilson before he departs on M
honeymoon Saturday.
Mr. Kitchin told the House mat taiiui
to extend tho war revenue act anu !
rsoeaI the free sugar provision OF N
a-zxJ sinapnopa law would IeSO
IN a Treasury deficit Of ISL 100000 {
~ end of tho current fiscal year Il
~SatandinR the war tax and retainin
TIA nreeent customs rate OF ! cene
,ound on sugar the Treasury dehc
vsuld be about 3s.ooo.ooo.
Mr.. Kitchin's Appeal.
W. Democrats know of course" sa'
M. Kitchhn, that this bill Is unpopula
We know that no tax Is popular
times of peace. However,. the necessl'
sx,ets to raise "A certain amount
revenue. The deficits are there and
believe we would be unworthy OF u
record Of the Democrats under this A
ministrat!on II we did not nave u
courage and the patriotism TO do Il
unpopular thing and arrange suficie
revenues to meet the absolute neces<
ties Of the Government
"It Is necessary to pass this resolutit
before December 81. otherwise We wou
face the necessity of going to the e
pense, when We did pass such a b
hereafter, OF completely organizing I
whole internal revenue force. and l a
peal to every Democrat to vote for II
resolution because 1t Is absolutely G
sential no matter how unpopular II mi
BE-"
Representative Fordney raked I
Democrats fore and aft.
They are forced to pass this law
save the Treasury from bankruptc,
he declared. ut Is not because OF I
war, but because OF your tariff Ii
that you are obliged to enact this leg
lation. During the last seven mont
prior to the war in Europe impol
under the Democratic tarin were me
than 500. 600, 900 greater than In "A
corresponding months in any previc
year In all our history, but customs
ceipts during that period averaged alb
$1,000. 900 per month less than unt
the Payne-Aldrich tariff act.
Says War Is Not to blame.
'The war in Europe Is not to bla
for the present condition of the Treasu
Notwithstanding the war, the Cove
ment revenues, based on the ad valor
rates OF the Payne law. would hi
yielded enough to pay the running
penses of the Government, Your Ire
ury is in chaotic condition.