The Lamar register., 1915-02-03
HOUSE DEMOCRAT FLAYS OWN
PARTY'S LAWS AS FAIL
URES
Broussard Predicts $l9O,OOO,OOO De-
ficit Unless Underwood Act Is
Changed

Washington, January 30.-A reso-
luton repeating the provision of the
Underwood tariff law that places su-
gar on the free list, effective May /,
1916, was introduced in the House to-
day by Representative Broussard of
Louisiana. Following the presentation
of his resolution, Mr.. Broussard is
sued a statement entitled How to
Wipe Out the Treasury Deficit"
He argued that If the treasury is to
be put in sound condition, the demo-
Gratis must revise their revenue laws.
He charged that the Underwood law
has failed as a revenue producer, that
the income tax feature has likewise
proved unresponsive, and that unless
there is change in the revenue acts
before the end of the next fiscal year
the treasury deficit will run to nearly
S19O,OOO,0O0. In beginning his state
ment Mr.. Broussard said:
We are informed that there is.prRc-
tically an SsO,0O0,00O deficit, despite
the enactment of war tax in times
of profound peace.
"The defendants Of our present I'm
ancial policy have ascribed the pend
ing SsO,0OO,O0O deficiency to what
they are pleased to term pork bar
rel appropriations by congress.
mo one cognizant of the existing
situation is at all disturbed over that
statement.
at is not true to say that this de-
ficiency grows out of any such appro-
priations, because during this admins
tration no public buildings have been
provided for by congress, and the ap-
preparation for rivers anr harbors was
during the life of this congress reduc-
ed from a normal appropriation of
$50 900, 900 to a S2O,OO0,OOO lump ap-
preparation.
Even if this S2O,O0O,OOO were charg-
ed to the legislative pork barrel it
cannot possibly account for hole in
the treasury of $s0,0OO,O00.
LAS a matter of fact, it can be DEM
onstrated that this deficiency grows
out of an entirely different situation,
which situation precludes absolutely
the use of the word pork barrel in
connection with it."
Mr. Broussard holds the administra-
tion responsible for the failure of the
revenue laws to meet expectations.
He charged that in making estimates
of revenue the leaders depended upon
calculations made under the direction
of Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo.
These calculations according to Mr..
Broussard, were misleading and re-
sponsible for the errors made by con-
gress in revising the tariff and pass
ing the war revenue act. Commenting
upon the failure of the income tax and
the war act as revenue producers Mr..
Broussard said:
THE revenues from these two
sources is nowise affected by the
European war. If the termination of
the war causes any increase in our
custom receipts this increase cannot
entirely make up the deficit, but con-
gress will have to look elsewhere for
the most part to recoup the treasury"
Mr.. Broussard declared that unless
his repeal resolution is passed $52,-
OOO, 900 more must be added to the
deficit in the fiscal year 1916.
Mr.. Broussard continued:
"To summarize, should the same
deficiency occur in 1916 as is pending
now there will be added to the $780,
900 900 deficiency the further defici-
ncies due to the expiration of the war
tax law, yielding S54,O00,0O0 and
still further deficiency after May l,
1916 of $52,OOO,0O0 more derived from
the sugar duty.