The Washington times., 1915-12-08
No Party Contention in Senate,
He Tells Wilson, II Issue Is
Kept From Caucus.
MANN'S DECISION AWAITED
Support Of Republicans viii Be
Badly Needed II Kitchin
Forces Bolt.

On behalf OF the Republican members
Of the Senate. President Wilson was
assured today that there would be no
partisan opposition to his national de-
fense program.
The assurance came from Senator
Jacob H. Gallinger, minority leader In
the upper branch OF Congress. But
there was a condition imposed. Senator
Gallinger told the President this would
| be the position OF himself and his col
| leagues, II the Democrats did not frame
| the defense measures in caucus.
The President. the Senator afterward
! said. assured him. in return. that he
| would not approve the idea of a party
| caucus on these bills.
Tomorrow the President will confer
with Congressman James r. Mann of
| Illinois. the minority leader OF the
House. Whether Mr. Mann will extend
the same assurances remains to be seen
In view OF a recent interview given out
| by him in which he criticised the Ad-
ministrations program as "imbecile."
Democrats Threaten Bolt.
| with many Democrats under the
leadership of Majority Leader Claude
kitchin proclaiming their intention to
| bolt from the Administration on the se
measures. and with the prospect OF
| their being no caucus to hold them in
line. 1t Is evident that the support OF
the Republicans will be badly needed
As far as the Administra tion's shin
purchase bill is concerned, Senator
| Gallinger declared that the Republ
cans would reserve the ight to oppose
1t. even II he conceded that the tying
up or hsimeasure with the naval pre-
paredness program had made It some
what more popular. The methods pro-
needed revenue, Senator Gallinger is
opposed to- In place Of the additional
taxes the President suggests, the Sena
tor favors a bond issue with perhaps
come tax. a stamp tax on checks. and
continual tion Of the present war taxes
and the tax on sugar
Gallinger's Attitude.
The ship purchase measure and tn.
revenue question was not however. dis
cussed at his conference with the Presi
dent. On leaving the White House
Senator Gallinger said:
while ] have not studied the detail,
or the Administrations national defens,
program. agree with the tohught ant
spirit in which II was prepared as
sured the President that while ther,
may DE some question as to the detail.
or the plan. the Republicans in tn,
Senate will not treat this matter in ,
partisan way. And provided the Demo
Gratis do not attempt to frame thei
measures In caucuses. / believe I cal
speak for nv colleagues when I say W,
snail honestly cooperate with them
Ihe question Is not and should not b.
a party one. and II the Democrats ar
willing to discuss it In a non-partisai
way. we shall be ready to meet then
halfway. We believe that the Govern
ment should have reasonable an,
sane increase in its national defenses.
Plans For Revenue.
Regarding the ship purchase question
Senator Gallinger called attention t,
the fact that he introduced in the Sen
ate yesterday a bill OF his own. which
calling for the use OF Federal aide,
ships as auxiliaries in time Of war. h
will offer rs substitute for the Ad
ministration bill.
I Regarding revenue. Senator Gallinge
said he strongly objected to the pro
, posed taxes on the horsepower of auto
: mobiles and on gasoene; and well Il
, the taxes suggested by tho Presiden
on pig iron and fabricated structure
, steel. On the other hand. he declared
, the expenses of the defense program
!, could be mt and tn deficit in the Treas
d, ury wiped out, II the Government woul
sell the Panama bonds. continue tn
, present war taxes and tax on sugar
, lower the lirnit on which incomes ar
4 taxed. and, perhaps. impose a STAN
l tax on checks.