The Washington times., 1915-12-14
House Democrats to Postpone
Other Revenue Legislation
Until After Holidays.
QUESTION "GHosT" TO PARTY
Rule to Insure Passage of
Measure II Republicans
Adopt DiIatory Tactics.

Rouse Democrats are committed today
70 an extension Cor one wear OF the
war revenue" bill. which was sched.
nlec to expire by limitation on Decen1-
her II. At a party Caucus last night,
the democrats. beset by cries for revn-
nue, determined to OFFER a resolution ex-
tending this law for twelve months and
TO POSTPONE other revenue Hesitation
until after the Christmas holidays.
Majority Leader Kitchin said he would
oNcr today a resolution extending the
war revenue" act. This resolution
probably will be brought bacl, into the
House by the WAYS ane Means Commit
tee tomorrow. a M, Mr. Kitchin will ask
for IT'S adoption Thursday.
II Republicans attempt to impede the
progress Of the resolution. the Demo-
Gratis will seek O rule. as it Is desired
TO extend the war revenue" bill before
Congress adtourns over Christmas.
Recess May Begins Saturday.
II the extension resolution is approved
in the House and the Senate-.and it is
expected Republicans will merely re-
cord their opposition to such continued
taxes and not resort to filibuster-
the Christmas recess will be taken on
Saturday. Congress will rcconvene jan
uary 3 or 4.
The caucus last night was a rather
sad affair from the party standpoint.
Probably no Democrat present wanted d
10 extend the war tax" bill for an
other year. but there was nothing else
to do.
Mr.. Kitchin told a rather depressing
story about revenues. He estimated
that even with the extension of this
act and the retention of a duty on
sugar. the sum Of S125, 00O 900 must still
be raised to meet the running expenses
OF the Government and the national de-
tense program.
Party leaders sidestepped considera.
tion Of supplementary legislation. There
were loud cries Of What about a tax
on gasolene?" and What about a tax
on bank checks?" as suggested in the
Presidents message. but Mr.. Kitchir
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.
It 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
rue program could be worked out NOR,
advantageously after the naval anc
military program Is completed.
The majority leader made no attempt
however. to minimize the seriousness o
the situation. and reminded the Demo
Gratis that no matter how distastefu
the taxation measures may be the!
must be passed.
Two members. Galloway OF Texas AM
Heating Of Colorado. We're absolve'
from obedience to the caucus mandate
They said they had promised their con
stituents never to vote for anothe
stamp tax. such as that imposed by tn
aud Wingo may also decline to vote 70
the bill. owing TO similar pledges AM
their own opposition to such taxes.
60 Democrats Absent.
There were about sixty Democrats alb
sent from the caucus last night. and
cannot be foretod how many will re
fuse to stand hitched at the wa
revenue post But the Democrats eX
tension resolution through, and the
will come the real revenue fight, whe
the majority party goes about raisin
that Sl25 900. 100. exclusive of the $50.
100000 which the retained duty on suga
will produce.
Congressman Cordell Hull. author o
the income tax section of the Under
wood law. is studying the inheritanC
tax laws Of various States and Eu
ropean countries.
A Federal inheritance tax is one rcI
eu,ie suggc sticn bein@ con sidcrcd b.
the Democrats. Mr.. Han $aih nothim.
had been decided about the rcTerC
program, but he regarded a Federal il.
herltance tax as practicable, athouSj
a number Of the Stat have inheritanC
taxes. There is considerable opposition
10 the inheritance tax idea and tho Ad
ministration is not strong" for it.
The fact, however, that NJ. Hun. III
income tax expert Of the Ways AN
Means Committee, is "readng up" c!
inheritance tax laws, shows the seri
BUSINESS of the revenue situation an
means, there is n possibility of such
tax. Mr Hull is likewise investigatin
The fieXihility of the income tax. wit