The Washington times., 1915-12-13
CAUCUS FIGHT.
IS LIKELY ON.
WAR REVENUE
Democrats to Choose Between
Year of Life for Bill or In
definite Extension.

The Democrats Of the House will en-
gage tonight in a skirnfsh preliminary
to the session on the vital question OF
revenue. Indications today are the sit
uation will be met temporarily by the
extension of the war revenue bill'' for
another year and the main battle over
revenue will come after the Christmas
recess.
It is virtually imperative that before
the holiday recess Congress shall ex-
tend the war revenue bill. This meas
ure is to expire by limitation on De-
cember 81, and the failure virtually to
re-enact would cost about 500 900
per year.
Secretary McAdoo is understood to
have suggested that the war revenue
act be extended indefinitely, instead
OF amended to read that it shall be-
come non-effective a year hence.
Question Sent To Caucus.
When the suggestion Of the Secretary
was broached to Democratic members
OF the Ways and Means Committee.
however. there was no stampede in its
favor and a party caucus was deter
mined upon to talk over the revenue
situation.
There Is a possibility that the pro-
posal to retain / cent per pound duty
on sugar-which Is to go on the free
list next May-will be considered to-
night. The chances are that the Demo-
Gratis will postpone consideration OF the
matter, of sugar until after the hol-
days, although 1t is generally admitleu
that the sugar duty must be retained.
Two resolutions are likely to go pc
fore the caucus tonight-one that tIe
war revenue bill be given an au1i
IF
time limit clause be stricken OUT en-
tirely, which would put the law on the
statute books indefinitely.
Must Raise $1OO,0H0,O0O.
Neither proposition is exactly pleas
ing to the Democrats, who have 20
cast about for a hundred millions o.
SO even IL this bill is extended and tn
tax Is kept on sugar. The national de-
Tense program and the general needs
OF the Government IL Is estimated.
will make it necessary to raise at
least 100000, 900 by supplementary
revenue legislation which must ne
undertaken soon after Congress re
convenes in January.
OF the two propositions for the i'm
mediate consideration OF the caucus,
the one year extension of the war
revenue bill seems in favor today. An
indefinite extension frightens the
Democrats
1t is understood that Secretary Me
Adoo has suggested to Mr.. kitchin.
the majority leader of the House, that
the latter course be pursued. When
Mr.. Kitchin transmitted this sugge'-
tion to his colleagues on the Ways and
Means Committee there Immediately
arose opposition to any move which
would give the war revenue bill the
appearance of a permanent law.
Year of Life Predicted.
hal ~
Ntical effect of such action and 1t was
determined to present the issue
sQuarely to the caucus.
1t will be argued in the caucus thac
the better policy will be to adopt q
resolution giving the war revenue bill
merely another year of life. 1nflu-
ential Democrats predicted today that
the caucus would favor this plan,
rather than proposal to give per-
manency to the law.
The Democratic leaders do not seek to
escape the fact that the revenue bill
must be extended and that supplement
tary revenue legislation must come
carry in the present session. Neverthe-
less the political effect of resolution
extending indefinitely the war revenue
act-whiCh produces about 500 .OOO. 900 an
nually by stamp taxes and special in
ternal revenue taXation-is feared by
the party leaders. and one of them pre-
an amendment providing the act shall
be given another year Of operation.
Filibuster Not Expected.
1t is not intended that the caucus
shall consider national defense and the
supplementary revenue legislation
which must be enacted to meet pre-
paredness appropriations and to restore
a safe balance in the Treasury. There is
probability. however. that prepared
ness and revenues will be given discus
sion as both issues will become acute
Immediately after Congress reconvenes
following the holiday recess
Democrats do not expect any great
amount of Republican fiibustering
against a proposal to extend the war
revenue bill for one year 1t is hoped
to get a resolution through both the
Senate and House during the week,
which will permit of an adjournment
over the holidays on next saturday.
congress is not disposed to work after
that date. as the President will be
married December IS, and his forth
coming absence from Washington will
preclude the signing of any bills even
we're Congress to pass them after that
date.