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 If KitChin
Forces Bolt.

On behalf Of the Republican members
of the Senate. President Wilson was
assured today that there would be no
fense program.
The assurance came from Senator
Jacob II. Gallinger, minority leader In
the upper branch of Congress. But
there was a condition imposed. Senator
GallinRer 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-
ministration's program as "imbecile."
Democrats Threaten Bolt.
With many Democrats under the
leadership of Majority Leader Claude
kitchih prociaiming their intention to
bolt from the Administration on these
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 Administrations shin
| purchase bill is concerned. Senator
| Galltnger declared that the Repubii
cans would reserve the right to oppose
IT, even " he conceded that the tying
up Q. I hsimeasure with the naval pre-
paredness program had made II some
| what more popular. The methods pro-
posed by the President for raising the
needed revenue, Senator Gallinger Is
taxes the President suggests, the sena.
tor favors bond issue with perhaps
an extension Of the scope OF The in
come tax, q stamp tax on checks. and
Sontlnuaton or 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 GallinEer said:
while ] have not studied the detailt
or the Administrations national defens,
program agree with the tohught anC
splrI IN which II was prepared. I as
may be some question as to the detail
OF the plan. the Republicans in In,
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 car
speak for nv colleagues when saw wv
shall honestly cooperate with them
The question Is not and should not b,
party one, and if the Democrats ar
willing to discuss Il In a non-partisaI
way. We shall be ready 70 meet then
halfway. We believe that the Govern
ment should have a reasonable an,
sane increase In its national defenses.
Plans For Revenue.
Regarding the ship purchase question
Senator Gallinger called attention I,
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. n
will offer as a substitute for the Ad
minlstration bill.
Regarding revenue. Senator Gallinge
said he strongly objected TO the pro
posed taxes on the horsepower of auto
mobiles and on gasolane; and well q
the taxes suggested by tho Presiden
on plR 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
ury wiped out, II the Government woul
sell the Panama bonds. continue tn
present war taxes and tax on sugar
lower the limit on which incomes ar
| taxed. and, peihaps, impose a STAN
/ tax on checks.