New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-08
REPRISAL CUT
BY CONGRESS
Representatives Pass
Revenue Bill Ad-
journment To-day.
from The Tribune Bureau J


Washington, Sept. THE House
and Senate passed the revenue bill to-
night, but only after the conferrees
had drawn the longest teeth of the
reprisal measures aimed at Great
Britain. The House unanimously
adopted concurrent resolution pro-
viding for adjournment of Congress
at 10 o'clock tomorrow, but the SEN
ate delayed action until it reconvenes
at o'clock in the morning
The Phelan amendment, regarded as
the most drastic of the retaliatory
amendments, was stricken out after the
conference committee was informed by
Secretary Lansing that it was too likely
to produce international complications.
Empowering the President to retail
ate against Allied mails and business
transactions in this country, where
American mails had been neld up and
censored abroad, this measure was be-
leved to 90 too far in interference
with undoubted British rights as to
censorship.
The provision barring Canadian
halibut and salmon from Pacific Coast
ports also was struck out by the con-
ference committee to-day, following a
visit to Washington of the Canadian
Minister for External Affairs. II was
feared this provision might lead TO
retaliation from Ottawa on the Allan
tic Coast fisheries.
The al m IN fior ic takan chouir q,
that the Administration did not wish
to embark in even minor CONNER
cial war. With the Thomas amend
ment, however, still included, officials
declare the revenue bill will carry
teeth" enough to bring about conces-
sions from the Entente.
Pass Bill Quickly.
Eager for final adjournment, the
House passed the revenue bill after
less than an hours discussion. few
mildly curious questions, and some
frankly intended as humorous, took
the place Of the fireworks which many
had expected.
The bitter feeling which has ex-
listed ever since IL became apparent
that the copper tax had been finally
eliminated, at the demands, it was
charged. Of a powerful copper lobby
and also a few Democratic Senators
hoping for reelection in doubtful cop
per producing states, was CLOSED over.
Even Claude Kitchin, Democratic
floor leader, whose private comments
20 his colleagues as TO why the copper
tax could not be retained in the bill
would make better literature for the
Republican than for the Democratic
National Committee, was suave and
smiling tonight as he answered ques-
tions az TO why the tax had been sur
rendered by the Representatives Of the
House in the conference.
"You must not question me too
closely about the reasons advanced in
conference by the Senators for cutting
out this tax" he replied to Republican
Leader Mann.
"Has the opinion Of the Democratic
leader and the House conferrees been
changed by the arguments brought for
ward by the Senator's" inquired the
Republican leader.
"It has not" retorted Mr.. Kitchin,
"but the Senators simply would not
yield"
Tar on Munitions.
Mr. Kitchin explained that the House
had also Welded on the tax on NUM-
tions manufacturers, making the tax
1871 per cent on the profits, instead OF
n percentage Of the gross sales, as pro-
vided by the House. The Senate pro
vision had been 10 per cent on the
profits. -,
How is that profit to be deter