Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-14

O'Clock tonight, general DEBATE naO
closed and the leaders had agreed to
begin discussion of amendments under
the five-minute rule at II o'clock to-
morrow morning. The vote probably
will be taken early in the afternoon.
The Amendments
Amendments approved today by Sec
rotary McAdoo to limit specifically dis
tribution of the proposed 5000, COOS 900
foreign LOAF which the bill would au-
thorize to countries actually at war
with Germany and only during hostil-
tiles will be added to the measure.
Absence of partisan spirit marked
the debate. Democratic Leader Kitch-
in and Representative I'ordney of
Michigan, who for years have battled
from opposite sides of the House on
financial questions, particularly the
tariff. were the principal supporters of
the measure. Efforts to inject political
discussions into the debate and swerve
the leaders off on the tariff and other
issues were unavailing.
They went straight ahead urging al
ways the necessity Of immediate action.
An ovation was accorded Mr.. kitchin
when he opened debate in behalf Of tho
bill. He explained that the measure car
ried a proposed bond issue Of 500. 0oO, COZ
out of the proceeds of which 5000. COCO
was TO be loaned to the Allies with their
bonds as security. the remaining s2,0pl,QH0,-
COO obtained from the sale of bonds to be
added to the proceeds Of a proposed ST.
con. 000, N0 certificate Of Indebtedness issue
and expended In the prosecution Of the
war by the United States. All Of the Is
sues will carry 81 per cent. interest, There
were many interrogations as to what rate
was to be allowed for tho Allies bonds,
some of which now are selling below par.
whether American brokers arc to he per
mitted TO reap enormous commissions for
selling the bonds. ana what opportunity
the small Investors will have to buy
bonds. Mr.. EAchin responded that details
Of tho sales would he left with the Pres
ident and the secretary of the treasury
and he was certain that they would han
die them wisely and cXpoditiOusiy. This
appeared to satisfy the qucstioners.
Besides insuring immediate passage
of tho measure Rep. 1'ordney gave
some limitations about the taxes like
'ly to he levied to help pay the war
debt. While nothing definite has been
settled. hc said he favored lowering the
income tax exemption to $500 for sim
gle and $500 for married men, taxing
amuscments. raising the first and sec
ond class postal service rates. and in
crcasing the taxes on whislley and beer.
Representative Shirley Of Kentucky
discussed the probable cost of tho war
and said in reality it would be less Of
a tax burden than was the cost of the
civil war.
This proposed authorization" he
said, would increase tho bonded in
debtedness of the country to So, AS, 900
900. While that debt is far greater
than that with which VIC came out Of
the Civil war. the strain of dis%charging
it will be less"
Only one man, Rep. Caraway Of Ar
kansas fatty opposed the bill. He in
sisted hat the entire burden should be
thrown upon the wealth of the country
Immediately. Caraway distressed from
finances to oppose the proposed con-
scription measure.
Representative Gardner Of Massachu-
sets, who long has urged entrance of
this country into the war, predicted
passage of the CONSUMPTION measure.
"If the President sits tight" he said.
"he will get his army draft bill
through by a big majority"