The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-01-19
FORDNEY, i'll,
LEADS TAX WAR
(From the Washington Bureau of the
Detroit Free Press.)

4 (From the Washington Bureau of tn,
|. Detroit Free Press.)
, Washington, Jan. 15.-Despite his
+ convalescent condition, Congressman
Joseph w. Fordney has come back to
, the capital from his home in Saginaw
where he has been sick, to lead the
Republican endeavor to prevent i'm
position of the automobile horse-pow-
er tax and other discriminatory ex-
clse imposts suggested" by Secre-
tary of the Treasury McAdoo and
threatened by the Democratic cong
ress in an effort to raise revenue to
meet the $3OO,0OO,OOO deficit.
Mr.. Fordney has not had time to
bring the Republican members of the
ways and means committee together
for drafting revenue bill to be offer
ed in opposition, but this will be done
shortly.
Tax for Business Profits.
The threatened impost on automo-
biles appears little less imminent,
temporarily, at least. Many Demo-
Gratis believe less unpopularity will
be incurred by raising the necessary
money from the per cent tax on ali
business profits in excess of 8 per
cent.
with this business profits tax, TO
yield $2OO,O00,O00, increase of the in
heritance tax by so per cent, the sale
of all Panama canal bonds and issu-
ance, If necessary, of "short term"
treasury notes to offset the deficit.
the administration leaders believe
they can handle the situation for the
next year without clapping on any
other suggested" direct taxes.
Mr.. Fordney's return was the sig
nal, OF course, for revival of the Cos
sip that has come from Michigan con-
cerning the activity in his behalf re-
garding the United States senatorial
primaries in 1918.
No Significance on Politics.
On the part of those who wish to
think there is a political crisis inn,
pending in Michigan, Mr.. Fordney,s
return Immediately after Senator
William Alden Smith s departure
from Grand Rapids is made the sub
Ject OF comment, but it can be said
with knowledge that there is no crisis
nor significance either in Senator
Smith S departure nor in Mr.. Ford
ney's return here.
Like any other man who has served
with distinction in the house of repre-
sentatives, Mr.. Fordney would be
pleased to round out his congression-
al career with the senatorship and he
is fully appreciative of the honor con-
terred upon him by his friends who
have urged his selection at the
1918 primaries. To that extent he
may be regarded as a potential aspir-
ant for the honor, but he is by no
means an "out and OUT candidate
Possibility of Big Field.
Announcement of the senatorial in
tentlons of others will have much TO
do with Mr.. Fordney's ultimate de-
clslon on the matter with especial ref
erence to the decision which Senator
Alden Smith will be making
some day. The feeling here is that.
should Senator Smith decide TO seek
he will have no opposi-
non, save possibly from Chase S. Os-
born; otherwise there may be a good
'ized field with at least three congress
'lonal entries, Representative Joseph
W. Fordney, Patrick II. Kelley and
edward l.. Hamilton, with possibly
fourth, Representative w. Frank
James, OF the upper peninsula TO op-
'ose Osborn in his own baliwick. In
ldditlon the fed presents former
ongressman Edwin DENLY, of De-
roit, and doubtless Others