Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-02-22
ACTIVITIES OF
OUR LAWMAKERS
At WASHINGTON
Debate on Revenue Bill Occupies
Senator'S Time Especially Pro.
posal to Change Tax on Oleo-
Observation-Disclosures Train.
ing Bill Will Be Sent to Con-
gress This Week.

Washington, Feb. r.-The day In Con-
grcss was as follows:
scnate--Mct at 1890.
Foreign relations committee determined
that tho Colombian treaty urged by the
President could not be ratified this ses-
sion.
Naval appropriation bill carrying $780,.
100000 formally reported.
Recessed at 500 p. m. to 1870 q. M.
Thursday
House--Met at 11:00 l. m.
Considered prohibition and other SEN
ate amendments to the postohice appro-
priation bill.
Conference report on District Of Column
bia bill presented
lomatic appropriation bill and sont It to
conference
Accepted bone dry and other amend
ncnts to postoffice appropriation bill.
Continued in session during evening de-.
batting army appropriation bill.
Conference report on Indian approprA-
ton bill adopted
Adjourned at 1000 D. IA. to 1870 A. m.
Thursday
washington, Feb. N.-Debate on the
revenue bill continued to-day In the Sen
alto with most Of the time taken UP in q
discussion of Senator Underwood's pro.
posal to change the revenue TAI on oleo-
margarine. There WIS no voting on any
section OF tho measure.
Chairman Simmons OF the finance COM
mittce hopes to finish the measure to-
morrow. but republicans who expect to
discuss it at some length think a vote
hardly will be reached before Saturday.
UNDERWOOD SPEAKS FOR HOURS.
Senator Underwood spoke for several
hours In support Of his amendment. max.
ing fiat two-cent a pound tax on oleo
In place Of the present tax of ten cents
pound on colored and one-fourth cent
a pound on uncolored oleo. He said the
principal opposition to the proposal came
from the creamery trust" and that the
change would not only add about $3.50o. 900
TO government revenues. but would help
the poor man cut down the cost of living.
The federal internal revenue bureau. he
said. favors such change because Il
will remove the temptation now existing
to take uncolored oleo with it, low tax.
color It In violation OF the law and sell
1t at higher butter prices.
MINORITY REPORT BY PENRosE.
Before debate began Senator Penrose,
ranking republican on the finance COM
mittec. submitted a minority report on the
bill critcising democratic methods of
raising revenue and declaring that unless
the protective tariff was adopted a. 4
revenue raiser. the so-called emergency
taxes to be imposed by this bill and by
those previously passed Of similar char
acter. would be fastened on the PEG.
pie"
Senators McCumbcr and Penrose at.
tackled the Underwood amendment. de-
claring that II it passed colored butterine
would be thrown into the market In COM
petition with butter and that tho public
would be fooled without getting cheaper
food Senator Penrose also said many
States had oleomargarine regulation laws
which would be either broken down or
seriously interfered with by the proposed
legislation.
The Senate remained in session until
eight o'clock tonight without disposing
Of the amendment.
MILITARY BILL ON THE WAY.
Recent indications that the administra.
ton has determined to endorse tho broad
principle of general military training
were strengthened to-day when Secretary
Baker announced after a conference with
AScc'uoHI WILSON tnat a universal train.
ing bill drawn UP by the army general
stan and war college experts, would DO
sent to Congress later thie week.
1t is understood that neither tho
President nor Secretary Baker Is ready
to advocate the adoption Of the general
star bill or OF any other particular meas
ure.
Secretary Baker would not indicate
what recommendations II any will be
sent to Congress with the general stan
bill. The Senate military committee al
ready has reported a bill differing in sew
eral respects from the one before Secre-
tary Baker and it is expected that when
the annual army appropriation bill comes
before the Senate efforts will be made
to attach universal training provision
in some form.