Perth Amboy evening news., 1917-05-17
SENATORS IN HOT ATTACKS
ON PRESIDENT WILSON

Washington, May IA bitter battle
over the revenue bill in the house and
sharp attacks on the president and the
administration in the senate stirred Of
ficial Washington. The house made the
first change In the revenue bill by vot-
ing In committee OF the whole to in
crease the surtax on large incomes.
Those OF from $4,000 to 100000 were
raised from 8 per cent to 10 per cent
This amendment, offered by Repre-
sentative Lenroot, Republican, Of Wis
consin, was adopted, 9S to 81. 1t Is, OF
course, subject to a roll call vote.
This action marked vigorous move.
ment to increase the proposed income
surtaxes % per cent on all amounts
above $4,000 under the leadership OF
Mr.. Lenroot and Representative Sher.
Icy, Democrat, OF Kentucky.
1t was over the determined opposi.
tlon of Democratic Leader Kitchin and
Representatives Fordney of Michigan
and Hill of Connecticut, Republicans,
that the insurgents succeeded In OBJ
tanning their proposed increase from
$4,000 and $50, 900, and today they re.
sumed their fight, determined to ele-
yate every division until incomes above
$4,000 pay almost GO per cent.
WoaId Cut Other Taxes.
Should the proposed increase prevail
there will be an attempt to strike from
the bill the proposed freight, light and
heat taxes aud possibly the increased
second class mail matter rate. Unoffi-
cial estimates are that the proposed Is
per cent increase would net approx
mately $10O, ,e00, 900.
Party lines. were obllterated at the
outset Of the fight. Appeals of Repub-
'iican and Democratic ways and means
committee members for support seem
ed to fall on deaf ears on both sides Of
the house.
Representative Kitchin assailed all
suggested income tax rate increases
over the committee recommendation.
He insisted that support Of such pro-
posals came only from those who
sought to serve certain interests and
not to lower taxes generally.
II haven't heard any one here object
to the taxes on necessities" he shouted.
THE only taxes 1t is proposed to de-
crease are those ON second class mail
matter, automobiles and other luxu-
ries."
Wilson Attacked In Senate.
Latent feeling, due to the belief that
the administration was not pursuing an
energetic war policy, bubbled over be-
hind the closed doors Of the senate
when the bill appropriating s., 800 ,000,-
900 for extraordinary expenses of the
army and navy was under considera-
tion. After the doors were opened the
atmosphere was still warm and there
were additional criticisms of the ad-
ministration, although tempered to the
restrictions of publicity.
Led by Senator Lodge, attacks were
made on President Wilson, the cabinet
and Council of National Defense.
Senators accused the administration
Of having tried to jam through congress
huge appropriation bills without taking
either the senate or the house into its
confldencs ~ to what was to be done
with the money.
The senate wanted facts as to what
had boen done BY the president and
other ofiiciais and what they expected
to do, Senators said they did not want
to be kept In the dark about the presi-
dents war policy when they were call
ed upon to provide the largest approprI-
alton in the country's history.