The Washington times., 1917-01-26
Revolt Is Threatened on Admin
istration Measure in Party
Caucus Tonight.
MAY BE SPIRITED AFFAIR
Opponents of Military Program
Will Lead Attack in Party
ConcIaYe.

An attempt to defeat the Admins
! tration's emergency revenue bill will
be made when Democrats of ths
House caucus tonight on the measure
drafted by the majority of the Was
| and Means Committee. Anti-prepar-
edness Democrats, who object to levy
ing more than 5000. OO0. 900 in taxes
to care for enormous expenditures on
the army and navy, will lead the
party revolt
. The caucus tonight promises to be
spirited affair. 1t is not believed
the party split can prevent approval
of the bill as a caucus measure. but
the pacifist Democrats lined up tn ,ir
forces today for a verbal battle. II
is planned that a resolution shall be
offered to instruct the committees IN
charge of the preparedness bills To
prune down these measures. so that
no revenue legislation will be. necss-
sary.
Big Increase In Military Bills.
According to one of the leaders Of
the insurgent movement, 1t is now
estimated the naval, military and
fortifications bills soon to be con-
sidered in the House will carry an
aggregate Uotal OF S195, 100000 more
than similar measures carried at the
last session.
"If 1t were not for these enormous
appropriations for so-called prepared
ness" said one OF the opponents If
the revenue bill, eft would not be
necessary to enact revenue legislA-
tion to raise approximately 100000
900 by additional taxation on inheri-
tances and excess profits. II the
committees can be instructed to con-
fine the preparedness measures tn
the totals OF the last session, no such
tax need be levied.
Is Basis Of Argument.
Opposition to the revenue bill in
caucus will be predicated on that
argument The increased approprIs-
tions for preparedness and the
amount Of revenue needed practically
offset one another. Without excessive
expenditures upon the army, navy
and fortifications. we could get along
without this revenue bill"
II its expected the fight on the
revenue biz will be led in the eau
Gus by Congressman Robert n. Page,
of North Carolina; Edward W. Saun-
ders, Of Virginia. Warren W. Bailey, OF
Pennsylvania, and edward Heating.
of Colorado. The House leaders de-
cided to hold q caucus to bind all
Democrats to support the measure,
and, IL outvoted in caucus, the pacif-
list members must fall into line for the
bill, unless they specifically give no
tice that they desire to be absolved
from the caucus mandate. The Re
publicans are expected to vote soldily
against the revenue bill.
KIIchIn Expects Fight.
Chairman nitchin expects a stiff
fight against the bill as prepared by
the majority OF the Ways and Means
Committee, but expects eventual &C
ceptance Of the Administration meas
ure. Mr.. Kitchin himself occupies
a peculiar position in the revenue
IICht. He has consistently opposed
large appropriations for military pur-
poses but as the chairman of the
Ways and Means Committee will be
forceu to defend the revenue bill as
necessary legislation in view of the
appropriations already made and in
prospect for the army and navy.
Congressman Thomas Heflin of Ala
bama, gave notice today that he
would offer in caucus or on the floor
OF ,ne House an amendment to the
revenue bill taxing cotton futures
contracts He asserted in a formal
statement that the idea appealed to
Chairman Kitchin.
says Market Was Depressed.
Il have had a conference with Sen
ator Smith, Of South Carolina" said
Mr Heflin. at which we discussed the
charge that certain manipulators and
So nners had conspired through the
use OF unlawful means on the stock
exchange to depress the price OF cot
ton. The break in cotton on the New
York and New Orleans exchanges a
few days ago was without warrant
or excuse. II was accomplished by
circulating false rnmors and an un-
lawful manipulation OF. the futures
market-and all this in the face OF a
short crop.
Would Raise $:5.OoO.OOO.
1T is estimated we can raise S25.-
OOO.O in revenue by taxing certain
cotton futures contracts in the reve.
nue. bill and an amendment will he
offered. The bear manipulations such
as occurred last week should not he