Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-12
DEMOCRATS AGREE
ON REVENUE BILLS.
Slight Changes by Senators in
House Program; River and
Harbor Fight

Washington, d. c., Feb. 12.-Demo-
cratic senators have reached an agree
ment on revenue legislation, the cau-
Gus, after three sessions which lasted
until to-day, finally approved, with
amendments. the bill passed by the
House to provide approximately $780,
o0O.00O additional ravenue to meet the
anticipated treasury deficit. The
House to provide revenue to meet the
through additional taxes on inheri-
tances and excess profits" and for
bond issue of $780, 100000 to pay for
the Danish West Indies, Alaska rail-
aoad> and other expenses, were modi-
fled only slightly.
The "eXceSs profits" tax on corpo-
rations and partnerships was limited
by the caucus to expire automatically
In four years. Also, an amendment by
senator salisbury, OF Delaware, was
inserted providing that the present tax
OF IL re per cent on munitions makers
profits shall end in six, instead of
twelve months, after peace is declared.
another amendment requested by the
munitions manufacturers and proposed
by Senator Salisbury, which was ap-
proved by the caucus, provides that
the 12k per cent. taxes shall first be
deducted from their profits before the
extra per cent tax is computed.
No Hope for Webb Bill
The caucus rejected an amendment
by Senator Lewis, of Illinois, to add
the Webb exporters cooperative bill
as a rider" to the revenue bill. This
action, Senator Lewis declared, prob
ably would prevent passage of the
webb bill at the present session. OPP
position of Senator's La Toilette. Cum
minis, Reed and Vardaman to the Webb
bill, Chairman Simmons and others
told the caucus, might cause fill
buster, which would endanger the
revenue measure.
The House provisions for taxation
OF insurance companies was modified
by an amendment to exempt mutual
companies from the excess profits"
tax If the profits are distributed to
policyholders where they can be
reached by the income tax law.
The caucus pledged all Democratic
senators to support the entire revenue
bill as amended, except that they are
left unpledged on Senator Underwoods
provision to reduce the tax on oleo-
margarine from 10 to cents a pound
This will be threshed out finally in the
Senate.
To Fight Rivers and Harbors Bill
Other matters being pressed in the
Senate are the railroad labor legis-
lation bill; the bill giving the Presi-
dent authority to take over the rail-
roads in time of war or threatened
war; the flood control, rivers and har-
bors and oil land leasing bills. SEN
will fight the SAG, 100000 rivers and
harbors bill and urge the adoption of
substitute in the form of reso-
luton appropriating a lump sum of
approximately 100000 to be ex-
pended at the discretion of the War
Department on existing projects.
Water power, corrupt practices and
M ht1f1 ltr,er A. 1.
effectually blocked so far as this ses-
sion is concerned.
Agitation by Secretary Lane In favor
of the long disputed mineral lands
leasing bill has revived interest in that
measure and another effort to get
some sort of a. bill through will be
made.
Expect "Leak" Report This Week
The House rules committee will
make report on its leak" investi-
cation during the last of the week.
Hearings, particularly directed to pri-
vate wire houses. will be resumed in
New York Wednesday, and, it is ex-
committee will return here to frame
the report.
Present indications are that there
will be majority and a minority re-
port. Some committeeman are con-
vinced that the two newspapermen,
who have admitted advising brokers
In advance of the coming of the Presi-
dents note, constitutes whatever
leak" there was. They do not think
anyone in official life revealed advance
information on the note. But others,
including most of the Republicans and
some Democrats, 1t is said, still sus-
pect that the newspapermen were only
the conducts"
Insistence of certain members of the
IN
was connected with the leak" is keep
ing Sherman L. Whipple, counsel to
the committee, busy with no particular
end in view. Mr.. Whipple is believed
to be satisfied to close the inquiry now,
but he is investigating every vague
to satisfy all members of the commit
tee, if possible.
Preparedness Bills
Work on preparedness bills is pro-
crossing steadily. Tuesday the House
will pass the naval appropriation bill,
together with amendments urged. by
Secretary Daniels, providing authority
to commander shipyards and mu-
milton plants and appropriating
100000 for the purchase of basic
patents of aircraft. When this is done
the army appropriation bill carrying
approximately $300,O0O,000 will be put
through as quickly as possible.
emergency measures awaiting ac-
tion in the Senate include espionage
and conspiracy bills recommended by
the Attorney General and amendments
to the shipping laws giving the gov
ernment authority to commander
vessels being built in this country for
foreign owners in time of war or
threatened war.
Wednesday Congress will meet in
joint session to count the electoral vote
of the November election for Presiden+
and Vice. President of the United