Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-11
GREAT WAR TAX
BILL GOES BACK
FOR CONFERENCE
Senator Penrose Explains Re-
publican Attitude on
Measure
By Assoeiated Press

Washington, Sept. 1.-THE big
war tax bill was to-day back in the
hands of the House following its pas
sage by the Senate last night. The
measure passed the House May %,
and now goes to conference. The
Senate added more than $50O,0OO,-
900 to the bill.
1t is hoped that the differences
between the two houses may be set
tied within two weeks, after which
the bill will be laid before President
Wilson for his signature.
The Senate approved the bill 69
to 4, the negative votes being cast
by Senators Borah, Gronna, LaFol-
lette and Norris. The action came
after the high tax group had again
sought to secure the adoption OF
Senator LaFollette's substitute. 1t
was voted down 65 to 10.
The war revenue bill, providing
for a levy somewhat under $2,4OO,-
600, 900, the largest tax measure in
the history of the world was passed
by the Senate last night.
That the Republicans in the Senate
have made no effort to project poll
tics into the bills consideration is
indicated by the fact that with the
exception of the four named every
Republican Senator Joined with the
majority in passing IT.
Kills Consumption Taxes
Then the Senate voted So to 2S to
strike out all consumption taxes in
the bill, including those on sugar,
tea and cocoa, all designed to raise
100000.
BY a vote of 81 to 27 the clause
levying two cents a pound on co1ee
and its substitutes and designed to
raise S,500,000, was stricken out.
The Senate adopted 40 to "a Sen
ator Smoots motion to strike out the
McKellar amendment providing
zone increase in second class postage
rate beyond 800 miles and designed
to secure S12, 100000. The House
zone provision and the finance com
mittee's special publishers profits
provisions already had been elimi-
mated.
Senator Owens amendment pro-
viding for tax ranging from one per
cent. to inheritances of 100000 TO
100 per cent. on those over $g5,OOO,-
900 was rejected by vote OF OIL
to 80.
The Jones amendment, revised by
the committee to levy ten per cent.
tax upon corporations unditributed
surplus, was adopted on viva Voce
vote. A substitute by Senator Jones
to eliminate an exemption in the
committees clause of income actual
| ly invested and employed was defeat
ed As to 50.
Senator LaFoliette's substitute
war tax bill. proposing to raise about
$500, 900, 900 solely from income,
war profits, liquor and tobacco was
rejected. 65 to Is.
Republican Attitude
| Senator Boies Penrose in state
ment Tonight made 1t clear that he
and other Republican Senator'S while
considering the taxes too high had
put aside their personal views ano
had supported the bill entirely as q
war measure. Senator Penrose SAID
THE revenue bill is the result o.
over two months exhaustive ana pa
tient consideration by the tlhahC'
Committee and more than one montI
| on the floor of the Senate. Durlnt
this period the ablest men in the
business world have been in Wash
ington and conferred freely wltf
members of the committee and othel
Senators. Much valuable Information
has been received in this way par
ticularly by the committee. An eltor'
has been made to eliminate many
objectionable features and make the
hill as satisfactory as possible TO the
majority. at the same time providing
lar adequate amount of revenue
Much work remains to be done pS
the conference committee.
"The report of the majority of the
Finance Committee was opposed bS
n certain element in the Senate whe
nroposed to raise taxes to the pom,
of confiscation, but after prolonged