New-York tribune., 1918-12-18
Senator's Speech Proves To
Be Very Mild Statement
of Objection to Measure
Rapid Progress Is Made
Ia Toilette Reserves Right
to Offer Substitute for
the Whole Act Later ON
Rv Theodore M. Knappen

WASHINGTON, Dec. FIN his
speech on the revenue bill in the SEN
sts to-day Senator Penrose contented
himself with very mild statement of
obiection to the provision for establish
;uc the taxation programme for 1920,
and urged the prompt passage Of the
bill.
Senator Simmons said at the opening
Of the session that every effort would
ac made to dispose of the bin before
Christmas, and urged Senator'S to give
,eir assistance TO that end.
Confirmation in d formal manner of
tie informally stated position of the
Republicans not to delay the passage
OF the bill. on account of their opposi-
ton to its projection into 1919, and
Mr.. Simmons's appeal for speed aroused
rope that the bill might be passed this
week, as adjournment will be taken
over Christmas on Saturday.
Rapid progress was made toward
ais. goal to-day in disposing of com
over by request on the first reading.
but the degree OF progress actually
attained will depend in some measure
on Senator La Toilette, who. having
previously asked to have consideration
ii much of the bill deferred, was not
eady to take up the passed over sec
ons as they were reread to-day.
May Have Substitute
Senator La Toilette said he would
either ask for consideration later of
the parts of .the bill he objects to, or
would offer substitute bill. However,
he did not Indicate any intention of
occupying a great deal Of time.
Review OF all of the passed over
paragraphs was completed to- day. but
in a number of cases consideration
Was still further deferred. The de-
erred matter includes ali references
o taxation for the year 1919, to which
The Republicans object, and also the
major part of the inheritance tax pro-
vision.
Practically without debate, the larger
PORTION Of the bill, including all its
chief and novel features-indvidua in
come surtax, corporation income, war
excess profits, remedial measures, etc
row stands approved and it is apparent
shat but few individual amendments
Ell be offered outside of what Senator
La Fallotte may propose.
Senator Penrose's statement of his
losition in regard to taxation after
this year was as follows:
The rates for future years cannot
ne determined now. Strongly as | feel
the necessity of reducing rates for the
future, do not believe that an attempt
to provide for the future should be
made in this bill
No One Knows Needs
The majority members of the COM
nlttee have written into the measure
rates for taxes to be collected mainly
IN 1920. No one knows, with the least
APPROXIMATION to accuracy, what the
revenue requirements of the govern
ment will be for 1920. No one can
surely predict the conditions which will
Follow during a period so stored with
great events. To just what extent
taxes can be reduced in the future,
and by what method, cannot now be
told,
These difficult questions should be
decided in the light of the latest and
most complete information as to actual
business conditions and revenue re-
qulrements. The only argument ad-
III laVoi OF tnlS legislation rOr
1he future Is that the taxpayer should
receive certain assurances as to his
situation for the following year, but
~ is impossible to give him any posi-
1--WE assurance when future conditions
are entirely unknown.
IN any event. every business man
~ the country knows that the taxes
imposed in this bill inevitably must
come down, no matter what happens,
and the only real question presented
Is as 10 the details and methods of tax
atlon. All but one, therefore. of the
minority members of the Finance Com
mittee have signed a report in favor
90 sa,a striking from the bill the special
iSls provisions and leaving it, so far