The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-16
REVISION 0F WAR REVENUE BILL ID
 6 BILLIONS NOW
 SEEMS ASSURED

Washington, November b. Downward revision of the war revenue bill to about the six billion total recommended by Secretary McAdoo appears to be assured, members of the Senate finance committee said tonight, after Mr. McAdoo had personally explained to the committee suggestions as to fu- ture government financing made in his letter last night to Chairman Simmons.
 Some of the secretary's proposals, however. especially those to abandon ex- cess profit taxation and increase indi- viduai incofns taxes in 1920 met with strong opposition, senators said Repub- lican opposition to Mir. McAdoo's recoln- mendation for immediate specific limita- tion of taxes to s4;0Oo, oOo.ooo in 1920 also developed, but Senator Simmons said a majority of the committee favors it.
 OPPOSITION EXPECTED
 Because of the prospective republican control of both houses of Congress next March, republican opposition to limit ing taxation to two years hence was not unexpected, and a strong fight in both houses on this feature of the revenue bill is now considered probable If II develops it will be the first serious par tisan difference in the measures con- sideration.
 In a statement tonight regarding MT McAdoo's conference with the commit tee. Chairman simmons said the secre- tary's estimates of $ls.00o. 000,000 of gov ernment expenditures next year and or probable reductions by 1920 which would make possible reduction of the tax bill Ito about $4000, 0,tOO largely are guess plete information.
 The slS,000, ,000,000 estimate said Sena- tor Simmons, lis nothing but an esti- mate and, according to Secretary Mo- Adoo, not much more than an enlight- .ened guess It was guessed at after re- ceipt of all information available at this time The war. nay and other depart menis can not now give any absolutely reliable statement of their requirements and do not know what they can Top off.
 ALLIED LOANS PROBABLE
 Neither is it known whether we must continue advances to the allies, but the estimates are based upon the assumption that we will.
 '.But with these estimates. Secretary McAdoo thinks if we raise $ 000, ,000,000 by taxation he can finance the government fr ! Regarding MT McAdoo's estimate for reduction of taxation for 1920 to s400o.O0o, : 000, Chairman Simmons added
 The secretary believes it to be ot the highest importance that business be advised in advance as toswhat taxes 1t will have to pay. He thinks that if that is not done, with "a special session of Congress next year to enact revenue legislation it would take or months and be near the end of the year be- fore people would know what they would have to pay.'
 Regarding the plan to abolish excess profits and to increase individual in come taxes by 1920 Senator Simmons said Secretary McAdoo based his recoin- mendations on the opinion that it is diff ficult to fix a satisfactory excess profits tax. Such tax. Secretary McAdoo said, is inherently undesirable, a burden upon business, in essence consumption, tax and in the nature of an income tax
 MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS
 Senator simmons would not estimate how much longer the committee will re- quire to revise the bill. He said it might take several weeks or only one or two. Other members however. said in- corporation Of Mir. McAdoo's suggestions would virtually require redrafting of the entire measure. The finance commit tee will meet tomorrow to begin it's work.
 There is . general sentiment in the committee that many ,Of the special ex- else taxes, including those on luxuries, should be stricken from the bill. Modi- fication of other schedules also is fav- ored, but most members agree that the course of future revision be definitely determined until the transition of the country from war to peace basis is further advanced.