Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-12-11
BEGINNING 0f DEBATE
 BY SIMMONS
'Penrose Spoke for Repub- licans Attacking 1920 Schedule Followed by All Except LaFollette.

Washington, Dec 10-Debate on the revised war revenue bill began in the senate today with the presentation of the majority and minority reports from the senate finance committee be- fore a small attendance of senators. The measure has been given right of way and, because of Republican oppo- stion to the fixing of 1920 taxes, dis cussion is expected to continue al most indefinitely
 Chairman Simmons opened debate by presenting the majority views on the legislation. while Senator Penrose spoke for the Republican members, except Senator LafOllette of WiscOn- sin attacking the 1920 taxation plan. Senator Thomas, of Colorado. Demo- crat, presented an individual report criticising the excess profits and in heritance tax features; and Senator Shoot of Utah. Republican, plans to file an individual statement tomorrow. Later Senator Lafolette will also pres ent his views.
 Senator Simmons completed his statement today and in defending the 1920 tax provisions, declared Amer ican business interests are entitled to know what tax burdens they will be called upon to bear during the period of reconstruction. He asked if the Republicans, advocating postponment of the 1920 legislation, desired to keep the question in abeyance solely in order that the next congress, con trolled by Republicans, may handle the matter.
 The minority report, while express ing general approval of the 1920 tax program, declared that extension of the Legislation to 1920 is without justi- fication. Senator PenrOse said future conditions are too uncertain and in formation at hand insufficient for congress now to fix the schedules for 1920. He added, however, that tax re- auctions in that year, are a foregone conclusion.
 Besides the Republican opposition to the 1920 program, several features of the bill relating to 1919 taxation meet with the disapproval of individ ual senators and many amendments are to be offered Opposition already is developing to the elimination of the so-called luxury taxes, while increase of the individual income surtax, cor poration and war excess profits rates also is to be proposed.
 In his statement today, Senator Simmons discussed briefly the child labor and second class postage rate amendments to the bill.
 Regarding the amendment repeating the present zone system, for second class mail. and substituting rate of one cent a pound for the first 150 miles from the place of mailing and 1 1-2 cents beyond, Senator Simmons said the senate all along had been op- posed to the zone system and that members of the committee consequent tly felt justified in repeating the sys- tenn through an amendment 10 the revenue measure.
 The war revenue bill, revised to yield approximately six billion dollars for the peace expenses of the govern. ment next year and carrying imposts which will insure taxes amounting to four billion dollars in 1920, was be- fore the senate today for debate. A minority report generally approv- ing the 1919 tax plan but strongly Op posing the bills 1920 provisions was presented by Senator Penrose of Penn- sylvania, ranking committee Repub- lican. It was signed by all Republi- can members except Senator La Fol- lette of Wisconsin, who is preparing to submit separate report. A separate minority report also was filed by Senator Thomas of Colo rado. Democrat. opposing the excess profits and inheritance tax proposals although approving other major fea- lures of the bill