Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-05-10
M'ADOO MUST
SHOW CONGRESS
NEED OF HASTE
Treasury Chiefs Plan For L m
mediate Laws to Increase
Revenues Meets Storm
Bv Associated Press

Washington, May 10.-Secretary
McAdoo's plans for immediate legis-
lation by Congr ess to increase war
revenues, announced last night, met
to-day with immediate and formida-
| BILE opposition.
After a conference to-day between
Pepr esentative Kitchen, majority
leader of the House, and chairman
of the Ways and Means Committee,
with Chairman Simmons and other.
| members of the Senate Finance
Committee. 1t was stated that reve-
nue. revision before next December l
is very doubtful"
The administration belief that
new revenue measures must be en-
acted at once to meet unexpected
increases in expenses was set forth
by Secretary McAdoo in a letter to
Senator Simmons, of North Caro-
lima, chairman of the Senate Finance
Committee, and a Treasury Depart
ment statement upon which the
amount of additional taxes and
bonds needed may be based proba-
bly, will go to Congress in the next
two or three days.
Leaders to-day indicated that an
extension of the present session to
deal with the question of new reve-
nues depended upon the impression
the Treasury Department statement
made. They admitted, however,
that If it demonstrated that it isses-
sential to act now instead of wait
ing until December, as planned,
there is little hope for adjournment
on July /.
Both Democrats and Republicans.
1t was said, are prepared to insist
! upon the administrators original
program of deferring tax revision
until the December session.
Unless Secretary McAdoo in the
statement of the country's financial
situaTson he is preparing for sub
mission to the Senate and House
committee chailmen conclusively
demonstrates that immediate action
is imperatively necessary, leaders of
both branches are prepared to insist
upon postponement.
IF there is BILL" Representa-
tive Kitchen said after his confer
ence with Senators to-day, the fell
lows who are profiteering right and
left on the war will feel it. The
taxes on excess profits and incomes
will be raised so high that there will
be little or no profiteering left in
the hands of those who are now get
ting rich off the war;
Representative Kitchen said until
Secretary McAdoo's statement is re-
ceived .he would withhold judgment
as to the necessity for immediate
legislation, although, he said, he
was in favor of revenue revision at
the present session of Congress and
only agreed Ito postpone action at
the request of the administration.
Doubt was expressed by Mr..
Kitchen that the. huge war appro-
priations made the basis for Secre-
tary McAdoo's opinion regarding
i.f1f1
any effect on the Treasury. He be-
lieyes that actual drafts under the
appropriations could not begin be-
fore next January
"If we proceed to pass a BILL"
Representative Kitchen said, lit
will hardly be completed much be-
fore the November eleoHons."
Senator Simmons, after Secre-
tary McAdoo's letter was laid before
the Senate committee to-day, an
nounced that he and Representa-
tive Kitchen planned to see the Sec
retary Tuesday. He also said he
hoped if any other action could be
taken by Congress to fortify the
Treasury until next winter, that rev.
enue legislation might be avoided
now.
Senator Simmons said it probably
would be suggested that the subject
go over for the present, permitting
an early adjournment of Congress
aud that the President might be
asked 20 summon Congress to return
in November for a special early ses-
sion to begin work on tax revision.
There is very, very strong oppo-
sition-both in the House and the
Senate committees and among the
membership, Senator Simmons said,
ito legislation at this time. 1t is
felt by those opposed to present ac-
ton that it would be unfortunate in
many respects. Those opposing ac-
ton now believe that Congress pro-
vided amply for the Treasury until
January 1 at least, possibly until
February, and could pass a new law
before demands from new appro-
pria tions become payable.
Another argument of those op-
posing legislation now is that it
would again disturb business. Bus
mess Is getting along very well now
and it is not desired to throw any
monkey wrench into it,"
A preliminary statement of the
revenue situation was expected from
the Treasury Department to-day,
Senator Simmons said