The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-17
G. DECIDES
ON ECONOMIES
AND REFORMS
Tax Cuts and Higher Tariff
in Plans of House Steer
ing Committee.
CAUCUS TO FAVOR THEM
Suffrage Bill to Pass, Luxury
Imposts to Go and Budget
System Favored.
CAUCUS TO FAVOR THEM
Ssecsel ps.refcA 70 rrr sun.

Ssecsei DsspsfcA 20 TEz SUT.
WASHINGTON. May 1e.--The course
to be pursued by the Republican lead
ers was mapped out to-day by the
Steering Committee OF the House, Of
which Representative Mondell (wyo)
! Is chairman. and just the formality Of
final action by the committee and by
the caucus tomorrow night remains.
The only big question neglected by
! the programme to be followed are the
future policy respecting the army and
navy and the Investigations into
wanton waste and extreme extrava-
gance Of the Democratic party while
it held the upper hand in Congress.
The sum and substance Of the Re
publican programme is this:
Immediate passage Of tire regular
appropriation bills. action on which
has been postponed two and a half
months by the refusal OF the Presi-
dent to call Congress earlier.
Immediate return Of the telephone
and telegraph lines to private opera
tIon.
Early action on the proposed
amendment to the Constitution e.
granting suffrage to women
Maintenance Of q policy of rigid
governmental economy.
Establishment Of a budget system
for handling national appropr iations.
Immediate consideration OF legisla-
ton for the solution OF the railroad
and shipping problems.
Immediate repeal OF the luxury
, taxes.
Reduction OF taxes and legisla-
ton on the tarif to raise greater
revenues and to protect industries,
particularly those which have grown
up since the beginning Of the war
Immediate consideration of legisla-
tion providing for taking care Of
returning soldiers.
Programme Not Restricted.
The adoption OF this programme by
tho Republican CAUCUS tomorrow night
which is a foregone conclusion-does
not mean. It was explained to-day by
members Of the Steering Committee. that
restrict Its legislative programme to
the subjects enumerated.
It was felt that TO avoid the charge
OF attempting to emoarrass the Admin
istration the regular supply bills must
be acted upon frst. as many arc effee-
tive on July l. OF the necessity of taxi
I ing the telephone and telegraph systems
out OF the hands of the Administration
there was not the least doubt in the
Steering Committee and little opposition
to this measure Ii expected even In the
minority party on account OF tho mess
already brought about by Postmaster
General Burleson.
Suffrage Is to be made q party meas
ure, and It's passage through the House
tually certain. The House action may
be sufficlent to swing the Senate.
Legislation on the shipping policy will
not be enacted until after the utmost
consideration has been given to every
phase of It by committees.
Consumption Taxes May Go Toe.
The repeal Of the luxury taxes has
been demanded constantly since the last
tax bill became law. and the Republican
party in the House may not only repeal
these taxes. but a great many II not all
of the bothersome consumption taxes.
As to taking care of returning SOL
diers. none of the plans submitted by
members OF Congress and by the Admin
istration has been gone into thoroughly
enough yet to determine which plan will
sclve the question. Some House COM
m'ttee members Will attack this problem.
with instruction to use all speed pos
sible.
Tho Steering Committee felt that Il
was necessary to include Investigations
OF the enormous extravagances OF the
Democrats as a part of the legislative
programme. as they are considered as
inevitable as the sunrise.
Dissemination OF n military and naval
policy was omitted from the programme
purposely TO give time for the return Of
Deaoe time conditions. The army bill sub
mitted by the Administration providing
for an army OF slightly more than 600,-
600 men has an excellent chance OF pas
sage pending the threshing out OF the
question Of universal military training
ard other questions.