The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1919-06-10
THE GOVERNMENT
NEEDS REVENUE
And Representatives Hesitate
About Revoking the Semi
Luxury Tax.
TALK OF ANOTHER LOAN

ouacv of revenue to meet the expen-
ditures of the Government, the ne
cessity of negotiating another loan
shortly, and the belief of the fiscal
agents that the reduction of sche-
dulles in the revenue law for 1S2O
will prevent raising sufflclent
amount, are factors that are making
the Republicans hesitate in repeating
any feature Of the present reven-
ue law.
1t can now be stated upon the au-
thority of a prominent Republican
leader that this condition and the
speech made by Representative Jo-
seph W. Fordney, Chairman of the
Ways and Means committee, have
made it almost impossible to repeal
the semi-luxury tax.
While some of the Republican
leaders of the Ways and Means
Committee have not despaired of
keeping faith with the Retail Dry
Goods Association and repeating,
this tax, there are others who say
that the House is strongly against
the repeal of this or any of the
other consumption taxes. Instead of
the House being almost unanimous,
as it was on the last session, when
the joint resolution to repeal the
semi-luxury tax was passed, the Re-
publicans a week ago were forced
to postpone consideration of such a
| resolution, and the leaders have fear
ed to bring it up since that time
lest it be defeated.
This unexpected situation has
been brought to a head by the rath-
er mournful speech made by Mr.
Fordney in sponsoring the resolu-
tion. Mr.. Fordney roundly attacked
the Kitchin Bill, said that it would
not raise cough revenue and thai
many more loan bills were necessary
this year and in 1920. While he de
clared himself in favor of repeating
the semi-1uxury tax because of 9
promise given by the ways anl
Means committee to the retail trade
he furnished such an argument
against tampering with the bill
that even ex-Speaker Cannon, man,
other Republicans and many Demo
: Gratis spoke against the resolution.
, Mr.. Fordney said that this section
would produce revenue amountin,
: Ito $100,00O,0OO.
After five hours of such debat,
, it became necessary for Mr.. Ford
neys associates to rescue the reso
luton from defeat by adjournment
The Republican leaders had prom
ised to bring up the resolution las
week, but they found opposition
, still too strong to do so safely. Sine
the debate there have been othe
developments which are workin
against repeal of the semi-Iuxur
y tax, and it is now predicted that tn
resolution, if brought to a vote, vii
be defeated.
1t appears that other interests
finding that the House intended t
repeal the semi-luxury tax, demand
ed that schedules affecting thei
business and said to be quite as Of
lfensive to the taxpayer, should b
repealed. First came the deman
for repeal of the 10 per cent ia
on ice cream and mixed soft drinks
Then the jewelers. presented thei
claims for repeal This was reinfol
ced by the fur manufacturers an
the automobile makers.
The result was that last wee
: there was such an avalanche {
kilograms, letters and personal al
/. pea1s to members of Congress, an
especially members of the Ways an
Means committee, that it is probab
there will be no change in the r.
, venue law lest influential taxpa,
ers and constituents be dissati
= fled.
lei
a. Mr.. Fordney said tonight that i
at was hopeful OF getting the Houl
Il to repeal the semi-luxnry tax. So
le Representative Nicholas Longwort
Pint Rnxrarart 6fsvo K1orrrf,