The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-08

Means Committee of the House. has be-
gun a series of hearings on proposed
changes in the tariff act and other ex-
listing measures with view to the early
preparation OF a programme that will
provide a substantial increase in revenue
without imposing additional burdens on
business and industry.
There is little doubt that the present
short session will see the introduction of
an unusual number Of so called pop
gun" bills for tax revision which Will be
introduced by various members who have
decided views on this or that feature of
the taxation problem.
1t appears probable on account of the
increasing demand for at least the initia-
ton of a tax and tariff revision pro-
gramme that the decision whether to at
tempt one at the short session may be
left to a party caucus. In this respect
there has been but one point of agree
ment SO far between the Republican and
Democratic rank and file. That is. that
any action looking toward general
amendment of the tax laws or tariff
act will be very difficult OF accomplish
ment before the Congress ends on
March 4.
There appears a strong sentiment in
some quarters for "spot action'-that -,
the passage of Individual tax oills TO
raise revenues ait this session and for
the beginning of hearings on general
revision programme to be carried out
during the special session President
Harding will call soon after his inaugu-
ration. But members of the Senate and
House have been made well aware
through memorials and visits from In
dustrial representatives and business or
PLANTATIONS that the taxpayers will in
sist that they be heard on any new tax
programme.
ItttIe Time for Big Work.
There are only sixty-odd working days
remaining in the session, allowing lor
the customary holiday recess and the
adjournment over Washington's Birth
.day. Difficulty has been found passing
the regular Government supply pliis
when the aggregate was much smaiier
than the present estimates, ana at times
fhen there was not the existing demand
for economy nor the necessity OF meet
ing party promises to cut the cost OF
Government operation. But the appro-
priation bills must be passed, and most
of the remaining time of both the Senate
and House must be devoted to considera-
ton of them, and all other legislation
will have to be incidental.
President Wilson's recommendations
for immediate tax revision have led 10
the suggestion in some quarters that the
Republican Congress would purposely
defer any modification of the existing
laws for party reasons, in order that the
new Administration should get whatever
credit may accrue politically for the
creation of such relief as would follow
Such suggestions are unwarranted.
It may be said on the authority OF
|
the Ways and Means Committee of the
House that such relief legislation as was
deemed practical would be immediately
introduced and passed If the other very
real difficulties in the shape of enormous
| appropriation estimates and the neces
| sity for close examination of the efrec'
of substitute tariff and taxation meas
ures upon business and industry in the
| light of peace time conditions did no
stand in the way.
| But In spite of the difficulties pre-
scented in the way Of enactment of gen
eral taxation and tariff revision at thu
short session. Congress undoubtedly vii
give its consideration to some of Tho
more important suggestions that will b'
introduced 1t should also be borne IL
mind that while the appropriation esti
mates will aggregate an enormous fig
ure Of this upwards of 1000. 00t
will require no action or consideration
because II represents permanent annua
appropriations mandatory in charactel
and effect.
In addition, there is the further en-
couraging fact that whatever reform!
Of this nature are initiated In the shor
session are likely to be expedited in thu
special session because every majority
member of the Ways and Means Com
mittee OF the present Congress was re
turned to the House. and undoubtedly
will be named a member of the new
committee when the new Congress or
ganizes
Summed up. therefore, the likelihood
of any sweeping tax revision during the
present session appears remote. Thu
n,ost insistent demand or all. that FOL
the repeal of the excess profits tax, II
not likely to receive much consideration
Inv view Of the necessity for maintain
ing revenues at approximately theil
present level until some substitute for 1
has been agreed upon.
Senator Reed Smoot of Utah. whose
appreciation Of the relationship of rev
enues to expenditures is as keen as thai
of any man in Congress, probably vii
Introduce some emergency legislation Ii
the interests of the agrarian and WOO
growing industries. to be effective unit
definite policy is shaped.
To.morrow's article viii show the
necessity for the reorganization Of vari
Gus Government departments and bu