The Washington times., 1920-05-02
OPPOSE SALES
TAXFORBONUS
G. O. P. Leaders in House Say
Fund Must Be Raised Some
Other Way.
BIZ WINDER n. HARRIS.
U.Iyer.sI Service.


tax and substitution OF announcer
method OF raising the bulk OF the
revenue for soldier aid was denniteiy
determined upon today by the Repub-
lican leaders in the House.
This decision was inevitable as the
result OF the strength shown by the
y insurgents, led by Congressman John
son of South Dakota, at Friday
nights caucus. 1t was apparent that
the party leaders realized they were
beaten when they forced an adjourn
ment OF the caucus. Mr.. johnson de-
Z ciared there would have been a ma
jority of fifteen against the sales tax
II the question had been allowed to
come to q vote.
The decision OF the leaders to elm
mate the sales tax was announced by
Chairman Fordney, OF the Ways and
Means Committee, which framed the
bonus bill, Just before his departure
for his home In Michigan. Mr.. Ford
ltney will return within about a week,
when, he said, the committee will
meet to consider the bill and eliminate
1.-THE sales tax provisions.
Prouaise Aetisa Tkis Season.
:. Some other form of taxation will
I be substituted, the chairman declared,
but he was not prepared to say what
lit would be. He was emphatic, how
ever in the assertion that the bill
would be redrafted in time for passage
1T this session OF Congress
Another change in the bill which
appeared to be certain was the elm
iination of the Mondell-Lane land set
Element section. This part of the
legislation was vigorously attacked
Tin the caucus as containing "a niger
in the woodpile," which would per
nit civilians instead of soldiers, to
get possession of the lands proposed
TO be reclaimed.
Indications are that the scheme of
Representative Morgan. OF Oklahoma.
for home and farm aid will be sub
stitutcd for the land settlement plan.
Mr.. Morgan stated he has assurances
from large number OF Republicans
that they will support his scheme,
and some OF the Democratic leaders
declared the minority will solidly sup
port it.
As the land settlement idea is Mr..
lMondelrs own pet child and he is
ina jority leader however, a strenuous
hight is certain TO result from the eff
fort to eliminate 1t.
81, StiII Want Pronteers Taxed.
. Ovcrtures with the insurgents and
democrats looking toward a compro-
mise on substitute plan for the sales
;taX win be made before the Ways
and Means Committee begins recon-
siderat on OF the bill. Leaders of the
insurgents and Democrats both de-
rlarcd. though. that they will stand
firm for their plan OF taxing war
proftcers.
They can't avoid the issue OF tax
ing war profts now" said Congress
man Henry T. Rainey OF Illinois. act
ing leader OF the Democrats on the
committee.
Congressman Johnson declared the
insurgents liltewse would insist upon
adoption OF the war profits tax. He
charged in the House that any eff
fort to pass the bonus bill without
an opportunity to consider this plan
would be a resort to gag rule.
'Thc tentative plan is to call the
next Republican caucus for Tuesday
night. May II, and bring up the bill
in the House on Monday. May IL. This
plan contemplates an agreement with
the insurgents and Democrats which
will permit the carrying out of the
original scheme TO pass the measure
under suspension of the rules, which
would prohibit amendments.
PcII Against Entire Bill.
Congressman Johnson stated in his
speech that if tho insurgents are
given a tax plan that they can accept
he and Congressman Schall OF Mime
sofa will withdraw their opposition to
special rule. Both members are on
the Rules Committee, and as long as
they stand with the Democrats the
committee is divided. 6 to 6.
Congressman Telh Democrat, OF
New York, declared in the House that
he intends to vote against the entire
bonus bill.
~ am doing this in full realization
chat it means the end of my political
career, and can tell YOU frankly that
il is painful thing to commit sui
eide, but do not think that honor
will permit me to follow any other
course"
The proposed sales tax. Mr.. Pell de-
elared, "of course would wreck the
financial district OF New York, and
with it the hope of commercial pre-
.mincnce of the world"