Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
DEMOCRATS HALT
Continued from page /

A resolution outlining this conclusion
was unanimously adopted by the Demo
cratic Steering Committee. IL was held
by members that wheat and wool were
the only articles that possibly might be
benefited by emergency measures, while
the imposition of heavier duties at this
, time would at once be followed by heavy
advances in prices here.
At the same time strong opposition
! developed in the House when Chairman
Fordney Of the Ways and Means Commit
toe reported the committees tariff mea-
sure designed to produce income OF
sl30,000,000 from agricultural products
rs against $4,000, 900 now.
Representative Reiney Dem, Il)
presented minority report bitterly
attacking the measure. Several Republican
members declared there would be strong
opposition in non-rural districts.
The Democratic Senators who attendei
the conference were all opposed to any
blanket tariff revision The opinion WAS
expressed that there should be no class
! legislation in an effort to relieve one por-
tion of the country ut the expense OF an
other section. The proposed bill Is sup
posed to help the farmers.
IL was made PLAIN at the meeting
that the emergency revision will be
discussed at great length and there will
be general opposition TO IT from the Dem
ocrats The attitude of the Democrats
was made fairly plain when Senator
McCumber CRep., n. D.)referred TO the
caucus" held by the minority on tariff
revision and Senator Simmons Dem,
n c. said
"If the Senator has in his country,
or il any other Senator has In his country.
an agricultural situation brought about
by war conditions, or as an aftermath
of the war, that argument will appeal very
strongly to me Ii the Senator comes and
asks q sort of blanket tariff that covers oil
agricultural products and great many
manufactured products which | do not
think are suffering from importations |
decline to support that.
Repeal of all excess profit taxes and
other imposts affecting business as well
rs increases in exemptions for individuals
was advocated yesterday before the House
Nays and Means Committee by Meyer
Rothschild, representing the Business
Mems National Tax Committee.
He proposed that general sales tax
of per cent be substituted and that
exemptions now $1,000 and $4,000 fo~
single and married persons, respectively
be increased 10 s. 500 and s., 900.
Further increases in the exemptions for
children and dependents also was pro
posed.
The plan rs outlined by Mr.. Roths-
child il cludes the CO. tif uatlon OF the
inheritance taxes ard the graduated
form Of ircome taxes He preser ted figures
10 show that 230 per cert is added TO the
cost Of livirg by the present excess profits
taxes. while the plan Of the general sales
tax would increase living costs not more
than 32o per cent.
The salcr tax would raise about 50,
oOO, 100000 n year, Rothschild estimated.
and would provide a more even flow Of
morey irto the treglury because of the
regular morthly paymei rs on the monthl
tur1 over of busil ess houses. Depression
would have little effect or the tax, MIR.
Rothschild said. He said the matter had
been vestigated by treasury officials,
ard he believed WIS favored by them.
The scheme has been successful in the
PHILIPPINES he declared
The committee displayed considerable
Interest ii the plan, although Represer ta-
tive Frear rep. Wis held that the
pyramidirg of excess profits taxes on
fnal costs occurred o. ~ When the pTicew
were advancing ard when little or 10
completion existed This the witr ess
admitted but cor tended that the turn
over tax would give a basis upon which
alI busi1ess could work. Professional men
would be forced 10 pay on their income
4 mrimum would be fixed TO eGmiE ate
those making sales Of goods or services
of less than fixed sum. 1t has been sug
gested that the sum be put at about $500
per moT tn.
Represen tatives Frear, orgvorth ard
Carr er opposed the plan. Mr. Rothschild
ssid the business mems committee plars
campaign amorg co, sumers which
would lead to the bombardir & OF Con gress
with petitions for the passage of the sales
tar