Daily Kennebec journal., 1921-11-18
Harding's Letter Ask
ing Compromise Is
Y Disregarded
All New England Republicans
Vote Against Measure
Western Members G.. O. P.
Join Democrats to Turn the
Trick-ScOre Intervention of
President

washington, NOV. l7-DISregardln
the expressed wish of President
Harding. the house voted today, 201
to 173, to accept the senate amend
ment to the tax revision bill fixing
the maximum income surtax rate at
so per cent. on incomes of 100000 or
more.
Ninety-four Republicans, most Of
them from the Middle and Far West.
joined with the virtually solid Demo-
cratic minority in supporting the
amendment. Announcement of the
result bought applause from both
sides Of the chamber, with some of
the Democrats breaking into cheers.
Three hours before the vote was TAX
en- the house listened to the reading
of letter from President Harding to
Chairman Fordney of the ways and
means committee, suggesting that
the house and senate compromise.
J. nv CNttutiNt Shtd IlC sun btliNNNh
the original house rate of 80 per cent.
was nearer to a just levy and the
more promising one in returns to the
public treasury" but that in view Of
the executive situation he thought it
wholly desira ble," that there be a
compromise at 40 per cent.
Immediately after it became known
I,,l r-,.ttt r.
Fordney. spokesmen for the "insur-
gent" republicans said the letter
would not affect the result. They had
claimed a total of 80 Republican
votes. or one less than was cast for
the amendment. Among the major
ity members supporting the amend
ment were Chairman Campbell Of
the rules committee, Pep. Green OF
Iowa, ranking Republican, on the
WAYS and means committee, and
Chairman Hauehen of the agriculture
committee. New England members
voted as follows:
For the senate amendments:
Neutrality-suspicious..
rats-Gallivan. Taeue.
Rcpublicans-Andre Massa chu-
setts: Dale. Dallinger, rockingham,
Green. Massa chusetts: Green. YER
mont, Horsey, Kennedy. Page, TinI-
ham. Treadway. Tnderhill, Walsh,
White of Maine, Winslow.
This vote settled the biggest Issue
between the House and the Senate or
the tax revision bill and the managers
from the two houses will resume their
sessions tomorrow with the hope of
reaching an agreement on the bill by
Saturday night If this hope is real
ized the measure probably will be sent
to the president before me end of next
week. The intervention of the presi-
dent in the tax revision fght-the sec
ond since the ways and means commit
tee began drafting the mca sure three
| and a half months ago-follGwed q
visit to the White House early today
| of Representative Mondell of Wyom-
! ing. the Republican leader in the
House. The President then summoned
/ Chairman Fordney and Representative
! Longworth of Ohio of the ways and
means committee. and expressed his
views on the surtax These were sup
! plemented by letter to Mr.. lrordney
I During the three hours debate in
the House, which was conducted under
special rule, the president, by both
! Republicans and Democrats. was at
| tackled for writing Mr.. Fordncy. Rer
Frear, Republican, Wisconsin, said the
presidents Intervention "at the last
minute" was unfair and unjust" and
| that he should have made known his
views to the Senate when the 80 20!
cent rate was under consideration
there.
/ Supporting the presidents stand
Representative Mondell and other Re,
publican spokesmen said the Eepubli-
can party had promise to reduce taxes
and that the so per cent. rate should
not be approved by the House.