Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-08-03
WASHINGTON
Day by Day
(From our special correspondent

washington, Aug. oil SeSielais
of the Treasury Mellon had been dis
covered in the act of planting a bomb
filled with INT into the midst OF
the House Committee on Ways and
Means he could not have created
greater CONSERVATION in the ranks
of the Republican members of thi"
august body than was experienced
when he made known his plan for q
revision of our tax laws. That the
Republican leaders were surprised, is
not shocked when the head of the
fiscal Department of the govern
ment unbosomed himself of his ideas
as to what methods should be pur-
sued in bringing about change in
our tax laws, is putting the case very
mildly. The Secretary of the Trea-
sury's views concerning this all i'm
portant subject have set the majority
members of the Ways and Means
Committee figuring on the conse-
quences that face the Republican
party if his recommendations are
finally adopted by the Congress.
There is not single Republican, will
ing to give an unbiased opinion, who
does not view the situation with
alarm from political standpoint.
The proposal Of the Secretary Of
the Treasury for flat federal IL
cense tax of $40 on all automobiles,
for two-cent stamp tax on all bank
checks, for three-cent rate on first
class mail matter in place OF the pre-
sent two-cent postage and for an m
crease of the tobacco taxes so that
Sl00,000,000 a year additional from
this source will be obtained came :"
thunderbolt out of clear sky to
pester Republican House leadn
charged with the responsibility Of tax
revision in the hope that some of the
unnecessary burdens now levied upon
the shoulders of the American peo-
pie might be lifted.
A canvass of the Republican men,
bers of the Ways and Means Com
mittee made by the Gazette cores
pondent indicates such a difference OF
opinion respecting this method OF tax
alton advanced by the Secretary Oh
the Treasury that any one or all OF
them may be flatly rejected before
the tax legislation is brought into the
House for consideration.
Representative Tilson, of Connec-
ticut, Republican member of the
Ways and Means Committee, after
he had digested the proposals made
by Secretary Mellon declared that he
is askin for norge money than the
government had last year.
~ don't believe that is at all ne
cessary," commented the Connecticut
member. "If all the government de-
partments will cut to the bone. | be-
lieve we can get along on less money
than we had last year.
Representative Hawley, of Oregon,
another Republican member OF the
Ways and Means stated openly that
he would oppose the stamp tax on
checks, doubted the wisdom Of the IN
creased postage rate ana would favor
the auto tax only as a means of rails
ing revenue.
Here, then, is opposition right in
the ranks of the very Republican
f l0pnlDcTS Oh Tie w anu -iNot''
Committee who will be held respon-
siblc to the country for downward
revision of the burdens which the
American people are now compelled
to bear.
The Democratic attitude toward
Secretary Melons recommendations
was outlined today by Representative
John Garne:, of Texas, who is expect
cd to lead the attack for MS party
against the tax revision bill. Garner
pointed out that the recommenda-
tions of Secretary Mellon were to
have been expected from Repuoll-
ca administration.
1T is typical of them," he declared.
They propose to take S500,000,0OO or
S6O0,000,O00 in taxes off the rich and
those best able to afford them and
place them on the backs Of the or
dinary people. They would remove the
excess profits of the fat corporations,
would reduce the taxes on incomes OF
the inordinately rich and would place
them on every person who sends
letter, writes a check or who drives
moderately-priced car
Republican members Of the House
who have had an opportunity to
study the proposals of Secretary Mel
lon see visions of tremendous losses
of votes that would follow taxes on
bank checks and automobiles and the
increase in firstclass postage rates.
They realize that such assessments
are aimed at the poor mans pocket
book. The rich will not be affected
one iota by any change which may be
made in the tax law. 1t is for this
very important reason that they are
planning to fight shy of any such
taxes and they will ignore the re-
Communications of Secretary Mellon
along this line if they can find a way
to balance the government budget by
any other means.