Evening journal., 1921-08-15
HOUSE TAX
BILLFAVORED
Certain That Measure Will
Be Approved With Some
Minor Changes
PLAN VOTE
NEXT SATURDAY

WASHINGTON, d. c.. Aug. 15.-
The Republican tax reduction bill,
as conf leted by the majority mem
bers of the House Ways and Means
Committee. is meeting with more
general approval in the Republican
ranks Of the Senate and House than
any important measure considered
this session.
1t is certain that the confer
ence of House Republicans, today.
will approve the bill in general.
although some minor changes may
be suggested by various members.
This viii; assure its prompt passage
through the House and leaders are
certain the final vote can be taken
at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon as
planned.
This morning no "insurgent move
ments" against features of the bill
could be found. Usually when such
an important measure is proposed,
various groups Of members an
nounce their opposition c--tain
sections.
Even the Democrats are secretly
speaking well Of the tax reduction
plan, and It is probable that several
may vote for the measure on the
final roll call. The feature OF the
bill most commended is that II pro-
vides for a general reduction OF the
taxes Of all classes.
Two weeks ago It was feared that
no reduction in taxes could be made
because Of the large estimated Gov
ernment expenditures. A program
of economy has been agreed upon
by House leaders and the Admins
tration which enabled a tax reduc-
ton OF $500. 100000.
Representative Madden Ill).
chairman OF the House Appropria-
tions Committee. is planning to make
certain that these reductions will be
made by repeating certain features
OF previous appropriation acts. under
which certain large unexpended bal
ances Of previous years are now be-
ing expended.
IF the executive departments
were limited during the current year
to appropriations made for this per-
iod. we could reduce taxes still
lower" he said. "The great trouble
is that the departments are spend
ing money by drawing on numerous
.nuefinite and unexpended appro-
priations. In my opinion this must
be stopped.
The estimate first submitted by
Secretary OF the Treasury Mellon
was that s4,500,00O,00O would be
spent during the current year. The
maximum under the direct perma-
nent and annual appropriations OF
Congress was nearly $1,000, 900. .0Ot
less. II is proposed hereafter e
make direct appropriations for near
ly all purposes. so that Congress cal
keep a tighter check on the purs
strings"
The tax bill which viii introoduc
ed in the House by Chairman Ford
iney (Mich). Of the Ways and Mean
Committee. Is a comparatively shor
document IL contains about 10000
words. or one-fourth the number OF
the tariff bill. The tax measure is
not a complete rewriting OF all the
tax laws. which II is not proposed to
change, but merely consists OF
amendments to the present law.
House Democrats are expected to
present a message from Representa-
tive Claude Kitchen IN. c., which
will determine their angle of attack
on the bill. Mr.. Kitchin. one OF the
main authors Of the present bill and
1 largely responsible for the exces;
tax Ivy, is in poor health at hi:
home in Scotland Neck, N. c.. bu
has followed the progress OF reve
nue. revision closely and is c-pectet
ITO send a statement against It To-
reading on the floor OF the House.