New-York tribune., 1921-03-17
Harding Said to
Place Tax Revision
Ahead of Tariff
Agricultural Representatives
Opposing the Efforts Of
Those From Business and
Manufacturing Districts
From The Tr,bune's U'oshtnoton bureau

From The Tr'bune'e washington Bureau
WASHINGTON. March Rumors
that the President would favor tax re-
vision in advance of tariff revision
we're in circulation at the Capitol to-
day following his conference last
night with Senator Penrose. chairman
OF the Finance Committee, and Repre-
sentative Fordney, of the Ways and
Means Committee.
These rumors, coupled with the fact
that Ways and Means Committee mem
bers. are anxious to go to work on a
tariff bill, if that measure is to be
presented to the House soon after it
meets, or tax bill, if that is to come
first, caused much discussion.
1t developed that agricultural inter
ests are insiStent that tariff revision
be considered first Agricultural mem
bers of Congress accordingly are seek
ing to block efforts of members from
business and manufacturing sections
TO have tax revision come first.
The fact that President Harding has
so far not seen fit to adopt the plan of
putting tariff revision ahead has added
TO the interest in the situation. While
the Pres dent is being urged by some
of his friends in Congress to declare
for tax revision first, Chairman Ford
nev of the Ways and Means Commit
tee and the members from agricultural
states are urging him TO call for tariff
revision.
The House Ways and Means Rcpuh-
Leans for the most part favor tariff
revision first. Representative Long
worth, of Ohio, however, who is an in
huential member Of the Ways and
Means Committee and close to Presi-
dent Harding, is strongly in favor Of
having tax revision come before tariff
So is Representative Bacharach.
In the background of the contro-
versy there is a clash of opinion be
/ tween the advocates of tariff on. agri-
cultural products and the opponents
Of protecting such products The re.
peal of the excess profits tax is in
volved.
1t is openly asserted by agricultural
members that the most active pro-
ponents of repeal of the excess profits
tax, who are members from the large
/ business and manufacturing centers
are seeking to get that tax repealed
just as quickly as possible. Their
please about voting for duties or
agricultural products. On the othel
hand agricultural members say tina
if they deal with tariff revision frs
and hold in allegiance the repeal o
the excess profits tax, they can ge
what they want in the way of duties
because the advocates of repeal of th'
excess profits tax will fear to e.
counter to them.
The tariff and taxation problem
are further complicated By the fac
that a powerful element in Congress
including some Republicans, will figh
against what it considers extremel,
high duties on manufactured products
Besides this there is the controvers,
over the sales tax. House opposition
to this is strong and the talk in Way
and Means circles to-day is that NJ
sales tax can pass the House.
Republican Green, of Iowa. an'
Republican Young, of North Dakota
members of the Ways and Means Com
mittee, are scheduled to see Presiden
Harding tomorrow. They will urge
tariff revision first.
Chairman Fordney asserted to- da,
that the anti-dumping bill would b'
reintroduced in much the same form
as it passed the House last year, ant
predicted it would be passed immedi
ately.