The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-11-23
HOUSE
ACCEPTS
AMENDMENT
Republicans Join the
Democrats in Put
ting Through High
er Surtax Rate
CONSOLIDATED AUG. 2, 1881.


washington, Nov. II. = Disre-
garding the expressed wish or
President Harding, the house voted
today. POI to 173, to accept the SEN
ate amendment to the tax revision
ILL fixing the maximum income
surtax rate at so per cent. on IN.
comes of 100000 or more.
Ninety-four Republicans, most
of them fron- the Middle West and
Far West, Joined with the practl-
cally solid Democratic minority in
supporting the amendment. An
nouncement Of the result brought
applause from both sides Of the
chamber with some of the Demo-
Gratis breaking into cheers.
Three hours before the vote was
taken, the house listened to the
reading of letter from President
Harding to Chairman Fordney of
the house ways and means commit
tee suggesting that the house and
senate compromise. The executive
said he still believed 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 legislative situation he
thought It wholly desirable" that
there be compromise at 40 per
cent.
Immediately after it became
known that the president had writ
ten Mr.. Fordney, spokesman for
the 'insrrgent" Republicans said
the letter would not affect the re-
suit. They had claimed a total of
SO Republican votes or one less
than was cast for the amendment.
Among the majority members sup
porting the amendment We're Chair
nina Campbell Of the rules commit
tee, Representative Green (Iowa),
ranking Republican on the ways
and means committee, and Chair
man Haughen Of the agricultural
committee.
This vote settled the biggest is
sue between the house and senate
on the tax revision bill and the
managers from the two houses will
resume their sessions tomorrow
with the hope Of reaching an agree
ment on the bill by Saturday night.
If this hope is realized, the meas
ure probably will be sent to the
president before the end of next
week.
The intervention Of the president
in the tax revision fight-the sec
ond since the ways and means COM
mittee began drafting the measure
early today of Representative Mon
dell Of Wyoming, the Republican
leader in the house. The pTesi-
three and a half months ago-fol-
lowed a visit 70 the White House
dent then summoned Chairman
Fordney and Representative Long
worth Of Ohio of the ways and
means committee, and expressed
his view on the surtax. These were
supplemented by a letter to Mr.
Fordney.
During the three hours debate
in the house, which was conduct
ed under a special rule, the presi-
Cent was attacked for writing Mr..
Fordney. Representative Fear
(Republican) of Wisconsin. said the
presidents Intervention cat the last
minute" was unfair and unjust
and that he should have made
known his views to the senate
when the so per cent. was under
discussion there.
Representative Garner Demo
craO Of Texas declared that if the
president had views to submit he
should have done so in person or in
a message to the house rather than
In ietter to member of the
body. Representative Sinnot Gre
publican) of Oregon declared that
he "grieved because the president
had been given bad advice on this
subject"
Supporting the presidents stand.
Representative Mondell and other
Republican spokesmen said the Re-
publican party had promised to re-
duce taxes and that the so per
cent. rate should not be approved
by the house.