New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-18
.Foldney, i'm Tax
Debate, Hints at
Big " ar " aste
Wilson Extravasances Are
Given as the Obstacle
to More Drastic Cuts in
New Revenue Legislation
Cites 4 Billion Rail Loss
Democrats in Caucus Vote
to Oppose Measure and
Demand Its Withdrawal

From 7hs Tyibane's Washington Burccu
WASHINGTON, Aug. l7.-pepa,e on
the revenue bill of 1921 opened in the
first guns were fired by Chairman
Fordney OF the Committee on WAYS
ard Means in support Of the measure
and by Representative John Garner, of
Texas, ranking Democratic member Of
the committee. for the opposition.
The minority side this afternoon was
still more or less at sea as to what
form their hght against the bill is
finally to take. il outward signs are in
dicative.
After two unsuccessful attempts by
the minority to determine the manner
Of their opposition, the Democratic
members of the House decided unani-
mously at caucus tonight to vote
against the revenue bill A resolution
was adopted criticizing the bill and
calling upon the minority members Of
the Ways and Means Committee to pre-
pare and offer motion to recommit it.
The resolution asserted that the
measure was "subverslve Of the prin-
cple that should govern taxation for
the support OF this government"
Chairman Fordney told the House tina
sentiment OF the country was for re-
lief from the burden of war-born taxes.
he predicted that the national debt of
the United States. which he estimated
at about Sl4, 200, 00O0 600, would be paid
sooner than is generally expected He
assailed President Wilson and the ex-
travagance OF The war Administration
Mr.. Fordney said that radical
changes have been made in the revenue
laws IN the bin and appealed to the
Democratic side OF the House to sup
port the measure.
War Waste Is Cited
Government waste during and i'm
mediately following the war was Bit
terly attacked by him as the big OBJ
stacle to more drastic tax reductions.
He cited the example of the cost to the
Treasury CT office buildings for Fed
era employees in New York City. Nine
large buildings We're leased when there
is floor space enough in one of them
to accommodate all the Federal en-
ployees in the city, he said
The chairman scored government
control Of the railroad systems, which,
he said. had caused an additional waste
OF S4,0o0000, 600. He said he had voted
for taking them over "in order to put
the President in hole" and charged
that they were taken over for politi-
cal purposes and run for political pur-
poses"
Government operation Of the tele-
phones was reviewed by Mr. Fordney
who estimated the lines brought a loss
to the Treasury Of STA 600 900 Direct
ing his attack against President Will
son, he asked: what did that have
to do with the President going to Paris
al struttingt around like a peacock ?"
ten which prevented even further cuts
in taxes, he said, was the fact that in
the next twenty-five months $780,
100000 OF short time obligations Of
the government mature. The payment
Of this amount so soon he character
led as the "damnedest fizzle."
In reviewing the features Of the
revenue bill, Representative Fordney
said the increase in the exemption for
the heads of families to $500 would
affect go per cent Of ali incomes.
While the government income would
be reduced by S44 600 600 as a result
5000 to $500 each for dependent chill
dren. these provisions would bring real
relief 10 millions of homes, he said
Democratic Inheritances''
He estimated that the repeal of the
transportation, or, as he described
them. worry taxes upon the shipper
government % about 1852 900 900 a
year
"Jnheritances from the Democratic
administration" were the object of re-
newed attack "At the end OF the
war" he said, "the Administration put
in request that Z store of $4,000 600
Shells be maintained while the number
used in the war was only 5000, COO
The chairman said that after the
armistlce there was e97 600 900 worth
o. ni-rates in warehouses;. Forty thou
sand automobiles and trucks, he said.
had been sent to France after the
signing. More than 1917 900 branding
irons, costing 81 ,700,0 900, were pur-
chased for lf8 800 horses. he said, and
there were FIVE sets of harness, four
Gets Of curry combs and blankets and
six saddles for every horse in the Amer
lean Army. The Administration pur-
chased ne declared, SO 900 coo sets Of
spurs, while the total number of men
IN the army, navy and marine corps
~ss 4 100 600.
The peace mission to Paris was
brougn. up by the chairman in his
cenunciation Of the conduct of the war.
ne Dill Tor the trip put IN by President
Wilson was s 500 .000. l:e declared. The
President took with him 1888 persons,
and no ore but Colonel House was
Consulted"
II IS ny candid opinion that Clemen-
cesg, Lloyd George and Orlando said
70 nm, II you Will have the United
BATES accept the treaty az we write it
ws viii make you president Of the
League Of Nations,'" he added.
De Concluded q u ennech hv 2 d N 4 n n q,