Evening star., 1921-08-18
Argument on Tax Bill
Brings Charges by Both
Sides in Tilt of Parties

The democrats Of the House in party
caucus last night pledged themselves
to vote against the tax revision bill
as drafted by the republicans.
The caucus. which was the fourth
held in an effort to determine pro-
gram for the minority. was attended
by 50 Of the 1872 democrats in the
House and the vote for opposition
was said to be unanimous. No indica-
ton was given Of the probable arti-
tude of those msmbers OIL the party
who did not attend.
General debate. which was opened
yeste rday by Chairman Fofdney OF
tho ways and meaas coHmittee for
che republicans. was scneauied 70
end tonight and tomorrow amend
ments win Be- taken UP under hve-
minute speech Limitation with q hnaI
vote due late Saturday. Mr.. Fordney.
in outlining the republican position
on the bill. said it was AS equitable
measure" as was possfoie 10 ora"
under the circumstances.
The democratic line OF attack was
indicated i'm a resolution adopted at
the party caucus, which declared the
measure to be '+subversive of the
principle that should govern taxation
for the support of this government.
and charged that it relieves prof.
iteers and taxpayers OF large incomes
from their just share OF the load OF
taxation and leaves an unfair portion
Of the burden to be borne by the peo-
pie of moderate means.
Kitchfn Sends Telegram.
Representative Claude kitchin.
democratic leader. in q telegram sent
from his home at Scotland Neck, n. C.,
yesterday to Representative Garrett
Of Tennessee, acting minority leader.
urging House democrats to oppose
the tax bill. declared its repeal of the
excess profits tax and increase Of the
that the big 'profiteering corpora
tionS' would escape payment of half
billion dollars in taxes. which would
fall upon the smaller corporations OF
less income.
The democratic leaders said 1t
would be q fatal mistake" for any
member Of his party to vote for the
bill.
FiaaI Vote Saturday.
Chairman Fordney opened the four,
hour debate after the House had
adopted. ON a strict party vote. 223 to
l15, a rule providing for final vote
at ) Pm. Saturday.
Reviewing what he described as
extravAgances under the last admin
iStrafi0n, Mr. FOrdney charged tnat
President Wilson had taken over the
railroads "for political purposes only"
and had placed in charge Of them his
son -in-l law. McAdoo. whom he was
grooming for the presidency"
Asked from the democratic side
why ne had voted for the bill author
izing xSederal control Of the carriers,
the fspeakeSs4aid:- 80 - $50
II voted to put the President in a
hole and we did 1t"
Later Mr.. Fordney said he had made
his statement about taking over the
railroads jok insly. but his declaration
was. greeted with jeers from the
democrats.
GavAev Opens Fight.
Repres .ntative Garner of Tex 5.
ranking minority member Of the
ways and means committee. opening
the democratic fight on the bill. re-
Piled at some length to Mr.. Fordney's
statements about federal railroad
operation. Asserting that democratic
and republican Congresses had voted
S2, See, ,e0e. oe9 to the railroads. he de-
clared that the end was not yet,
"You are called upon." he said, ad-
dressing the republicans. ito vote
S5eo. e06.eoe more which the President
recommended the other day. Why do
your leaders want You to vote on this
proposition before Congress takes a
recess? They dare not let you 60
home and meet your constituency on
the proposition Of giving the rail-
roads $s0o,o0o.oa0 more"