The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-28
TAX LEGISLATION GIVEN PREFERENCE
 OVER TARIFF BILL
Tax Bill to Occupy Finance Committee Until Ready for Submission to the
 Senate
By Associated Press

NasniERton, August zf.-Iax leS- islation was given preference overl the tariff by the Senate finance com mittee today and arrangements were made for the committee to begin ac- enue bill next Thursday. The tax bill will occupy the attention of the committee exclusively until it is ready for submission to the Senate, which Chairman Penrose believes will probably be when Congress ,e- convenes September 21.
 When decision was reached to dts place the tariff, 1t was said, in some quarters, that the permanent tariff bill would probably not be enacted until after the new year. Hearings on the measure are only about one fourth finished and in addition treas ury experts haveV yet to begin as- sembling data on American whole sale selling prices without which, &C., cording to committee members, tile contemplated revision of House rates cannot be started.
 Until taxes are taken up next week, the committee will continue hearings on the tariff. taking up the wood schedule and some of the ag- ricultural lists. The committee at the request of the state department, Chairman Penrose said today. had also agreed to hear British deputa- ton, who, it is understood, will pro- test the proposed rates on high speed steel. The delegations includes Ar thur Balfour. s. J. Robinson. Peter McGregor and J C. Ward, who .ep- resent the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. Representatives of tre Chicago association of conferenee 0 also will be heard on the subject of American valuation, on which, how ever. the committee has already acted.
 No Open Hearings
 Present plans of the committee do not contemplate open hearings pu revenue legislation. Mir. Penrose said. however, that .such does not mean that no opportunity will be given for interested parties to give the com. mittee data during it's executive meetings" Secretary Mellon will be called to discuss the bill, probably September 2.
 The tariff hearings next week on the agricultural schedule will not include the principal farm produc,s [ under plans made today by the az ricultural group in the Senate. its executive committee. meeting with representatives of the principal farm organisations, agreed upon preliIn- mary plan for presentation of their tariff needs and do not expect to ap- pear before the finance committee until fall. Senators from the agricul- tural states saying they desire to outline programme of national scope and to confer with the con- mittee members on their suggestions when the time arrives for action on 1 that phase of the tariff bill. The fight in the House. on the rates on certain kinds of lumber r''- ! appeared for time In the hearings i today. Duties on rough cedars and mahogany logs and telephone and l telegraph poles were opposed 1 Thomas Williams of New York. rep I resenting importers declared his 1 firm had been in the business for S3 years and never before had found tt necessary to appear before a con. l gressional committee to protest ! against a duty on the product. He l said 1t was prejudlcial to the busl' ] ness to have duties on the raw nia- l teriais and asserted 1t would cost
 more to levy and collect the dutiei 1 than would be derived In revenue