Newark post., 1921-08-03
NATIONAL EVENTS
Observations and Comments vritten for The Post

OF Corporations 10 promote export
trade; limiting the Indebtedness of
government of the Philippine Islands.
Tariff and Tan Revision
Two of the most important meas
ures to be- considered by the present
Congress are still pending. These
measures for tariff and tax revision
must originate in the House. The
Ways and Means Committee, Of
which Representative Fordney is the
chairman, prepared the tariff bill
which passed the House with amend
ments July 21. The Senate Finance
Committee is now holding hearings
on the bill. The Fordney tariff bill,
which is to replace the present emerg-
ency measure, is drawn on the lines
of protection. Duties are very gen.
and increase and uniformity of reve-
nue. aimed at through a valuation OF
imports on their money value in
America and not in the country
where they are produced. The bill
in it's present form has met with
great deal of adverse criticism
throughout the country without re-
gard to party. More than $50 hear
ings have been requested of the
Senate committee by persons and
organizations. The committee is try
ing to make up it's own mind on such
issues as American valuation and the
embargo on dyes before opening hear
ings on the various duties proposed.
Meanwhile, the Ways and Means
Committee of the House is drawing a
tax bill. Secretary Of the Treasury,
Mellon, has estimated that $4,000,-
100000 is necessary to operate the
government in the next fiscal year.
Chairman Fordney is quoted as stat
ing that it can be run for a half
billion less, and that the tax revision
should proceed on this basis. Other
members of the Ways and Means
Committee are inclined to regard the
estimate of the Secretary of the
Treasury as a safer guide. Indica-
tions Of the reductions in tax to be in
cluded in the bill are extremely vague
at this time. Preliminary discussion
seems to favor repeal of transporta-
tion taxes, passenger and freight, and
also number of luxury taxes es-
pecially those on soda water and ice
cream. The excess profits tax and
surtax on large incomes are under
stood to have the opposition of the
Treasury and Internal Revenue Of
ficials added to the demand of corpor-
ations and individuals for relief from
these taxes. Proportionate reductions
on large and small taxpayers are de-
manded by many members of the
House. Three-cent postage and some
sort of sales tax are being discussed
among the substitute methods Of
raising the necessary revenue.
Other Legislation Still Pending
Two bills of Importance have pass
ed both House and Senate and are
now in conference for the adjustment
of differences and difficulties. These
are the Packers bill regulating in
terstate and foreign commerce in
livestock and dairy products; and the
Sweet bill consolidating the bureaus
and departments dealing with ex-
service men. There is great need that
this bill should become a law in order
that the authorized assistance to sick
and wounded and destitute sailors
and soldiers may be adequate and
efficiently administered. Unfortunate
ly an amendment, not fully under
stood, was attached to this bill, and
passed, which would wreck the pro-
gram of vocational education for boys
and girls throughout the country by
making it a minor and subordinate
part of department organized to
take care of wounded soldiers.
Of chief Importance, as conserva-
tion measure, among those which
have passed one house, is the Shep-
pard-Towner bill, recently passed by
the Senate, for the protection of
mothers and babies. Federal aid in
reducing the annual deaths of $4,000
mothers in childbirth, and 250,00O
young children, is fundamental race
protection.
Bills which have passed the House
and are still to be acted upon by the
Senate include: A revision of the
federal laws; definining and supple
| poeptinp the national nrohihitiop act e.