Evening journal., 1921-08-18
DEMOCRATS TO
FIGHT TAX BILL
Fordney Assails Extrava-
gance of Wilson Regime
in Supporting Bill
WARM DEBATE
ON IN HOUSE

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1s.-Demo-
cratic members Of the House at
caucus last night pledged themselves
TO vote against the Republican TAX
revision bill, and adopted a reso-
luton declaring that the measure
was "subversive OF the principle that
should govern taxation for the sup
port of this government"
The decision was reached at the
fourth meeting which had been held
since Tuesday in an effort to chart
a course for the minority. The eau
Gus also instructed the Democratic
members Of the ways and means
committee to offer motion TO re-
commit the bill Immediately before
the final vote, scheduled for 3 p. m.
Saturday.
The resolution charges that the
bill relieves prohteers and tax
payers 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 people Of
moderate means"
1T violates" the resolution con-
tinued. the promise Of all parties
to reform and revise the system Of
taxation so that all citizens and
corporations shall bear a just por-
tion OF the tax load" Approximate
ly eighty Of the 1872 Democrats in
the House attended the caucus and
we're reported TO have voted unani-
mously TO oppose the bill
The Republican defense OF, and
got under way yesterday in the House.
Discussion. however. was not con-
fined to the bill itself, ranging all the
way from the number OF cooks
President Wilson took 70 Paris 10
the question OF social justice.
Chairman Fordney, OF the ways
and means committee. in charge OF
the measure. opened the four hours
debate after the House had adopted
on a strict party vote, 223 TO lis,
a rule providing for a final vote al
three p. m. Saturday. Most OF his
speech OF an hour. as he said in
closing, was "a little about the bill
and a whole lot about the Demo
! cratic party"
In reviewing what he described as
extravagances under the last admin
istration, Mr.. Fordney charged thai
[ President Wilson Rad taken over the
railroads for political purpose.
y only and had placed in charge Of
them his son-in-law. McAdoo
whom he was grooming for the pres.
( idency."
Asked from the Democratic side
why he had voted for the bill au.
thorizing federal control OF the car
riers. the speaker said:
Il voted TO put the President in q
hole and we did IT,"
Later Mr. Fordney said he had
made his statement about takinf
over the railroads jokingiy, but hi
declaration was greeted with jeeri
( from the Democrats.
The committee chairman wen
into details about Shipping Boar
operations and war purchases a
well as operations OF the railroad
and the telephone lines and declared
: that now the Republican administra
ton had Ito go TO the country anS
ask for money to pay for these ex
= travagances. He then gave SOM
figures about the number Of people
President Wilson carried with him t
y Paris and the money spent whil'
there. adding.
"The fiddler wants his pay now
? we danced then"
Turning 10 the bill itself. th'
chairman discussed briefly th'
u changes in tax levies proposed ans
declared the committee had mad'
an honest effort to reduce taxes. anS
% believed Il had given TO the Hous'
"as equitable a measure as was pos
sible under the circumstances.
Mr.. Fordney was given a demon
stration by his Republican col
leagues and some Democrats, whit
; stood and applauded him for sew
rra1 minutes