Pueblo chieftain., 1921-03-20
TARIFF AND TAX
BILLS NOT BASED
ON S0l|O GROUND
Much Hesitancy Among
Leaders As to Manner
Of Handling
BY MARK sULLIvAN.

Washington. March 1a.-The Repub-
lican leaders who arc responsible for
the coming tariff and tax legislation
do not give an impression of being
sure of themselves.
They are not agreed among them
selves as to just what is to be done.
they don't realize how great is the
country's expectation of them: and 1t
is doubtful IL they are as fully aware
as some business men of what are the
conditions.
Longworth wants to take up the
tax legislation first Fordney wants
TO make the tariff first.
on this point. some western lead
crs suggest a compromise in the shape
of brief and presumably quickly
passed emergency tariff first. then tax
revision, and then a leisurely and
thoro protective tariff.
As to taxation, Fordncy and Smoot
believe in the new gross sale tax,
while Longworth does not.
Where Penroso stands isn't certain;
no had an experience during the re-
cent session which has made him
wary about taking strong positions.
When he first arrived in Washing
ton after his years illness he laughed
publicly at tho idea of wasting time
on an emergency tariff measure. Then
some of the western Republican sens-
tors stood him on his head and made
him go solemnly thru the motions of
leading the fight for the bill he had
laughed at, Penrose will be cautiously
sure of what ho can put thru before
nc takes a strong public position again.
All the Republican leaders feel in
their hearts that the gross profits tax
ought to be repealed. and a few Of
them have the courage to be willing
to do II. But the others think Il
would look too much Ike oxcmpting
the corporations from burden that
individuals still must bear. They want
merely to reduce IL.
In the same way II IL generally
agreed that tho surtaxes Of over ~
per cent on incomes over $4,000
year work harmful economic effect
IN that they tend to cause all the
Ercat fortunes OF tho country to take
refuge in tax free municipal bonds,
thus limiting tho amount OF Invest
r.nt money available for ordinary en-
terprises.
Blu, some OF tho leaders fear to re-
duce the high surtaxes lest tho act
be unpopular.
Most OF the tax discussion is IN terms
Of popularity and political effect.
With tenure OF four fun years in
the White House ahead of them. with
a ma iority OF :. in tho senate and
over two-thirds In the house, the Re-
puhlicans are still unwilling to take
a chance.
They arc unwilling to find out what
is sound and do it courn gcously. They
talk as II there was danger OF losing
their dominance next month.
Aside from their lack OF courage.
they don't have tho information or In
sight into conditions that many bust
ness men have. The Republican lead
srs think they can leave tho income
tax where IL now is. and that tho
public viii go on paying chcorfully as
much as they have in the past.
These Republican leaders. and every
one responsible for the conduct of the
governments business. are going 70
get shock when we learn the amount
OF the income tax and profits tax
turned In on Tuesday.
II Will he far short Of past amount,
and far short of enough to meet tho
governments bills. And II they con-
tinuc to rely ON these taxes next year.
the disappointment will bo greater yet
Probably Mellon. after he has had
time. will be able to give tho Repub-
lican leaders correct view of how
things stand and what must be done.
But Mellon can't supply the Ecpub-
Gcsn leaders with courage. or with
cooperation, or with the kind OF per-
sonality that alone makes leadership.
There is an opening in congress for
an Aldrich.
Copyright 1921 by the New York
Evening Post Incl