The Washington herald., 1921-03-09
TO WORK ON TAX
OR TARIFF FIRST
CONGRESS BANE
Order of Procedure Re
mains Unsettled Despite
Discussion Monday.

Order of precedence of tax and
tariff legislation remained unsettled
yesterday, although the matter was
thorougly discussed at the dinner
given by President Harding to Re-
publican Congressional leaders Mon
day night
Chairman Fordney. of the House
Ways and Means Committee. ex-
pressed the belief that his plan of
giving precedence to an emergency
tariff bill and then following with
tax revision and finally with a per-
manent tariff bill would be carried
out. Senator Penrose. chairman of
the Senate Finance Committee, also
indicated that the drift OF opinion
seemed to be for a temporary tariff
bill in advance of tax revision.
A strong undercurrent of opposi-
tion to this program was in evil
dence. however. and there were
signs that the Fordney scheme might
be sidetracked and a tax bill taken
up first and the attempt to enact
temporary tariff legislation aban-
doned. Under this program a per-
manent tariff bill would be pressed
as soon as the House disposes of the
tax bill.
Penrose and Fordney Confer.
Although Senator Penrose ex-
pressed the belief that a temporary
bill could be passed in the Senate
without much delay, II was under
stood that he-was personally doubts
full about the expediency of this
program and night join with other
Senators in an effort to persuade
Chairman Fordney, of the House
Committee, to take up tax legisla-
ton first.
Senator Penrose and Representa-
tive Fordney held conference, at
| which it was decided to request Sec
retary of the Treasury Mellon to
meet with the ranking Republican
members of the two committees at
the earliest date possible, probably
today. This conference will be at
tended by Senators Penrose. Mo-
Cumber. Smoot, Curtis and Watson,
and by Representatives Fordney,
Green and Longworth. Representa-
tive Good, chairman of the House
Committee on Appropriations, also
may be present. Secretary Mellon
has been invited to bring with him
some of the Treasury experts on
tax and tariff matters.
Secretary MELONS advice will be
sought as to which measure should
be given precedence. The Senate
and House members will endeavor
to reach unanimous decision upon
program, which then will be SUBJ
mitted to President Harding for his
final approval.
Don't Like Arbitrator Role.
President Harding at Monday
nights dinner indicated that he pre-
fers that the leaders should settle
their difficulties as to course of pro-
cedure among themselves il pos-
sible rather than to force him to
act as arbitrator. =
IL became known that Represen
tative Campbell. chairman of the
House Committee on Rules. fayors
giving precedence to tax leeisla-
ton. Mr.. Campbell would be in en-
tire sympathy with the Fordney pro-
gram EXCEPT, for a belief that an
emergency tari< bill would be de-
layed to such an extent in the Sem
ate as to threaten the postponement
Of final enactment of either a tar
law or a permanent tariff measure.
The whole program will be worked
out as submitted to President Hard :
Ing during the next two or tbres
days in order that the ways ana
Means Committee may begin the
work on the drafting of a bill next
Monday.
Senator Penrose announced his in
tention to begin hearings on tax leg
islatfon before the Senate Finance
Committee before the opening of the
special session.