New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-06-24
Harding Calls
For Action ON
Tax and Tariff
Summons Chairman Ford
ney and Discusses Posi-
bilities of Early Pas
sage of Promised Laws
Revenue Act Sought First
Watson Supported i'm SEN
ate When He Asks Re-
vision Be Pushed Ahead

WASHINGTON, June 23.--President
Harding took hand in the legislative
program to-day in an effort to speed up
enactment CT tariff and tax legislation
by calling Chairman Fordney of the
IiHouse Ways and Means Committee to
the White House to discuss the posi-
bilities of early passage Of such laws.
Meanwhile the suggestion was re-
newed in the Senate by Senator Wat
son, of Indiana, Republican member
of the Finance Committee, that tax
revision be placed ahead of tariff lcgis-
lation. The question gave leaders some
trouble early in the extra session and
it's revival to-day made it appear that
another effort would be attempted to
subordinate tariff to taxation in the
legislative program.
Mr.. Fordney informed the President
that the Republican committee draft of
the permanent tariff bill would be ready
by Monday or Tuesday for considera-
ton by the full committee. He did not
indicate how much time would be re-
quired for consideration of the bill by
the whole committee membership, al
though he explained that caucus of
House Republicans would be held be-
lore the bill is submitted formally to
the House.
Watson's View Supported
Senator Watson's suggestion led to
floor statements by half dozen Re-
publican and Democratic Senators that
they would support his PROPOSAL.
"The country is in the midst of an
intense ecohqmic reaction from the
war" Senator Watson said "This is
not the fault of legislation. The coun-
try can rest assured that both the tariff
and revenue bills will pass, but my own
thought is that we cannot revive bust
ness until we first repeal the excess
profits taxes and the higher surtaxes
upon income.
"They are depre ssive influences on
business, even though they are not to
be paid, because the business depres-
SION will reduce their yield to the van
ishing point. The situation
condemns labor to idleness and its
train of economic woes"
Why look so fiercely at us Demo-
Gratis " Senator Pomerene, of Ohio, in
quired.
II was not looking fercely, but pity
ingly," Senator Watson retorted. q
am not criticizing or blaming anybody.
We can expect the general tariff bill
to- be reported to the House withirl ten
days and to be enacted within three
weeks after that. 1t will take some tine
for the tariff bill to get through the
Senate Finance Communications or
five weeks.
House to Act Meanwhile
within that period we may expect
the House to pass the revenue bill, and
that bill | hope to see taken ur and
passed in the Senate before the tariff
bill.
1--WE can formulate a tariff bill, but
with the present disturbance of interna-
ti9nal exchange and the .derange,nent
Of economic life all over the globe
conditions inevitably will make some
details Of any bill we bring out obso-
lete within six months. On the other
hand, If we pass the revenue law bust
ness will have some Reinsurance. 1t
VIII know what it's burdens are to be,
the direct burden it has to carry.
Then we can take UP the tariff and the
other questions which perplex us"