The Washington times., 1922-05-02
7
SENATORS
ANGRY At
CRITICISM
Consider Conference Report
Fair-Taxpayers Plan Ap-
peal to President.

Despite District opposition, there
is not likely to be any change in
the tax rider" in the District ap-
preparation bill.
The attitude of the House and
Xenate conferees seem TO be
we're through. We fought for
six weeks to compromise on this
plan and 1t represents the best we
can do"
Senators Resent Attacks.
In this attitude they have the un.
divided support of the Republican
leaders In both houses. In the Sen.
ate II is well understood there Is re-
sen tment on the part of certain
powerful Senators who are known
TO be friends of Washington because
OF the sharp attack now being made
upon the conference report.
The olive branch has been ex-
tended to the District taxpayers in
the shape Of the Jones resolution,
which purports TO offer a complete
inquiry into the tax situation here,
particularly with reference TO the
District surplus now deposited I'm the
Federal treasury. When this resolu-
ton is reported favorably from the
Senate District Committee tomorrow
the conferees will be ready to ask
for action upon their report from the
House and Senate.
There Is no doubt that the House,
with formal vote OF confidence, will
back up Congressman Davis and Ben
johnson in the tax plan which they
have won from the Senate. II is
taken for granted the conferees will
be instructed TO stick to the tax
rider and not permit any modifica-
ton. .
Senate Can Block Report.
In the Senate a different situation
exists. 1t is conceded that the Senate
by a formal vote will accept the con-
ference report, but It il we'll known
that the tax legislation can be
knocked out II any Senator chooses
to make a point of order against II,
and II is understood such a point OF
order will be made.
Should this point OF order be made
the Senate conferees probably will
attempt 10 overrliie the point by a
majority vote in the Senate. II is
not often that a ruling of the chair
is overruled in this way, but when
Il is recognized that the emasculation
OF the conference report on the floor
of the Senate may lead to the failure
of the passage Of any District bill in
advance Of the new fiscal year, II is
possible that procedure will be re-
sorted to.
Senators Phipps and Wesley Jones
are making no statements for pub
lication, but 1t is understood they
are angered over the reception which
the conference report has received
In Washington. On their behalf, IL
is said the compromise was the best
bargain they could obtain from the
House conferees, and that the city
has ben fortunate in not having n
worse tan law ssddled upon it.
Plan tn Defeat Bill.
The Federation Of Citizens As.
sociation Is determined to defeat the
District appropriation bill now be
fore Congress, IL II carries with Il
the conference amendment contain
ing changes in taxation.
This afternoon three delegates
from the Federation, w. S. Torbert,
u. II Turner and H. J. Overmsn,
appointed at its meeting last night
In the District building, attended the
joint conference with the special
committee OF the Washington Real
Estate Board and committees OF
other civic organizs tions in the Of
flee Of the Washington Real Estate
Board. The conference report was
discussed as we'll as means for the
defeat of the District appropriation
bill ~ II carries the conferees'
amendment.
The resolution Of the Federation
opposing the conference amendment
to the bill now before Congress was
adopted unanimously all OF the
forty-two delegates present voting
Tor the resolution. 4,
A copy OF the resolution win be
sent 20 President Harding, to the
president Of the Senate, 10 the
Speaker of the House, chairman OF
the Senate and House committees OF
the District, and to the Appropria-
tons COMMITTEES.
The resolution Is opposed in prin-
ciple 10. taxation originating In con-
ference report and not based upon
n bill or amendment IN the House
or Senate, as opposed to rules of
those bodies and TO the spirit II
not the letter of the Constitution.
Call for Representation.
It also is opposed to taxation
without representation and without
opportunity OF those taxed TO be
heard.
The effort 10 raise in advance at
the beginning of the fiscal year a
sum equal TO expenditures through
out the year the resolution declared
TO be manifestly unfair and to show
want OF due consideration of the
taxpayer, in view of the fact that
the funds would be held and used
by the United States without in.
terest before II would have to pay
for It's part fixed by its Congress.
The resolution contends that the
half-snd-half ratio is fair, and Il is
opposed to the fixing from year to
year In taxation or appropriation
bills OF the proportions to be paid