The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-24
DELAY ACTION
ON TAX BILLS
Leaders Declare That if
They Are Short of Votes
They Will Stall.
IN A FINAL EFFORT
(By Associated Press.)

Madison, Wls.-ln a final effort to
unite the Progressive Republican
forces that have parted ways on the
tax issue. Governor Blaine is holding
conference today with members preced-
ing the vote on his general income tax
bill scheduled for Wednesday.
These conferences are directed tow
ard an agreement on changes in the
governors tax bill that will please
enough senators to bring the admin
istration vote to q majority of II,
members said who are in touch with
the executive plans. These same
senators say that it is doubtful
whether changes of a nature needed
to assure the support of now opposing
senators can be made without emascu-
lating the whole bill
Conservative members of the upper
house claim a solid bloc of ID votes
providing Senator Ben Mahon, Mil
waukee, who is i'll, can be present.
On last Wednesday the Progressives
are said by the opposition to have re-
fused to pair with Senator Mahon.
Should be he absent and not paired the
conservative strength would be IS.
Socialists Not to Yield.
The three Socialist senator's say
that unless the changes they propose
are adopted their support will be
thrown against the bill. Already one
Socialist amendment has been killed,
with some of the others slated for
death due to announced opposition of
both conservatives and progressives.
If he loses the Socialist support Gov
ernor Blaine will have 16 of the 33
members against him, with possibility
of II should Senator Mahon be present.
1t is with this situation in mind that
the conferences of Progressive sena-
tors is being held, the senators say.
They are trying, they declare, to ar
rive at some compromise by amend
ment, that will satisfy some of the
opposing members. They do not in
tend, according to expression of some
members, to introduce a substitute
amendment on the theory that any
substitute plan would be accepted as
a recognition of defeat.
Severson Against Governor.
Senator e. J. Severson, lola. former
administration leader on all tax mat
tiers, after checking the senate, said
that in his opinion at least 10 votes
are aligned against the governors bill.
He is opposing the measure on the
GROUND, he says, that it is unavoidable
His own tax bill, surtax on incomes
a -.
nesday's calendar along with that Of
Governor Blaine. Senator Severson is
of the opinion that his measure stands
better chance of passing than does
the Blaine bill.
Speaker Dahl. author of the third
general income tax bill before the leg
islature, had his bill sent back to the
finance committee for a report, after
he refused to accept the first commit
tee report made without recommends
ton. He ruled that the committee
was required to express it's attitude
toward the proposal.
May Not Vote Tomorrow.
The tax fight at present is center
ing in the senate where the lines are
closely drawn with factional differ
ences clearly marked and the organi-
cation of groups complete.
When the governors bill is reached
as special order of business on We'd
nesday the Socialist amendment pro-
posing to make stock dividends tax
able as income will be the first prop
osition to be acted upon. A long
drawn out fight is expected on this
one amendment with members consid-
ering it doubtful whether they will
be able to vote on the bill itself
before night
Senator O. H. Johnson, leading the
fight for the governor, said that the
Progressives backing Governor Blaine,
plan to fight every inch OF the way
He intimated that should they feel
themselves outnumbered they may
again stall for time