The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-11-26
ROBINSON
BANS GUT
IN TAX
Democratic Senate Leader
Calls for Soldiers Bonus
Before Reduction.
BY KENNETH w. CLARK.
International News Service.

international News Service.
Senator Joe Robinson of Arkansas,
who will be the new and militant
Democratic leader in the Senate.
served notice today that the Demo
Gratis Of the Sixtyeighth Congress
win not accept the Mellon tax reduc-
ton program at the expense Of the
soldiers bonus.
Congress can and will reduce
taxes and pass compensation bill.
long overdue said Senator Robin
son. In any event, legislation for
disabled veterans, adequate nos
p1talization and compensation must
be provided whatever else is done
Speaks For Party.
There is little likelihood that Con-
gress will accept the Mellon plan of
no bonus, Robinson declared.
If the Administration commits It.
self to the policy that nuisance taxes
cannot be abolished and income rates
on earned income cannot be lowered
IL bonus is passed, then there will
be little accomplished in the way Of
tax reduction" the minority leader
continued.
Senator Robinson also served
notice that the Democrats are going
to wage a strenuous fight for the re-
duction of tariff rates.
Many Democrats, including NV.
self, he said, believe a number Of
features OF tariff reform should re-
.celVe consideration, and that a re-
Ief from them would prove crafty
ing and beneficial to the general pub
lie.
Favors Bond Issue.
AS to how the bonus should be
PAID, Senator Robinson said a bond
issue could be put out that would
not in the slightest inpair the
security Of any OBLIGATIONS now in
existence
Robinson was chary of predictipv
what the new session might he ey,
way. " '0is1tis0
The policies defined by the pres
enI Congress probably viii greatly
influence the national elections of
1919. Until the sphinx in the White
aouse breaks his protracted silence
ana informs the Congress respectinr
ms views and recommendations il is
impossible to gauge Legislative is
Sues" he declared.
THE present political prospects
are encouraging to the Democrats.
Our chances for success in the an
preaching campaign are good. They
are constantly improving.
In 1920 the Republican party Sc
cured an overwhelming majority.
rms was due in large part to the I'M
rest, dissatisfaction and discomfort
incident to postwar problems and
condition.
The Democrats in the last cam
pa1gn labored under great disadvan-
tage. Their opponents, for the pur.
pose OF obtaining political advan.
tage, deliberately stimulated resent.
ment against President Wilson and
ms administration. They went too
Tar and aroused I'll feeling against
the Government itself. They skill
fully Sowed broadcast the seeds of
suspicion and mistrust and are now
reaplng the harvest of discomfort
and hatred.
Fruit Of Victory Bitter.
They denounced President Wilson
and the Democratic party for the
passage of war legislation, which re-
ce1Ved practically the unanimous
support from both Democrats and
Republicans. They charged Demo.
Gratis with sole responsibility for ex-
travagant expenditures and subse-
quent high taxes.
1.-THE fruits of their victory proved
bitter. Republican leaders were un-
able substantially to reduce taxes.
A comparison of the reduction made
by them in Government expenses
with those accomplished by the
Democrats during the closing years
of Wilson's administration impeach
the sincerity of their pledges to
economic.
Problems Now Faced.
1.-THE problems to come before the
next session are important and diff
ficult. They include measures re-
lating to better provision for dis
abled veterans, the reductions OF
both internal revenue and tariff
duties on certain necessities OF life,
consideration of transportation con-
dttions, especially relating to freight
rates as they affect the market Tor
stable agricultural produces, the
Pullman surcharge, and the d1spo'
sition Of Muscle Shoals.
"Of course, our foreign relations
will REQUIRE consideration and pro-
woke discussion. The situation Will