Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-12
PROMISE EARLY
START ON PROPOSED
TAX REDUCTION

Washington. Dec. 11-Definite as
surance that tax reduction legisla-
ton will be considered promptly by
the house ways and means commit
tee was given tonight by Representa-
tive Green. of Iowa, prospective
chairman, after a conference with
Republican members of the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Green in a formal statement
said he expected to call the commit
tee together Monday to take up the
draft of the bill submitted by the
treasury, and thereafter proceed
with the work of revision as rapidly
as is consistent with accuracy and
thorough consideration"
1T is obvious" the statement con-
tlnued, that SO great task as is
now presented toSthe commission
cannot be disposed of summarily, but
1t should also be borne in mind that
the income taxes affected by the pro-
posed measure will not be payable
until 1925"
Declaring that the ways and
means committee always has been
favorable to tax reduction, Mr.. Green
asserted that it ought to be clear to
everyone that taxation should not
be continued at rate that would
enable the government to pile up a
large surplus "above a necessary
working balance and the payments
upon the debt through the sinking
fund.-
THE time also has arrived" he
added. when a complete revision of
our revenue laws should be made for
the purpose of their simplifi cation
IN the interest of the tax payer and
the treasury alike and also for the
purpose of preventing evasions."
Republican members of the COM
mlttee. meeting for the first time to-
day. discussed in a general way, its
} program for the session. There was
no definite expression of opinion, it
was said, as to the merits of Mr.. Mel
IONS tax reduction suggestions, nor
was there a discussion of the SOL
dlers' bonus bill Mr.. Green and re-
personalities Hawley of Oregon and
lreadway. of Massa chusetts, ranking
Republicans of the committee, were
designated to confer tomorrow with
MIR. Mellon on fiscal matters as a
preliminary to next weeks commit
tee sessions.
Members of the committee said
they expect that once hearings get
under way Secretary Mellon will ap-
pear in person, as he has done fire.
quently in the past. to explain his
tax proposals and to submit argu-
ment in their support. Other treas.
ury experts also will be heard.
While the Republicans on the
ways and means committee, which
must pass on any tax legislation be-
lore 1T can come before the house,
were holding their meetings TODAY
Republican house members who are
war veterans continued to make
plans for pressing the soldiers bonus
Dill to vote. A meeting of the
Republican former service men will
be held tomorrow. and it was indi.
Gated that unless a bonus bill was
reported to the house without de-
lay they would launch a movement
10 nave the Republican membership
or the house, at a conference. in
struct the ways and means commit
tee to report the measure.
FORMER service men in the house
generally favor re-introducing and
passage of the bill vetoed during the
last congress by President Harding
Ihey predict that not more than
sixty votes will be cast against it in
the house and that 1t will receive
enough votes in the senate to insure
its passage over presidential veto.