The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-05
COOLIDGE ID BACK MELLON TAX BILL. Determined To Oppose Any Effort To Alter Original
 Draft

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-(By the Associated Press.)-President Cool fdge is opposed to any attempts by Congress to alter the essential pro- visions of the administrators tax bill.
 This announcement was made to- day at the White House as the House ways and means committee contin- ued its consideration of the measure, and republican leaders of the House redoubled their efforts to postpone action on the soldiers bonus until something affirmative is done on tax revision.
 Terse comment on the situation at the White House was to the effect that any attempt by Congress to com promise the principles embodied in the plan outlined by Secretary Mel lon would meet with the Presidents opposition. Mir. Coolidge, it was as- serted, has confidence that Congress can be depended upon to refuse com promises in principles and to trans late into law the will of the people. no effort to bring pressure upon in- dividua1 members of Congress in sup port of his views.
 Stock Dividend Amendment Killed.
 Outstanding in the developments in the ways and means committees consideration of the draft submitted by the treasury was the rejection of an amendment to make gains from stock dividends subject to the regu- lar income taxes. Representative Rainey, democrat. Illinois, proposed the amendment, which was voted down, 12 to II. He announced he would bring up the question again.
 If the bill is not amended in this respect. gains from the sale of stock dividends after two years will be taxed only to a maximum of 12 1-2 per cent. the regular normal and sur tax rates prevailing within the two year period.
 The committee pressed forward un- der it's agreement to consider admin istrative features of the bill, then to determine whether bonus bill should be passed and finally to act on proposed changes in tax rates.
 The republican steering committee of the House. however, in discussing the legislative program today, seemed inclined to postpone showdown on the bonus, and leaders got into touch with republican former service men. who are demanding a party confer ence next Thursday on the question, with view to having them alter the plans.
 IscpIeSeHtdtlNe Long worth QeClareQ he favored postponement of the con- ference until the ways and means committee had ample opportunity" to act on the tax bill, including pro- visions proposing changes in rates He expressed confidence that those in favor of calling the republican conference would be inclined to give the committee a chance to pass on tEe provisions of the bill without Forcing report of bonus legislation.
 O o O
 BonuSF Advocates Confident.
 Reeves" 2tatives who have been cir tulatinS petitions for the conference, amoag them Represent Johnson, south Dakota, and Fitzgerald, Ohio, said that they had more than enough names to insure the calling of d con- trcnce The petitions. they said, had not been suifmitted. however and it nay be decided to give the committee reasonable time in which to re- port bonus bill. A number of the 5ousc who are war veterans, they de- Jared. are determined however. that
 conference shall be held for q nfeshlng out of the bonus question.
 Those in the charge of the circu- alton of the petitions said they prob ibly would not decide until the first 'f the week whether they should Hess their demands for the meeting.