Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-15
Bone of Contention Is
Revision of Income
Taxes = Rep. Mills
Warns Democrats If
Their Plan Is Ac-
copied, Responsible
ity Will Be Theirs in
Raising Revenue -
Garner, Democrat,
Criticizes Address of
Coolidge

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE fight
over the tax bill. centering, on the
revision OF income taxes, today
reached the floor of the house.
General debate was begun on the
measure. which substantially carries
out the recommendations OF Sccre-
tary Mellon, under an agreement ror
its termination at four +. NJ. Mon
day. Thereafter amendments will be
in order. with the Income tax section
expected to be disposed OF first.
Members Of the ways and means
committee, which framed the meas
IRE. occupied the floor today. After
Chairman Green, of Iowa, had ex-
planned the general provisions OF the
bill, Representatives Garner or
Texas. ranking Democrat on the
committee, and Mills. Republican.
New York, whom Mr.. Garner singled
out as the spokesman of the ad-
ministration.' opened the debate In
partisan speeches provoking many
personal exchanges.
Mr. Mills, who is staunch advo-
cate of the Mellon tax rates, said he
expected that about twenty or tIir-
~ men elected as Republicans would
join the Democrats when the critical
sections of the bill were reached and
granted that the minority will then
be tho majority" He declared, how
ever, that according 10 treasury esti
mates, the Democratic tax reduction
plan would result in a loss in revenue
of S620,000000 annually against an
estimated surplus annually under the
present system of 1920, 100000. lie
warned the Democrats that they
would he charged with responsible
ity, If their plan was accepted, for
raising sufficient revenue to operate
tho government.
Representative Garner charged the
public had never been given an OPP
portunity to study the Democrat tax
reduction plan proposing lower nor
NAL income rates and higher surtaXes
than the Mellon scheme. because of
extensive propaganda for the Mel
lon plan" He also criticized the ad-
dress of President Coolidge at New
York Tuesday as unprecedented
and humilinting to members OF con-
gress" In its appeal for the public
TO let congress know it's wishes OF
tax reduction"
The debate attracted largo at
tendance on the floor and the CALLER
ies were filled as the bill, providing
for n complete revision of the income
taxes, was taken up after two
months consideration in committee.
Applause was frequently on the floor
as speakers drove home their points.
The solid Democratic OPPOSITION 70
the incmoe rates section of the bill,
brought about hNa party caucus vote,
was Joined today by some of the
members of the Republican insur-
gent group. leaders Of which nm
nounced after II meeting that they
would support the proposal of Rep
rcscntative Frear Republican, Wis
cousin. and If this bill fails, vote for
the Democratic plan.
Mr.. Frear will submit an amend
mcnt TO cut the normal income taxes
so per cent and leave tho surtav
maximum at 50 per cent. Demo :
Gratis want the maximum surtaX cut
10 a per cent, whereas the Mellon
plan provides for maximum rate
of % per cent.
DcspIte the stand of tho Demo-
Gratis, Representative Begg. Republic
can. Ohio. who has conducted a pom
of the Republican delegations, pre-
diCtcl today that Republicans would
agree upon a surtaX rate lower than
that proposed by the minority.
Mr.. Garner announced Democrats
were anxious to expedite passage or
,he hill and Chairman Green said an
agreement would he sought 10 take
mp on next Tuesday the income rates
section, tho vital point of the meas
ute.