Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-13
JNACTION IN CONGRESS-
WORRIES ADMINISTRATORS
Ry David Lawrence
leased Wire Service to The journal


Copyright, 1924, NV,
WASHINGTON, March FL . ne
administration is face to race VIII
a critical situation i'll congress Inc
principal recommendations made by
President Coolidge in his December
address have not been acted upon
Even the intimation conveyed NY
the White House last week that the
president would like to see congress
pass a joint resolution making I'M
mediately effective the 20 per cent
reduction on 1923 incomes has thus
far failed to produce action.
The utter ineffectiveness of the
legislative branch of the government
at this time is the subject of VIDE
spread complaint, judging by the
letters pouring in here from differ
ent parts of the country The adj
ADMINISTRATION is inclined to blame the
Congressional tendency to lnvestl'
gate instead Of legislate. Mr.. Cool
1 idge mate a pointed speech on that
Iuhase OF congressional duty last Sat
urday night and it means the adj
ADMINISTRATION has begun to realize
the necessity OF driving congress
somewhat, or at least placing the
responsibility for inaction on the
two houses.
Taxpayers Disappointed
Perhaps the most fragrant case OF
congressional lassitude is the record
of both Democrats and Republicans
on the proposal to give the tax
PAYERS of America the benefit on
March Is OF this year of a reduc
ton in the 1928 income taxes
Throughout the United States. citt
zens have been making out then
returns in the hope that before Sat
urday OF this week when the first
income tax payments are due, con
gress might get into action anc
pass the necessary legislation.
If congress wanted to make the
legislation Immediately effective. i
have been known to pa without
the formality of a roll call, and il
war times congress frequently broke
its own records in passing needed
legislation.
The responsibility for the delay il
making the 1923 income tax reduc
ton effective at once is not upOI
the White House. while the treas
ury department mas urged action o
some kind at once so that uncertain
ty would be removed. The propose
originated with Chairman Green o
the house ways and means commit
tee which maize it part of the genera
revenue bill.
Democrats Sought Action
The Democrats promptly suggested
separate legislation by means of
iolnt resolution SO that the latte
might so through without waitint
Tor the inevitable debate on The
main revenue law affecting 1872.
incomes The Democrats also Pre-
posed that the Garner rates apply t
1928. The ways and means CON
mittee had the power to report on
to the house resolution affcctin:
1923 incomes. but did not do so ant
there is much gossip as 70 whethe
some aGmiuiStrot ton leaders use
their influence to keep the measur
In committee or force the propoSa
could be done Joint conference
out. There are some, for instance
who thought the provision affectini
1928 incomes might be used as lever
age to force quick action on tn
main revenue bill and that the tan
PAYERS could not be injured by tn
delay because rebate could alwaN
he given, or else the taxpayer h
permitted 10 omit one OF the quarter
~ installments on The 18th of Jun'
september az December