The Washington times., 1924-01-08
CAPPER IS
To LEAD
tack
Senator Wants Farmers to Get
Aid-outIines Program
Of Legislation.
BY WILLIAM K. HUTCHINSON,
International News Service.

International News Service.
The farm blocs in Congress
will join the opposition to the
Mellen tax reduction program "in
certain aspects" it was announced
today by Senator Arthur Capper
(Rep.) Of Kansas, chairman Of
the Senate bloc.
The agriculturists will get into
the free-for-all fight, he said, in
order to insure to the farmer
"a fair share Of relief" from the
present burdens of taxation and
to oppose Melons recommends
tions affecting millionaire in
comes"
Senator Cappers' Views.
In discussing the blocs' program
today, Senator Capper said:
THE general taxpayer will be
given substantial relief. We should
also reduce some of the surtaxes,
but Secretary Melons proposed re-
duction Of surfaces on incomes over
100000 goes much too far. Con-
gress will not take off as much
from the incomes of millionaires as
the secretary has proposed"
Capper made public a tentative
legislative program for the Senate
farm bloc and tax reduction legis-
lation topped it.
Other legislative proposals were:
l. Repeal of Section 15-A, the So
called guaranty clause in the Cum
mins-Esch act:
2. Prompt reduction of excessive
freight rates;
8. Strict economy in Government
departments;
4. Prohibition Of further issuance
OF tax-exempt securities and an in
crease Of inheritance taxes on tax
free securities found in estates;
S. Government support for the CO.
operative marketing system;
6. Organization of q Government
marketing corporation for sale Of
surplus crops abroad, similar to the
Norris bill:
Z. Development of the Great
Lakes-st. Lawrence waterway pro-
jecf. st&
g., Downward revision aof the
tariff on some articles bought by
the farmer.
Means to Aid Business.
Business men should be aiding
instead Of opposing the efforts Of
the farm blocs in Congress, cap
per said, in explaining the program.
What these legislative groups seek
to do is more necessary for national
welfare and the good of all the
people, than for the farmer and
Stockman. whom they hope to
benefit directly. To benefit the
latter would be to benefit the whole
nation"
On the tax reduction program,
Capper declared Congress was sure
to enact it. But he voiced some
opposition to the Mellon plan.
''Tho program enacted by Con-
gress will not be in every detail
what Secretary Mellon proposes"
he said. "In it's effect on the gen.
Oral taxpayer, / believe Congress
win give all tho relief suggested oy
Secretary Mellon and probably
more, but it certainly will not
take off quite so much from the
millionaires as Mellon has recon-
mended.
''Tax relief should come first to
those Npon whom the burden bears
heaviest. The man who works for
his income-farmer or laborer-and
the man who derives 1t from his
ability, initiative, and capital in
vested in his business, factory or
farm, should be given real relief.
He should not be penalized by Sc.
curities and stock dividend melons"
Capper advocated lower normal
taxes, q discrimination In favor of
earned" incomes and abolition OF
nuisance taxes. He predicted a
sharp fight before the final tax
changes are enacted into law.