The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1925-02-26
68th Congress Nears End
Lively Scramble Over Bills
BY National Editorial Association

pass into history. No set of rela.
tives ever manifested more concern
over the requests of a dying, rich
man than members of the Senate
and House have displayed over last
minute legislation. There is hustle
and hustle everywhere as members
endeavor to rescue legislative meas
ures which are important to their
particular districts.
During the last few days night
sessions have been held so that sew
eral hundred minor bills could be
considered. Members of Congress
must of necessity spend some time
in their districts between now and
the next session in December.
Hence, the eleventh-hour effort to
provide a good record or ar alibi to
satisfy their constituents.
Those in official life having an in
terest in tax reduction are a%nxiously
awaiting the compilation of income
tax payments due on March Is. 1t
is expected that the collections will
be very heavy. In anticipation of
a large surplus the secretary of the
treasury and tax experts in Congress
are outlining legislative measures to
bring about tax relief.
It is said that about $58,G00,000
was saved in federal appropriations
for the next fiscal year. The budget
bureau, under the direction of the
president, Topped off approximately
$42, 900, 900 from the departmental
estimates of the present year. Con-
gress claims that it further reduced
the appropriation $4,000, 900. There
is some debate as to the effects of
the proposed $3.50, 600, 900 omnibus
building bill on tax reduction. This
measure which is awaiting attention
in the Senate would authorize the
construction of postofiices and other
buildings throughout the country. 1t
may be necessary, but a drain on
the treasury is involved.
The story is current in official cir
cles that the Democrats will advo-
cate increasing exemption of family
heads to $4,000 under a new evenue
act. A proposal of this kind would
obviously affect the majority of
American families, as the average
citizen does not earn $4,000 a year.
The exemption for those chArged
with family responsibilities was in
creased considerable when the pres
ent revenue bill was drafted. 1t is
obvious that there will be consider
able trading of ideas between Re-
publicans and Democrats in the house
committee on ways and means.
Proposals have been made to call
a meeting of the committee in Sep
TENDER, to revise the present tax bill.
The opposition to the theory of low
err surtaxes is waning. The Admin
istration, through the Treasury De-
partment, will advocate revision of
Federal estate taxes which are now
almost c~onfscatory a. several states
also impose a similar levy.
Another effort will be made to re-
duce the volume Of securities which
are now exempt from taxation. 1t
the surplus from tax collections is
sufficient to warrant such a proposal
Secretary Mellon will probably adj
vocate a Is per cent rate for sur
taxes instead of 25 per cent. The
present rate is a compromise of 37h =,
per cent. !
Legislators from the rural sections
of the West have indicated that they
will talk over questions of foreign
debt and domestic prosperity with
their constituents during the sum-
mer. Some Congressman have gone
on record of late opposing the float
ing of foreign oans in this country
of nations now indebted to the Fed
eral Government.
Congressman Lozier, of Missouri,
stated this week that more than
four billion dollars of American
money has been withdrawn from
domestic channels and sent over
seas. He believes that this is too
lavish an investment of American
money. "It is" he says, "retarding
the economic reconstruction of
America and delaying the recon-
struction of American agriculture" !
The proposal of Lozier that bank
ers should not make foreign loans
while there is a substantial demand
for domestic purposes, will not go
very far. 1t may be ideal, but not
practical.
The demand for legislative pana-
ceas seldom, if ever, dwindles. All
classes come to Congress with hard
luck stories. There r a number
of bills designed to give legislative
aid to various industries which will
die from lack of attention.
The Department of Labor has