Evening star., 1926-02-09
REPUBLICATION
REPEAL ASSURED
Senate Action Ends Fight to
Stop Opening Returns
Books for Public.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Repeal of the law allowing publica-
ton of the amounts of income tax
payments is assured, the Senate hav-
ing approved this provision written
into the tax reduction bill by the
House.
Before accepting by aCclamation the
repeal provision the Senate rejected,
49 to 80. an amendment by Senator
Norris. Republican. Nebraska, propos-
ing OF make all income tax returns
subject to public inspection.
This action. taken last night at the
first night session. disposed Of one of
the principal points of controversy In
the revenue bill and which developed
a four-day fight, followed by a per
sonal exchange between Senator
Couzens, Republican, Michigan, and
Chairman Smoot of the finance com
mittee, in charge of the bill.
Charges Sharp Practice.
Senator Couzens charged Senator
Smoot had engaged in sharp prac-
tees in obtaining an agreement from
him on an hour for a vote on the pub
licity provision and then "tricking him
out OF promised time In which to
speak" After Senator Couzens had
been denied the floor on a point of
order raised by Senator Reed, Demo-
crat, of Missouri, who said he was
violating Senate rules by impugning
the Integrity of a Senator" Senator
Smoot vigorously denied the accusa-
uons.
Later. when offered an opportunity
In which to speak. Senator Couzens
said he felt too contemptuous to
make any statement which will be
within the Senate rules"
Both advocates and opponents of the
full publicity provision denounced the
present law allowing publication of
the amounts of income tax payments.
and no attempt was made to amend
the bill to provide for its continuance.
Despite the decision on publicity the
Senate still faces more than so amend
ments pending against the tax reduc-
ton bill, including the proposal of
many Senators to continue the inheri-
tance and gift taxes, which the Sen
ate bill would repeal.
Promise Long Fight.
Opponents of the repeal of the in
heritance tax, comprising about the
same group who fought for publicity
of returns. have promised a "long
fight" and managers of the bill were
gram of long day and night sessions.
Wednesday had been set as the dead
line for passage of the bill
Fifteen Republicans, 16 Democrats
and one Farmer-Lahor voted for pub
licity, while 33 Republicans and 16
Democrats opposed the provision.
The vote removed one Of the main
stumbling blocks in the Senate con-
sideration of the tax reduction bill and
Foil
question of publicity.
Those voting for publicity were:
Republicans, Borah, Capper, Couzens,
Frazier, Gooding, Howell. Johnson,
Jones of Washington, La Toilette,
Lenroot. McMaster. McNary, Norbeck,
Norris and Nye. Total, Is.
Democrats, Ashurst. Blease, Brat.
ton, Dill. Ferris, Harris, Hef1in, Kend-
rick, King. Mcclellan. Neely, Reed of
Missouri, Sheppard. Smith, Trammel
and Walsh. Total. le
Farmer-Labor, Shipstead. Total, /.
Grand total. 80.
Opponents of Provision.
Those voting against were:
Republicans, Bingham, Butler, Cam
eron, Dale, Deneen, Edge, Ernst, Fer.
nald, Fess, Gillett, Goff, Hale, Harreld,
Keyes. Mckinley, Mclean, Metcalf.
Moses, Oddie, Pepper, Reed Of Penn
sylvania, Robinson of Indiana, Sackett,
Schall. Shortridge. Smoot, Stanfield,
Wadsworth. Warren. Watson, Weller,
Williams and Willis. Total SO.
Democrats: Bayard, Rroussard, Bruce.
Copeland. Edwards, Fletcher, George.
Gerry, Glass, Harrison, Overman, Pitt.
man, Ransdell, Simmons, Stephens
and Swanson. Total, Is. Grand total.
49,
The bill, as it now stands, provides
that tax returns shall be opened to
investigation by special congressional
committees and also provides for the
appointment Of a joint congressinaI
committee Of 10 to investigate and keep
in touch with the administration Of
the Internal Revenue Bureau at all
times.
The latter committee would have
power to inspect all returns. and those
opposing full publicity regarded this
as a compromise on the present law
allowing publication Of the amounts Of
tax payments.