Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-07
WASHINGTON IS
AMAZED over
GARNER FIGHT
Opposition Is Backed
BY Lobby For APP
peal of Estate Tax,
Tirnmons Asserts

Bascom N. Timmons. writing from
Washington, in an article appearing
In the San Antonio Express, has the
Following to say concerning the
light being waeed On Congressman
John N. Garner:
Reports here today that a mighty
organized campaign is being conduct
ed against Representative John N.
Iarner of Texas. with the hope OF
defeating him for reelection. created
Amusement on both the republican
\ democratic sides of the house
of representatives.
Garner himself declined to discuss
the reports, which nave been receiv-
ed from time to time. but which
are now said to be srbstantiated.
other members said that there is
no doubt that the campaign against
1arner Is on in real earnest. The
amusement at the report arises out
OF the fact that Garner has risen 70
a higher position in the house of
representatives han any Texan has
reid since Texas first came into the
Union in 1s4s.
The Uvalde man IS ranking demo-
cratic member on the Ways and
taeans committee. the most import
ant Of committees in the house Of
representatives. is his party's lead
er in all taxation and tariff mea-
sures' rs universally regarded as one
OF the ablest financial experts in the
house of representatives today, and
is n of the two outstanding fig
ures IN the house OF representatives.
In the event or democratic sue
cess IN the election this fall, Garner
VIII have his choice OF being speaker
OF the house OF representatives or
taking the craftsmanship Of the
Ways and Means committee and floor
leader. Whether or not the demo-
Gratis are successful. Garner will be-
come the democratic house leader,
succeeding 10 the leadership now
held BY Representative Finis Garrett
OF Tennessee. who is retiring 20 be-
come n candidate for the United
States senate.
An organization which lobhied for
the repeal Of the Inheritance tax
IS said to be back Of the opposition
TO the dean Of the Texas delegation.
who is completing his Goth year in
the house. Garner ( n his opposition
10 this repeal was backed up by the
is democratic and one republican
representatives from Texas. as we'll
rs by Senators Sheppard and May
field.
Members today commented on the
fact that Garner. who led the fight
for the recognition or the Texas
community property tax laws and
saved Texas taxpayers tens Of mil
lions Of dollars in federal tax from
this source. should have opposition
because of his opposition 10 tho re-
peal Of the estate tax. for whereas
the estate tax affects only a few Of
the larger estates in Texas. the COM
munity tax affects every moderate
income taxpayer from Texas.
In this connection the audited
statement Of the last year for which
treasury figures are complete dis
closed that the total nurher of per-
son affected BY the estate tax in
Texas that year was 20T and that
these 201 were wealthy is shown BY
the fact they had gross estates or
S~50.96s.772. The net taxes they
paid amounted 70 only s1.541.s91.
On the other hand. Gamers sue
cessful community tax fight affect
ed a saving for 9.762 Texans with
a net annual income Of S136.249.-
204. For seven years Congressman
Garner and Secretary or ire Treas
ury Mellon hive fought n spectacular
battle over community property.
Mellon holding that recognition Or
this tax gave Texans an unfair adj
vantage over the taxpayers Of nom
community property FAX states and
Garner insisting that the Texas con-
stitutional provisions as ia commun-
ity property made II necessary for
the treasury department to accent
the Texas community tax returns.
Members said todav that il "A lead
er Of Gamers calibre could be
singled out for defeat because Of
his resistance to 4 powerful lobby
IL would 80 a long way toward de
stroying independence Of members
from such Hobbies.
Despite reports here that n ire
mendous sum is to be spent against
Garner. his colleagues. both demo-
cratic and republican. today expect
ed to see the picturesque Texan
come through with flying colors. lie
will leave for Texas within a few
days TO begin his campaign.
Garner is a whirlwind ~campaigner