Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-19
Watson Sees Speedy Passage
of Revenue Measure to
Nations Good.
REPUBLICAN SPOKESMAN
AND GARNER IN FARLEY
Sees Small Difference Between
Parties in Levy Ideas-Rate
Discussions Wait.
IN the Associated Press.

En- the Associated Press.
Senator Watson of Indiana, the Re-
publican leader, in q conference with
Representative Garner today, informed
the Texas Democratic leader the Re.
publican majority in the Senate would
be disposed to accept a reasonable" ta1
meausre framed by the House Demo.
Gratis.
In expressing this belief to the Texan
Watson took into consideration the fact
that revenue legislation must originate
in the House, and that body viii
be controlled by the Democrats, while
the Republicans will have a scant ma.
jority in the Senate.
"Of course, 7. am taking nothing un.
seem" said Watson, but 7 believe it IL
be to the best interest of the country Il
get the tax legislation enacted quickly
Nothing is worse than uncertainty wher
BIT affects business.
Urges Speedy Enactment.
IT believe the two parties will not bt
Tar apart IN their tax views, and rather
than delay this question over q long De.
Rod, I think 1t to the best interest Il
get the revenue measure enacted
Pending announcement of the admin.
istration's tax plan and the decision Of
the Democrats on a revenue bill, the
leaders have not engaged in any specific
rate-maks.g discussion.
Increases in the income taxes and II
the Inheritance levy have been to tbs
fore and some have advocated levyins
new excise taxes on large number Of
commodities.
Representative Smell, Republican
New York, said today, he wouldn't bt
surprised" II the present income ta1
exemptions had to be lowered.
At the same time, he said, We've got
to get :aoSt of our revenue from the gift
taxes, inheritance taxes and levies for
the higher brackets since that Is whert
most CT the money is" He declined Il
say whether he would favor a genera
sales tax, edt said limited levy of tina
kind might get through" -
The sales tax was opposed by Repre-
sentative Collier OF Mississippi; pros
pective chairman Of the Ways an.
Means Committee If the Democrat
organize the House. IS.
III. we need more money" Collie
said, I'VE know where to get it. It VII
Collier said he was opposed to an,
change in the present income tai
exemptions.
1T has been my hope q tax in.
crease would not be necessary" thu
MissiSsippian said. IF it Is, however
it Will not come from the little fellow.
He said a sales tax was Objectionable
in permitting the transfer of the burden
directly to the poor consumer.
Significance has been attached Il
the proposal Of Chairman Smoot o
the. Senate Finance Committee for new
excise, or sales-tax levies, and for IN
creased rates on incomes.
The Utah Senator, often the admin
istration's spokesman on revenue legis
lation, suggested raises on all income
tax brackets to as high as 40 per cen
on incomes of more than 100000.
Most of the Democrats and Western
independent Republicans have favoreS
increases only in the higher brackets
They have opposed also, general.
speaking, the plan by Senator Reed
Republican, Pennsylvania, for a gen
eral sales tax.
Agree on Revision Need.
The majority of the Senate ant
House have agreed that some revision
will be necessary in the next Congress.
to meet the accumulated deficit.
Representative Tilson of Connecticut
said today at a conference with news.
paper men that he had hoped an in.
crease in taxes would be unnecessary
He added, however, that If the condi.
ton of the Treasury showed additions
revenues were needed, he was ready "tc
submit to the inevitable"
The Republican floor leader in the
last CONGRESS said the Treasury 0nIohi
to be able to give considerable enlight-
eminent on the subject following its ex-
haustive study of the revenue situation
Tlson reiterated opposition to q raise
in taxes If it could be avoided. He ex-
planned, however, that Treasury
deficit might be more harmful than ar
increase in taxes would be to business.