Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-22
TAX FIGHT BEGUN
At CAPITOL WITH
ROBINSON BARRAGE
Democratic Leader Says
General Sales Levy Is OBJ
jectionabIe All Around.
G. o. P. WILL BE HELD
RESPONSIBLE IN DEFICIT
Smoot Disagrees With Statement
British Tariff Is Serious In
jury to U. S. Trade.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Federal tax increases and the prob
able effect on American commerce of
the British tariffs now about to go into
effect held the center of the stage on
Capitol Hill yesterday.
Senator Joseph T. Robinson of Ar
kansas, Democratic leader of the Sem
ate, vice presidential nominee of 4ae
party in 1928 and one of those men
toned as presidential timber for next
year, returned to Washington and gave
ms views on taxation and the tariff
He made no specific recommendation
Tor tax revision, although he indicated
some increases in Surtaxes might be
expected. He added that he would
nave no objections to considering pro-
posals for tax on the sale of COM
modlties generally admitted to be luxu-
ries"
i would regard general sales TAI
as Objectionable from every stand
point" said Senator Robinson, however,
The indications are the Democrats
in Congress will wait until they have
the proposals of the administration fol-
tax revision. They intend that il
there Is to be any criticism for i'm
creased taxes, that criticism shall go to
the Republicans.
Republican Responsibility"
It is Republican deficit, the Demo-
Gratis say and the Republicans are not
to be allowed to dodge responsibility
When the Republicans have made theif
tax recommendations, then the Demo-
Gratis plan to consider the whole SUBJ
Ject and bring tax bill into the House.
where revenue legislation must origi<
nate, which in their opinion will meet
the Situation
Senator Robinson declined to com.
ment upon suggestions that "co-opera~
ton" would be the watchword of the
Gay when it comes to legislation bear~
ing on the depression and the deficit al
the coming session of Congress.
He took occasion, however, to issue a
statement that the United States
should not interject itself in the Nam
churian controversy, although it should
be willing to be helpful in peace ma
| neuvers If the parties desire our inn
partial aid.
1.-THE United States" said Senator
Robinson, cannot decide the merits
OF the controversy and enforce terms
of peace. The wise and just policy
for the United States in my opinion
is to indicate a strongly sympathetic
attitude respecting proposals for peace
and willingness to be helpful.
Hands-O Policy Favored.
ANY policy calculated to inject the
United States into this Oriental con-
troversy would be attended by far
reaching and harmful consequences,
and would be Objectionable from every
standpoint Of justice and sound in
terest"
Senator Robinson, referring to the
passage of the Hawley-Smoot tariff act
as the most foolish act" of the last
Congress. said that if the new British
tariff duties affect American trade ad-
versely, the American people can trace
tn tariff duties back to the Republican
tariff law.
On the other hand, Senator Smoot.
chairman of the Senate Finance Com
mittee, declared he did not believe the
British tariffs would affect American
commerce greatly or adversely, except
perhaps in a few commodities. He
pointed out the British have been care
full in drafting their tariffs to omit
those commodities upon which the
Hawley-Smo act placed counter
vailing duties" to be levied in the event
another nation took action adverse to
the United States.
These articles include automobiles,
Continued on Page 2, Column 81