Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-12-06
HOOVER MESSAGE
! COMMENT VARIED
Statements on Sales Levy
Recall Stubborn Debate
in House Last Year.

President Hoovers message to Con-
greSs evoked wilirl Of conflicting COM
ment, Republicans in general giving it
high n aise and some Democrats assail-
ing 1t with vigor.
The sales tax recommendation eSpe-
cialiy was cited, the varied comments
being reminiscent of the stubborn de-
bate which preceded defeat of such a
measure in the House last year.
Representative Smell. the Republican
leader. seconded the tax proposal, and
agreed heartily on the sentiments for
cutting Federal spending.
Need Is Demonstrated.
THE outstanding recommendation"
he said. lis changes in the fundamental
banking laws of the country. Experience
of the last three years demonstrates it
is needed.
Il am especially interested in the
statement on reduced Government eX-
penditWes. II Congress follows his
recommendations, the people will get
what they want.
Il am in entire accord with his posi-
ton on limited manufacturers sales
tax. We ought TO have passed it last
year. His statement on economic con-
ditions should be studied by every
business man in the country"
Begin Individual Study.
Members of the Senate Economy
Committee, who for several days have
been listening to the petitions of Gov
ernrna1t employees asking for repeal of
the existing economy act, began study
ing Individually the new recommended
tons in the President message.
Senators Byrnes, Democrat, South
Carolina, and Mcclellan, Democrat,
Tennessee, both indicated they were
dissatisfied with the furlough plan. but
favored some sort of percentage pay re-
ouction.
Senator Dickinson, Republican, Iowa,
also member of the Economy Com
mittee, said he sees difficulties in the
way of a further reduction in salaries,
but sees no prospect Of restoring them
to where they were year ago With
these two opposite lines Of thought be-
ing presented to Congress, the Iowa
Senator said the result might be con-
tinuation of the existing status for the
coming fiscal year.
VIII Consider Recommendations.
Senator Bingham, Republican, Con-
necticut, said the commentators IN
the presidential message would be
carefully considered by the committee.
In view Of the testimony OF the last
few DAYS by representatives of various
ORGANIZATIONS. it will no doubt come as
q shock to them, Senator Bingham
added But as members OF the com
mittee have pointed out curing the
hearing, we are faced with an actual
situation and not a theory. hope we
can work the problem out IN way
that will be fair to ali"
Byrnes Makes Comment.
Senator Byrnes made this comment:
II was in favor of direct cut OF
10 per cent on every check PAID out
by the Government for compensation
or other purpose, other than contract
The furlough plan has resulted IN
tremendous expense to the Government.
because of the time Of h1gh-salarleo
employees consumed IN interpreting II;
The controller general has rendered
more than go decisions on the act. II
the President has come to the dlrect
cut policy. it occurs to me that the
furIough should be abolished and
direct cut made Of whatever percentage
can be agreed upon as fair ana rea-
scnable in this emergency.
Senator Mcclellan commented as foi-
lows:
system. 1t is cumbersome, hard 10 IN
derstand. and hard to put IN practice;
But, think there ought to be fiat and
reasonable. cut and so adjusted as TO
bring about. the fi7e-day week. I have
no doubt the matter win be Thoroughly
considered by the Economy Committee.
Urges Higher Exemption.
Senator Hattie w. Caraway, Demo-
crat, Arkansas and the only woman
member of the Senate, urged greater
consideration for low salaried employees
by raising the exemption.
eff there must be another cut, the
exemption ought to be greater than
81, COO" Mrs. Caraway said. 1T Is very
hard for people on small salaries to
get along now" She said she wanted
to study the subject further before say
ing where she thought the exemption
rlnnnild he rlace6