Evening star., 1944-02-25
Senate Votes, 72-14,
To Override Veto on
I Wo-B Billion Tax Bill
Pepper Alone Roises
Voice in Defense
Of President
fTert of Senator Barkleys Letter
on Page Az.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY.

The Senate today made the
50 ,315 ,000,0 new tax bill law
by overriding President Roose-
velt's veto, II to IA, for more
than the necessary two-thirds
majority.
Voting to override were 80 Demo-
Gratis, 80 Republicans and ! Pro-
gressive, while the IA voting to sus-
tain the President were l3 Demo-
Gratis and l Republican-Senator
LANCER Of North Dakota.
The Senate's vote marked another
chapter in a congressional revolt
against the White House that
reached its climax when Senate Ma
jority Leader Barley resigned his
party post only to be unanimously
reelected yesterday.
On the eve of today's vote, Sena-
tor Barkley sent the President
letter, conciliatory in tone, but
stressing the importance of har-
mony and cooperation between all
branches of the Government in this
Ci d VI WAL.
The Senate roll call today, before
the largest gallery of spectators in
recent years, was an anti-climax in
that 1t was expected. The question
uppermost in congressional minds
was whether the events of the
last few days would lead to better
relations between the White House
and the Capitol in the months to
come.
Question Waits Developments.
That question can be answered
only by developments on the next
major issue that arises, which may
be the soldier vote bill, still in con-
ference
Senator Pepper, Democrat, of
Florida, a stanch New Dealer, was
the only legislator to raise his voioo
in protest before the roll was called.
Like bleachers crowd at a foot
ball game, the spectators jostled
for seats in the gallery and stood
two deep against the wall long be-
fore Vice President Wallace called
the session to order. Gay chatter
ing in the galleries stopped as the
reading clerk began droning through
the Presidents veto message which,
although every Senator present
knew its contents, was the body's
first official word on the Executive
veto.
Senator Barkley-key figure in
the drama that marked the veto
arrived II minutes late The gallery
visitors-a large section of them
women-craned forward eagerly to
watch him stroll down the aisle and
take his seat.
Standing against the Senate wall
with those non-Senators who have
floor privileges was the huge figure
OF Representative Doughton, Demo-
crat, of North Carolina, chairman
of the Ways and Means Committee
which fathered the original tax bill.
Pepper Sees Deeper Issue.
In his speech, Senator Pepper
charged that the issue before tho
Senate went much deeper than
the mere passage or rejection of
tax bill and involved the future Of
the Democratic party
IF the tax bill was the only issue
here today would vote to override"
Senator Pepper declared, adding,
however, that he saw in the decision
an effect on "the permanent course
and character of our party. I see
the specter that confronted the Ma
ton 20 years ago, country so
| divided over details that If we win
the war we may lose the peace"
Swift Vote Demanded.
When the Floridan arose he was
delayed momentarily by shouts of,
Vote, Vote" from several parts of
the chamber After a moment. how
ever, the calling for a vote subsided.
and Senator Pepper began by say
ing he felt sure that the Senate
rule giving "the humblest member
the right to express his opinion on
(See TAXES pace A-o0