Detroit evening times., 1945-04-03
POLITICAL
PARADE
BY George
RothweN Brown


through the medium OF tax re-
duction this year, appears TO
be definitely in the congress
sional air.
House Republicans are lining
up behind the excess profits tax
reduction bill introduced by
Rep. Dan Reed of New York,
which is described as definitely
party policy bill.
-dees-Het H4ean-that- the
tax relief now being discussed
is being approached in parti-
san mood.
Rep. Reed, in a statement ac-
companying the introduction OF
his bill, made it clear that he
does not regard taxation as a
political question. and of course
it isn't.
Meanwhile Democratic men,
bers of the House ways and
means committee have been
holding a series of secret meet
ings. with Republican members
barred. and il is reported around
the Capitol they are studying
taxation in its relation to ma
tional peacetime recovery.
At the same time 1t Is also
reported the treasury Is work.
ing on program of its own.
In addition the joint commit
tee on internal revenue taxes.
composed of both Democratic
and Republican members OF
Senate and House, has settled
down to an exhaustive study OF
taxation in the postwar
America.
It's tax experts have been
gathering a great mass Of ma
terial from industriaiists,| big
and little business. tax lawyers,
etc. in every part of the
country.
II is the business Of the COM
mittee 10 assimilate and digest
this information, and this is
now under way.
Some Republican members OF
the House, who are endorsing
the Reed bill, the essential fea-
ture of which is proposed re-
duction in the excess profits tax
from 95 10 SO percent, as soon
as Germany has been defeated,
and outright repeal after the
defeat of Japan, believe that at
least this much taxation relief
is definitely in view for this
year-Not- much hope is held
out for income tax reduction.
They expect there also will he
heavy Democratic support for
such program. in the interest
of peacetime conversion, and
some predict there will be a race
between the two parties IN Con-
greSs toward the tax reduction
goal.
The Democrats naturally will
want 10 get out IN front and
take the credit for relief pro-
gram when it becomes practical
Meanwhile. the Presidents
demand for more power TO re-
duce present tariff rates by 80
per cent is running headlong
into congressional concern for
! the reconversion Of industry
from a war TO peace basis.
The proposed extension of the
trade agreements act. and the
grant OF additional authority,
will be attacked from the Re-
publican side of Congress as
blow at reconversion.
Republican policy on the tar
iff, as on Breton Woods and
any agreements that may
emerge from the San Francisco
United Nations conference, will
be made in Congress.
Chairman Herbert Browncll
of the Republican National
| Committee, evaded discussion Of
party tariff policy at his press
conference here last week.
The national chairman obvi-
ouSly is interested now only in
organization, and not in policy,
although how the party can be
organized for a successful con-
gressional campaign in 1916.
without the formulation Of
definite policy on specific issues,
is something difficult TO see.
1t is already apparent that
the tariff will be a vital issue
In next years campaign, and
that the Republicans in Con-
gress will accept the Presidents
challenge in committing the
Democratic party 10 policy of
free trade.
'NliE appropriations commit
tee of the House is under
terrific pressure from the over
grown Roosevelt New Deal
bureaucracy, which is fighting
with every weapon il can COM
mand TO prevent its own liquida-
tion. or the weakening Of its
autocraiic powers through the
cutting down of tho money from
the federal treasury which is its
life's blood.
The design in Washington Is
clear. The New Deal is de-
termined to perpetuate itself by
force, influence or subterfuge.
1t will surrender nothing II
proposes to 60 on after the end