Evening star., 1948-01-29
Cox Proposes
Compromised on
Tax-SIash Bill
Doughton Proposal
Might Escape Veto,
Georgian Says
By J. A. OLeory

Inc nrSC move TO get the TWO
major parties together on a tax
cutting compromise came today
from a Democrat, Representative
Cox of Georgia, as the House
began debate on this hot elec-
tion-year issue.
The debate got under way imme-
diately after the House voted to
consider the $500, 100000 Repub-
lican tax-slashing bill under pro-
cedure barring any changes. The
rule was adopted by voice vote.
Mr.. Cox intimated that President
Truman, who vetoed two Republican
bills last year, might sign a meas
ure patterned. on the suggestions of
Representative Doughton, Democrat,
of North Carolina. Mr.. Cox said
the Presidents own proposal for a
s40-a-person tax cut hasn't chance
Doughton Plan Provisions.
The Doughton plan, like the Re-
publican bill sponsored by Chair
man Knutson of the Ways and
Means Committee, would raise per-
sonal exemptions from $500 to 5000
and permit married couples in all
States to split their income for tax
purposes.
However, it would cut in half the
percentage rate reductions which
range in the Knutson bill from 80
per cent in the low brackets to 10
per cent at the top. In this way it
would reduce the tax cut from more
than $500, 600, 900 to not more than
$4,000, 100000.
There were no immediate signs,
however, that the Republicans, with
their present House majority, would
60 for this suggestion. They may
take lower rates before the fight is
over to attract enough Democratic
votes to override another Truman
veto, but the compromise is more
likely to come when the bill reaches
the Senate.
The House will spend all of today
and tomorrow in oratory and vote
Monday.
KnutsOn Asks Democratic Aid.
Other developments today were:
Representative Knutson appealed
to Democrats to support his bill,
urging them not to be "mislead''
again, as they were last year, in
delaying tax relief.
Senator Millikin, Republican, OF
Colorado, who will handle the tax
bill in the Senate, predicted a
measure removing several million
bracket wage earners entirely from
the tax rolls, will be passed in both
Houses at this session. In a speech
prepared for delivery in Philadel-
phia, the Senator avoided discussion
OF exact rates, but declared, taxes
are now so high and the evils of thin
are so manifest that the situation
calls for truly massive reductions. >
While the procedure voted by
the House allows no amendments,
Democrats will get on chance to
offer a complete substitute for Mr..
Knutson's bill in the form of q
motion to recommit.
With a party lineup of 245
Republicans to 1875 Democrats in
the House, and 81 Republicans to
As Democrats in the Senate, the
Republican leaders probably could
push through the Knutson bill un-
changed, since majority is
sufficient for initial passage.
To override veto, however,
would take a tWo-thirds majority.
The leadership may stand by the
Knutson total in the House and
let the Senate scale it down to a
level that would attract enough
Democrats to override a veto.
Martin Is Confident.
Speaker Martin conceded the
measure may be modified before it
goes to the White House, but
predicted another veto would be
overridden.
The fact that this is election year
gives the Republicans a brighter
prospect of victory in their tax fight
with Mr.. Truman. The entire mem-
bership of the House, and one-third
(See TAXES. Page A-5.)