COMMITTEE ' HEARING TOQGOT. AT 7:30 A C3E COOK? TOPSE
frrr
WEATHER
Pair Monday, somewhat colder
la central and east portions;
Teesdey (ale.
Best Advertising
Medium in
Iforth Carolina
VOL. QX. NO. 55.
RALEIGH, N. C, MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 24, 1919.
PRICE: FIVE CENTS
ft
WILSON SPENDS NIGHT
ait nitin iit nnnmniT n m v
uiunir iivdumuw mi
President And Party To Come
. Ashore Some Time
Before Noon .
CEREMONIES TO BE BRIEF:
SPEECH BY PRESIDENT
..Whole Party Will Leave Tor
Washington bj Special Train
At ' 4:30 This Afternoon;
President Still Plans To Re
turn To " Prance, Sailing
About March 5
'jfdhss5rri
all thfl Presidential party rcrrfaining
hoard. Tomorrow sune time beore
ncoa tho Presidenfsd those accom
panying him from the Parii peace con
ference, will come sshors for brief
ceremonies of welcome and'-s short"
ajieech by the President in Mechanics
Hall. The whole party will leave for
Washington byspeeial- aai-at 4:30 In
The" iftcraoOiirTm'Tviny "Tnpsday-awn-
. . fni - T t.tM4 .111 ..Una (a VA.
mg. me i rirsiucu am
. 4.... Ph.mb. ar i Conrviy Wnshinir-
ton, sailing from Hoboken about March
5th unices something unforeseen oc
curs. The condition of the French
Premier, Mr. Clcmenceau, may prove to
be a laro factor. The possibility of
change in Ihfr French government
should the Premier not respond to
'treatment for his wound, and tCe fur
ther possibility of a delay in the peace
eonfereneo or even a change, in the dole-
Cation" of France, complicates the aitua-
: tion. ;
1 Altfiough the President held several
conferences during the, return voyage
f ha did not rive any expressions on the
erk of vruspeeta of the peace confer-
ence further than to indicate ne reeis
; a ecrtain justification of his position
in insisting that the making of ( peace
and th creation of a league of nations
are inseparable propositions, not to be
disassociated.
Has Confidence in nan.
Mr. Wilson has told friends and ad
visors that with the draft of the league
constitution on the table before the
conference ho considers the first great
atep an accomplished fact and he is
not disturbed by the possibility that it
undoubtedly will be worked over,
changed in many respects, and probably
in the end be quite a different docu
ment. Despite nil this the President
i known to feel that in the end the
underlying principle he has proposed
rill be accepted in the conference. The
ratification of the document 'in other
countries, and in the United States the
President considers as another step to
be dealt with the league of nations
plan is perfected.
While he has been following keenly
i-v. .H adverse criticism of
the plan in Congress, the President told
Reprcscntatis Helvering, Norton and
White, who made the return trip with
' him, that he was sure he could convince
Congress leaders that there were no
fundamental objections.
" After an explanation of tho plan at
' some length to tho three Congressmen,
they expressed the opinion that the
il min much support for
his plan by close conferences with a few
leaders who in turn could give an inti
mate view of the President's explanation
to members generally.
This is probably one of the methods
which will be adopted by the President
when he gets back to Washington, be
sides undoubtedlynmklng some sort of
address to a joint session ant confer
enees with the members of the foreign
affairs committee of each house,
' Depends Upon Conditions,
The question of an extra session of
Congress, the President feels, depends
shnllv nnon in what condition the
nresent Congress lenves'pu'blie business
If the President's hope is realised that
the nrincipal business of the pence con
ference will be finished by mid-summer
a dthat ha is able to return to the
United States some time in Juue or
July, the probabilities are that at least
in extra session of the Senate or pos
siblv the whole new Congress might be
railed in the early fall to get a start
on reconstruction legislation and take
up the ratification of the peace treaty,
The President Jiad luncheon today
with mbassador Frances, discussing the
Russian situation at length and hearing
the diplomat s recommendations aa to
the course tne unneu otaijs snouiu pur
, sue In Russia.
. Also witu Jura at . laucheoa was
Frauklin D. Roosevelt, Assistant Sec re
tary f th Navy, who gave Mr. Wilson
many new dejails of the navy's activi
ties in Europe, snowing now the United
States spent more than 1.10,000,000 lay
Ihg the North Ben mine barrage. The
United Plates aciuaiiy nau more man
(00 ships based in Europe and more
' , than 200 seaplanes hunting submarines.
K4ar-Tr( JUaghw,
President Wilson hsda much rougher
trip coming bom than he did going
Tcr. Borne oi tne days nan the party
aas confined to cabins but the Presi
dent proved himself an excellent sailor
and surrendered only once,, when the
'waves and spray were dashing over the
bridge and got a wetting, while watch
(Continued oa Pagt Two.)
PRESIDENT S SHIP
NEAR GROUNDING
Vessel Loses Bearings
Heavy Fog Off Massa
chusetts Coast
In
On Board the U. George Wash
ington, Feb. 23. The President's ship
and its destroyer escort, the Harding,
and ran off the MasLfAsetts.eoast this
tfftrrM6n-Whttrif1rt
thousand yards of grounding off the
beach at Thatcher's Island, Cape Ann.
The two vessels were proceeding on
dead reckoning, about 3 o'clockjrith . th
Harding as a guard ship ahead. Sud
denly ne"ifa filing's lookout discovered
land nnd the destroyer gave five quick
blasts on her (whistle nad made)
quick turn across" the' ' Washington'!
bow;The''wihd wW'landward"atia th
sound was carried away ,'rom the George
Washington instead f t toward her. The
Washington's.-deck officer, however, saw
the five jets of steam from the Hard
ing.' whistle nail giving three abort
blasts of the big liners whistle signalled
the engino room for full speed nstern.
The big ship trembled and quivered
with tho throbbing of , the mighty
engines as they churned the water, and
that was the first intimation any of the
passengers and most of the crew had
of what was going on.
President Wilson noticed the motion
at once and with Admiral Grayson went
on deck. He was quite nneoncerned,
however, and his attitude was more one
of curiosity and interest. Troops and
passengers piled on decks at the same
time And saw the rollers on the snndy
beach, and the sanMncar Hague. f -A
motion picture show going on in tht
main dining salon, however, continued
tc hold the attention of many of the
passengers.
Although going full speed the Wash
ington stnppod quickly and easily and
began backing away, while) the destroy
ers turned to wallowing about the big
liner. The lead was not going quickly
and deep water immediately was reach
ed. Passengers, erew-eai troops did
not seem to regard the incident as a
possibility of danger, many of them
thinking it rather a good joke playea
by the fog on the navigators. -After
backing a short distance Captain Mc-
Cauley dropped anchor to make obser-
vat ions and get bearings, w hile the
destroyers formed a semi-circle about
tho President's I'iip. The wind mhip
pod up a bit and snow flurries swept
down on the port ouarter. The de
stroyer Paulding came close alongside
and the Heliographs were not going.
Captnin McCaulev lashed a helliograph
message to the Paulding ; to proceed
cautionusly and attempt to, identify the
signal of fog horns.
Through the dissolving mist the two
lighthouses of the Cape Ann station
became visible and the suspense was
over. Tho Washington and her con
voy had been headed toward shore just
nbove Kastern Point, Gloucester, and
still further north from Marble Head.
The weather continued to clear every
moment and before an hour had quite
passed, it was possible to see from four
to six miles. The Washington then
backed out snd turning south, headed
for Boston Light, where a pilot was
waiting at the buoys at the mouth of
tho channel. , ,
GEN. BENNET HrYOUNG
DIES AT LOUISVILLE
He Won Considerable fame
During Civil War As a
Cavalry Leader
Louisville. Ky.. Feb. 23. General
Bennett H. Touug, commander in chief
of the United Confederate Veterans
from 1913 to 1016, died at his home
here this afternoon following a short
illness. Ho returned to Louisville Hat
urday night in a dying condition from
Florida where he went seversl weeks
ago to recuperate.
General Young served with Morgan,
J. E. B. Stuart atr&oMosby during the
Civil war and won considerable fame
as a cavalry leader." In 1914 he wrote
"Confederate Wizards of the Saddle,"
describing the operations of the Con
federate mounted lore aurmg ine
war.
NAVAL DIRIGIBLE SMASHES
INTO A TREE AT MIAMI. FLA.
(Br th Associated Trmt.)
Miami, Fla., Feb, 23. The naval diri
gible A-236, returning to Key west from
a flight to Tampa and Jacksonville,
struck a tree of Miami early today and
is believed to be a complete loss. En
sign D. P. Campbell, pilot, and Chief
Quartermaster J. II. Collier, the only
persons aboard, were rescued nnharmrd
The dirigible had been forced to at
tempt a landing Decease of engine
trouble which developed within twelve
...r( pr riv.n hey west.' The nif'
ship, however, had been; ia the air 87
u, ....ore i uc ace.ueui nnu was iry
lug for a new record for continuous
flight. The airship left Key West fiat
urday afternoon going to Jacksonville
via Tampa and was heading down the
east coast on its leturn.
PEACE COUNCIL IS
II
LI
Plan To Have Preliminary
Peace Treaty Reatjy Upon
- Wilson's Return
THIS ACTION RELATES
ONLY TO GERMANY
Conclusion of This Preliminary
.' Peace Treaty Regarded As
of Chief Importance; Balfour
And House Call on Clemen-
ceau wnere flans were
Press.) Results of far-reaching -character
wero obtained at the meeting of
the council of the great powers today
when resolutions were adopted requiring
such' aspee7Ifng" up 'of all Important
braaclieir "of the " worY" of" Hie" Pcacs
Conference as to permit the formula
tion of a preliminary peace treaty by
the time President Wilson returns to
Paris in the middle'bl March." To ac
eoinplish ' this" all commissions dealing
with the big questions of reparations,
boundaries and economic and financial
issues must report to the supreme coun
cil within the next two weeks or by
March 8 at the latest. These reports,
in turn, will form a basis for tho
drafting of the treaty. "
An extensive program has been care
fully matured within the past few days
and it was brought to a culmination
this afternoon when A. J. Balfonr, Brit
ish foreign secretary, and Cot. E. M.
House, of the American celrgation,
called en Premier Clcraeneeaul in his
sick room shortly before the council
convened. Each found the wounded
statesman dressed and sitting np and
keenly alert concerning the work of
tho conference and folly agreed, an the
pisa for rapid acceleration of .work oa
all swfejert.- - -
Thit brought together the British.
American and. French viewpoints for a
rapid coarse of action assuring the
earliest possible peace& Shortly after
ward the supreme council met and rati
fled the program. The official state
ment issued after the meeting an
non need :
The meeting decided on proper steps
to je doue in order ia order to acceler
ate as much a. possible -the labors -of
the conference.
Back of the formal announcement is
the speeding up of the plan, which now
goes into effect, for an early drafting
of the peace treaty. The main feature
is to embody all subjects, both non-
military and military in the preliminary
peace soon to be framed and to have
this broad general document take the
place of a separate military treaty for
disarmament which bad been prepared
by the Supreme War Council under the
direction of Marshal Fooh who was to
present it within the next few days.
But instead of this ' limited action
on military questions today's decision
broadens the action so as to Include
all important subjects within the scope
of the preliminary peace treaty, thus
making it embrace economical, financial
and all other essential subjects, includ
ing reparations, in addition -to disarma
ment and other military and naval
features. It will be this broad general
plan which will he drafted by the time
the President returns and which will
soon thereafter go before the pcaee
conference.
The foregoing action relates only to
Germany a the conclusion of this pre
liminary peace .treaty is regarded as of
chief importance. But similar action
may proceed at 1he same time con
cerning Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey,
although it is not certain that action
on these" countries Can be effected with
ir the same period.
Although the proposed document Is
designated as a preliminary peace
treiyT itia expected Utmbody virtu
ally all main questions and to corre
spond to the treaty of Versailles which
closed the Franco-Prussian war, al
though a supplementary . treaty was
s;gned later at Frankfort. ,
PRESIDENT WILSON HAS
A FOl'RTH GRANDCHILD
Soa Bora U Mrs. Francis B. Sayrm, at
Philadelphia.
(By Um AhoommI fim.)
Philadelphia, Pa.,' Fth. p.-X son
was bora to Mrs. Francis B. Kayre,
daughter of President Wilson, at the
Jefferson Hospital here early today.
Mother and child are doing we'll. This
is the President's, fourth grandchild.
The first, Francis B. Kayre, was born in
The second, Eleanor Axson Wilson
the White House on January 17, 1013.
Kayre, was bora at Jefferson Hospital
March 26, J916. Another grandchild is
Ellen Wilson McAdoo. 1
' The Prewident, f course, has been no
tified, and it is possible he may stop
at, Philadelphia on his way fro m Boston
to Washington to see his daughter and
her second son. ,
ARMY REFRIGERATOR SHIP
SINK AT PIER IN HOBOKEN
(Br lh Anocwtod Fmm.I
Xew Tork, Feb. 3, The army refrig
erator ship Biisola wafstmk at her' pier
in Hoboken tonight to save her from
flames raging in her holds. Two mem
bers of the crew, a a officer and a boat
swain's mate, who were helping fight
the fire, are missing and are believed to
have perished. The, vessel was loaded
with beef and was about to sail for
Brest. - - -:
TO SPEED UP WORK
mm
F
NEV GERMANY IS
IN
National Law Supercedes The
State Laws of Various
- German States
EXECUTIVE POWER '
LIES WITH PEOPLE
States To Be Bepresented In
Government By a National
Council; Pull freedom In
Religion, Art And Science
Is Provided; Labor Is Espe-
the German National Assembly, has
been holding open meetings several
committees have found time to discuss
the draft of a new German Constitution
as "prcpared'by "Huge t'euess, a member
or-th"clisrns
passed on second reading. The origl-
nal few paragraphs have been cut up
and expanded into 109 paragraphs which
-eov.vry point carefully.
- -Thtr iww-dratr-const'"Of veTa'"tH'--visions.
The first division, entitled,
tha nation and its component states,"
provides that the national territory shall
consist of the former German states as
well as other states that may, after a
plebiscite, desire to be Incorporated with
Germnny. The flag of the new republic
will be black, red and gold.
The second article of the first division
provides that the executive power lies
with the people.
The third article says the generally
accepted rules of international law shall
be a basic part of the German law.
Succeeding articles provide for the
defense of the nation and Cover colonial
questions, customs duties and publie
transportation. ' ,
It is provided tho nation shall hav
the Tight to tnsvt laws governing eitl-
of citizens, crimes and penalties, Judi
cial matters, the. right of onion, the
relations betwoen workmen aad em
ployers, the insurance of workmen, the
promotion of labor and trade .weights
and measures, industry, mines, insur
ance, ocean traffe, freedom of the press,
freedom of organization and meeting
nnd the. rights nnd cere of war veterans
and their relatives. The nation also
shall have 'the right to enact laws con
cerning tho' regulation, production and
distribution of economic products for
the general good and for protection and
education of children and youths.
The'nntlnnal law, it is provided, shall
supersede the state Uws of tho various
German states who are empowered to
combine wholly or in part fo the pur
pose of creating a more powerful mem
bership in the nation. These states will
be represented in the government by
a "National Council." Eaoh member of
the council can introduce bills but'-a
bill to be introduced to the assembly
must have the assent of the council
which however, possesses little veto
power on the lines of the British House
of Lord.
Tho second division contains eleven
articles regarding tho basic rights of
dom of belief, religion, art nnd science,
dom of belief, religion, are and science.
I.abor, ns the greatest national wealth
is especially protected. Ferson free
dom of dwelling and property are guar
anteed, as is secrecy of the postal
service.
Tho third division contains nineteen
articles and provides that details shall
be determined by the national govern
ment regarding tho regulation of elec
tions. The .government will meet each
year on the first Monday of December
at the capital of the government. The
president, it is provided con call the
assembly earlier and must do so if at
least one-third of the members demand
it be called. A court to control the
voting would consist of three members
of " the assembly and two members of
the national council. The constitution
may bo changed by a two-thirds vote
of the full membership of tho assembly.
The election of a president is pTor
vided for in a fourth division. He
must be at least thirty-five years old
and a German citizen for ten years
and will serve a seven year term. He
may be recalled through a popular vote.
The president cannot be a member of
the assembly. It is provided the as
scmblyi can demand the presence before
it of the chancellor and the cabinet.
The fifth and sixth divis:ons to eh on
11 nance, trade and transportation and a
common postal systfn for " the entire
nation. The seventh division covers de
tails of courts and other judicial or
ganizations including a stt.te court or
the entire nation. '"' '
BAVARIAN DELEGATION
.LEAVES WEIMAR FOR MUNICH
May Postpone Farther Consideration of
' New Constitution.
Weimar, Saturday,. Feb. 22. (By The
Associated Press.) The entire Bavarian
delegation to the National Assembly left
for Munich this morning upon receiving
reports that Herr AuCr, Minister of the
Interior, had died from his wounds re.
ceived ia the shooting in the Landtdg
and that a state of chaos existed in
Bavaria.
Their absence may postpone atill fur
ther, committee consideration and de
bate on the new constitution which was
scheduled for next Tuesday, as it is con
sidered more important to restore order
in Bavaria than to debate the proposed
constitution oa a date arbitrarily set,
CONSTITUTION 0
ASS
SHAPE
Represents New RcgubWj fj H1GHVAY BILL
: ABOUICOff LEIEO
I 1
i it I ' .
3 W J
1 A '
U
Charles Pergkr
Commletnet-frm--Tho8lovaHaV
Who Speaks ia Winaton-Salem Today.
MOO I!'
ITS FIRAL WEEK
Leaders Have Abandoned Hope
of Avoiding an Extra
Session
APPROPRIATION BILLS
h -t- HOPELESSLY TIED Ut
i , .
President To Confer With Com
mittee on Foreign Rela
, tions Tuesday
(By th Anaoriatcd PrH.)
Waahiuglou, Feb. The final week
of the sixty-fifth Congroas will be ush
rd i tomtiriHiw with- the bueieut
seven days in all congressional history
in prospect
Among the outstanding features of
the final week will be President Wil
son's eonfereneo at the White House
Wednesday with tho Fureign Relations
Committee on thu leagu of nations,
prospective daily discussion of the
league proposal in the Hinato selection
by the House Republicans at a eonfer
eneo Thursday of ft candidate for the
Speakership of the next House and the
final rush of appropriation bills and
other urgent legislation, l'ecision re
garding an extra session, of the sixty-
sixth Congress also may le reached dur
ing the week. With sine die, bdjourn
ment at noon on Tuesday, March 4,
and with nn h;;i.slatinn remaining
on tho calendar than in the history of
many Congresses, - leaders ..of both
Houses have abandoned hope of avoid
ing an extra ression. Tho only ques
tion, it was-said by some members to
day, is the time when it will be called
by llm President.
President Wilson will bo advised soon
after his return regarding the extra ss
sion. Tho nature of tho advice, ac
cording to llcmocratic leaders, princi
pally depends upon disposal of the
pending--Uuj!so bill to authorize $7,000,-
000,000 of Shltft term treasury notes in
liou of Liberty lfonds for the April
loan cnmpnigo. If tho measure is pass
ed the leaden plan to advise the Presi
dent to call the extra session about
May 15. If it fails, it was said a
quest for a call of Congress, not later
tha n ApriLl would lie substituted. The
bill will be taken up in the House on
Tuesday.
Hope of passing all of the appropria
Hon bills apparently has been alum
doncd by both Heiiuto and Houso Jrad
ers. Only two of the sixhcn regular
mouey bills have been enacted. A doz
en money measures arc awaiting action
in the Senate, and Sennto lenders de
clare several of them are certain of
failure.
SenafC discussion of the league of
nations is pneof tho principal obsto
clcs in dispoml of legislction. IV
fenso of tho league on behiilf of the
administration Vill be opened tomor
row by Senator. Ixvvis, of Illinois. Daily
snd protracted debute on' the. league
thereafter . is in prospect. Senator
Owen, Democrat, of Oklahoma, plans
to discuss the league on Wednesday,
Minority Leader Lidge on Kndsy, and
Senator Knox, of Pennsylvania, Repub
lican, former (Secretary of State, 4on
Saturday.
The Speaker of the .next House is
to be chopen next Thursday night at
the conference of Republicans, includ
ing members-elect. Friends of Repre
sentntive Gillett, 'of Massachusetts, arc
Confident of, his selection, although
supporters of Representative Mann,' of
Illinois, have not yet conceded defeat,
Congressional loaders today studied
the legislative situation to determine
which bills could bo passed and which
must go over for tho extra session.
Among bills said to be virtually as
sured of enactment were' 1 hose appro
priating one billion dollars to maiiM
tain the government wheat price guar
CONGRESS IN RUSH
fCeaUaned ea, Pace Twe)
Will Impose One-Fourth Cost
of Construction-onCotm
ties of State
FURTHER INCREASE
IN AUTOMOBILE TAX
.
Republicans Will Submit Pro
gram of "Election Reform"
Legislation This Week
Work on a new State highway bill
is practically finished f nd it is now in
-1 . . 1.1. 1 1 ! 1 . T T
imps iu do inirouuceu in ine uooeei
of fieprescntatives today or tomorrVw, I
U - '"".L.iItii w'idmtiTOBwr ws4 frr
is expected to be ready for discussion
on the floor of the House by the middle
of this week.
Boad legislation still holds the center
oMhosteg, Thr-Stary- masttre--faila
tj meet the situation, many of the
legislators think, and hence the effort
to get something else.
Two Important Changes.
mobiles .to U, $15 and 120 (nstend of
$7JS0, $10 and $15, aj provided for in
the Stacy bill ia one of the important
changes mads in the new hill while the
other is the placing of one-fourth the
cost on tho counties, in accordance
with the idea of Governor Biekett,
leaving the other fourth to the State.
The new hill will leave the composition
of the Highway Commission, ss the
Stacy bill has it.
Other Important Bills. .
While the educational program has
practically been decided upofi, the plan
for a Stato highway system. is still in
tho process of being formed. The
taxation program ia more fully ad
vanced, but most of it still remains to
he discussed la the House and the
ft natiw..Ta Hfiaae has passed the pro
posen uougnton income tax amendment
to the constitution and it is now on
Jie Senate calendar with favorable re
port from the Finance and the Consti
tutional Amendment Committees.
The joint Finance Committn is due
to report the machinery net thin week
which will contain the program for re
valuing property, which is expected to
make un extra session of the General
Assembly necessary next year. The .com-
atiUea will adupt many of tlio principles
contained m tho Humphrey revaluation
bill, but is not inclined to appropriate
$:t75,0OO for tho job nor does it look
with favor On creating a new romfliis-
sion to have chargo of the revaluation.
It would rather increase the powers of
the Mate Tax Commission and leave
most of the cost to the counties.
How Program Stands.
It is recognized that there must be
a strong central body to direct the
revaluation program, btt it is believed
tl .'it this can be attained by giving the
present commission more authority
Wiht the income tax amendment oh the
way fir adoption and the progrnm of
revaluation practically formulated, it is
felt that the tai question is in u fair
way of being elearefl out of tho way
without great difficulty.
It has been recognized that the three
i (instructional measures that this Gou
oral Assembly pass upon are those deal
ing with taxation, with roads and with
schools. While the Bryant school bill
which has passed 'he House, does not
meet the wishes of many jeopIe, it is
felt to be the fairest that can W
worked out.
Wonld Re County System.
The new road bill to lie introduced
in the House is intended as a substi
tute for the Stacy bill, which was
passed by The Sennte, but will be in
troduced as n new measure in order t
expedite parliamentary procedure. If
adopted by the House, it would then go
i the Senate in regular course. The
new bill is not favored by many legis-
Tn f o fiTtiecari seTf "destroys" "Hi e T(Tea-ir o
State system. It will he essentially a
county system, it is held, if a fourth
of the cost is fixed upon the counties.
The authors propose to leave the pro
vision affecting counties as flexible as
possible as to the method of raising
the tax. It is contemplated that In the
thickly settled counties that most of
the local nssesscd cost will be collect
ed from the abutting, property owners
while In tho counties less thickly set
tled, it would 'proltfihly be collected
through special tax levy or through the
issuing of bonds.
To Avoid Bond Issues,
" One of the avowed objects of the new
bill is to avoid a State bond issue, but
supporters of the Stacv bill hold that It
simply shifts the liarden, as it will lie
necessary for the counties to issue
bonds npd.st a disadvantage because
they cannot borrow money as cheaply
as the State. Supporters of the new
road measure think it would be neces
sary to borrow money to get the pro
ject started, but they would do "this on
short time notes that would riot extend
over two years.
Even for the Stole to raise one-fourth
of the revenue necessary to match the
federal fund and to provide for main
tenancy, would' make it necessary to
have a higher automobile tax than the
Stacy bill provides for, and the increase
has been mado that it is believed will
meet the needs. ' '','
No Tsi On Gasoline.
'The new road bill will not impose a
tax on gasoline or on lumber wagons.
(Contlaaed oa Pare Two.)
TAKING KINKS OUT
OF REVENUE BILL
WAS HEAVY TASK
Sen. Simmons Reviews Magni
tuda in Reaching Agreement
By Senate And House
AWARDS APPROVED FOR
COMMANDEERED LAND
These Aggregate $271,1 49 for
' 284,000 Square Peet of
Land Taken for Xxtensibf of
Washington Navy Yard; Ad -
mjral Scales Will Make Nd
New' mmi Ohmr llaraaa,
44 Datrkt National Bank Btdgv
Br t. St. WINTERS.
(By 8kM Uued Win.)
Washington, Feb. 23. "The Be Bate"
added" over fiOOamfBiimelitt'td IneTrev. '
aue bill as it passed the House of
Representatives,'' declared Senator 8im.
mons of North Carolina, chairman of tha
ment reviewing the magnitude of the
job involved in framing the National, -
revenue legislation. , . "Of those amend- -ments,
the Senate' conferees receded
from only 6t. The House receded from
its disagreement to 417 on the Senate
amendments without change and from
its disagreement to 117 of the Senate
amendments with amendments.
"In order to bring the two nouses
together upon these 61)2 amendments, it
is observed that a vast amount of work
was required. That the conferees were
nble to accomplish this result la a little
over two weeks shojted that their work
was constant and diligent ; but even with
the greatest diligence,, it would nave
been impossible to accomplish this re
suit-within so'snori a time kadT not "
every member of the conference been
alive to the faet tnat the eiig?neja ,
of the .situation required -the utmost
speed.
"I sax advised by the Commissioner
of Internal Revenue and the Secretary
of the Treasury that Government obli
gation amounting to more than 800,. '
000,000 will mature and will have to be
paid by the 15th of March west, and -that
the money which it is txpoctcd to
realize from the first installment under
this bill has been pledged for the pay
ment of those maturing obligations.
"Karly in the year 101 the Secre
tary of the Treasury recommended to
Congress the enactmrnt of a nesr reti
nue, law, framed to raise $H,0oO,O00,000
by taxation, to help meet the expendi
tures of the fiscal year 1918, estimated
a' that time at $'.'4,0(i010fi0,000. In re
uponst" to this re;iest hc Waya and
Means committee of the House prepared, ,
nnd the Ih.uw passed the hill providing
fur an $S,OnO,noo,0(!K) tax levy. Wfcen the .,;
arniistiee came on November 11, 1918,
th' bill w.is still I fore the Finance
Committee of the Senate, to which it
had twen referred.
No Pnrpose to Reduce Levy.
"There was no purpose upon the part
of that comnittee up to that time to
reduce the amount of the levy below the
House estimate of $,HM1,00. With- .
in a few days, however, after the sign
ing of the armistice the Secretary of "
tha Treasury, in a communication to
myself as chairman of the Finance Com
mittee, advised that the estimated ex
penditures would, because of the prac
tical termination of the war, be reduced ,
to $!8,0X,iVi, and at the same time .
he recommended a reduction of the
taxes to be imposed for the fiscal year
.HUS-'IS from s,i'O'i,iNI,0ii0 to tfl.OOO,.
noO.iXMi, and for the fiscal year 1920 from
$ii,000,iKi,iso to $4nsiii,ooo. Sena
tors will recall that the President, la
his message to. Congress, delivered a
short time after the armistire, joined the
Secretary of tne Treasury in these re
rnrnmenrtatimrs. -
"The Senate did not change the indi-
vidunl normal income tax rate for the
taxable year l!IS. It did, however, .
change the surtax rates reducing the
rates es to small and moderate incomes
and increasing them somewhat as to
larger incomes, especially those in ex
cess of tiO.Cus). The result of hee
changes is a redneflon . in estimated
revenue receipts from this source ef
about $.V)si,issi. The House conferees
agreed to these changes. The Senate
reduced the individual normal income
tax rate for the taxable year l!U9 and ,
subsequent years from six and twelve per
cent to fojir and eight er cent, and "
the House agreed to these changes.
Case Cotton Mannfsctarers.
Let me illustrate with the ease of the
cotton manufacturer-. They have laid
i- great stocks of raw cotton, the larger
part of vhieh was purchased at 30 cents
or more than y cents a pound. The in
ventories for the year 1U18 would have
to he based upon those values. That
cotton is tinlav worth probably not much
over two-thirds of the amount for which
it was, purchased. If they are required
to pay their taxes without any rebate -upon
the bssis of Che cost of this raw .
material still in hand, it is easy to see
thst they would have to pay tax upon
a value charged against them, bat which -v -will
not, fes a matter of fact, ever be
realized.
"Coming tojhe excess profits nnd war
profits tnx. I may say in general that
the House accepted the rates adopted, ,
by the Senate srith but few modifica
tions. TDe House conferees accepted
(CoaUaned Psge Teat V .
l