Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

TO PROVIDE REVENUE FOR WAR PURPOSES.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1918.

UNITED STATES SENATE,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE,
Washington, D. C.

The committee met, pursuant to call, at 10 o'clock a. m. in the committee room, Senate Office Building, Senator F. M. Simmons presiding.

Present: Senators Simmons (chairman), Williams, Smith, Thomas, Gore, Jones, Nugent, Penrose, Lodge, McCumber, Smoot, Townsend, and Dillingham.

The committee proceeded to the consideration of the bill (H. R. 11283) "to provide revenue and for other purposes."

The CHAIRMAN. Gentlemen of the committee, we have a majority here, and the committee is ready to proceed with hearings. It is proper that I should state that, of course, it is understood that the bill has not yet been acted upon by the House, and we have not jurisdiction of the bill. But in order to facilitate its consideration we have decided to have hearings while the House is considering the bill, so that as soon as it comes over and is reported to the Senate and referred to the committee we may proceed with the consideration of the bill.

Senator SMOOт. As the bill may be reported.

The CHAIRMAN. As the bill may be reported. We are simply assuming for the present that the House will pass the bill as it has been reported to it by the Ways and Means Committee.

Senator LODGE. Substantially.

The CHAIRMAN. Substantially; yes. It is also proper that I should state that the committee decided, in ordering these hearings, that we would give at least a week's hearing-not more than 10 days-and in order that the hearings may be concluded within that limited period of time the committee decided to ask the several industries which may wish to make statements to the committee to select some representative of the industry to present their case orally, with the understanding that any briefs that the representatives of the industry may wish to file can be filed and printed along with the oral hearing.

MAIL-ORDER HOUSES.

Senator SMOOT. I will say to the chairman that I asked the gentle man representing the mail-order houses if he would not be here this morning to begin at once, and he said that he desired to leave as quickly as possible, so I told him he would be heard the first thing this morning, so I ask that Mr. Eiswald be heard first.

The CHAIRMAN. You may proceed, Mr. Eiswald.

3

« PreviousContinue »