The House of Representatives' rejection of the $5,732,000,000 tax-increase bill Tuesday, which came as a surprise to Democrats and Republicans alike, yesterday aroused varied criticisms among University professors.
"I didn't like the bill much myself," said Seymour E. Harris '20, Professor of Economics. "They should have raised about twice as much mostly."
Associate professor of History Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. '38 admitted that "it wasn't a very good bill," and added that he felt "sympathy with the liberals who voted against it." The increase was voted down 203 to 157 by an unexpected coalition of 139 Republicans and 64 Democrats.
"It would be very unfortunate if the bill didn't get back for another vote," commented Dan T. Smith, professor of Finance. "Despite the law's weakness, it should have been passed. I hope there is enough sense of responsibility in Congress to have it revived in one form or another," he concluded.
Arthur Smithies, professor of Economics, thought the surprise vote was "very interesting," although he said it would be a great misfortune if the bill were allowed to die without another vote. At that time he hoped "the high-tax people would vote for it" and the bill would pass.
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