Bush Jets to South for Stray Tax Bill Votes
Vico President Bush addressing a group of Republicans at an Atlanta hotel yesterday during his 12-hour, three-state trip.</br></br>AUSTIN, Tex., July 27 ÛÓ Vice President Bush tried to round up stray votes for the administration tax bill in three southern states today, charging that the Democratic alternative offers only an illusory ÛÏCatch 22" promise of strengthening the economy and lowering inflation and interest rates.</br></br>On a 12-hour jet hop that touched down in Atlanta and Baton Rouge en route here, Bush sought to build public pressure to force wavering Democratic congressmen to back ReaganÛªs three-year, 25-percent cut in the showdown House vote Wednesday. His trip cost the Republican National Committee an estimated $25,000.	Ûª</br></br>He said in Baton Rouge that the administration bill embodies "true tax reform.Û But, with the Republican governors of Louisiana and Texas nodding agreement, he also pointed out that it offers a better deal for the oil producers of these energy-rich states.</br></br>The Bush tour was ordered Friday as part of a last-minute administration drive to corral votes of ÛÏboll weevilÛ conservative southern Democrats, whose support gave Reagan his narrow House victories earlier on budget and spending bills.