New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-20
PROPOSED CHANGES IN REVENUE LAWS.

BY TELEGRAPH To THE Tribune
WASHINGTON, March 19.-The mcmbers Of the
Ways and Means Committee considering several
propositions relating to the Internal Revenue laws,
and it is probable that two and possibly three, bills
may be reported within the next fortnight. Indeed,
the bill to extend the period during which whskey
may remain in bond has already been reported 10
the House to be printed and recommtted The
effect of this BILL if enacted into law, will prob
ably be diminish for time, ut least, the rev.
enue derived from the tax on whskey. The cause
of this reduction is easily explained aud understood.
As the law now stands. whiskey remain In
bond only three years before the tax is
paid. The allowance for leakage In that period
is seven and half gallons on each barrel OF forty
gallons so that for each full barrel distilled the
Government receives a tax on thlrty-two and half
gallons at tho rate of ninety cents gallon, pro-
vided the whiskey remains three years in bond.
Under the proposed bill the dStlller Is allowed to
leave his whskey In bond as long as he chooses,
aud he need not pay tho tax until he withdraws it.
Je is also to receive the benefit of an allowance for
leakage during a period of eight years, the allow
ance amounting TO thirteen and half gallons on
each barrel so that the distcr who allows his
whiskey to remain IN bond for eight years will be
required to pay tax on only twenty six and half
gallons for each forty gallons manufactured.
The proposed bin is understood to be urged
mainly in the interests of Kentucky Maryland and
Pennsylvania distilers, who the chief producers
OF whiskey which is " cured by age. They argue
that under the present law dstillers unable TO
bear the pecuniary burden of allowing large store
OF whiskey to remain on their hands after the tax
has been paid, and they assert that q conse-
quence of this they often compelled to throw
their whiskey on the market at unf8vOrabe
time. They contrast this requirement OF the H.
teTnal Revenue law with the provisions o tho Gus
toms laws, which allow an importer to leave his
goods in O bonded warehouse an indefinite length
Of time without requiring him to pay duties until
the goods are Withdrawn from bond. And they
further call attention TO the fact that,
while the Government pays all the expenses
of bonded warehouses for the storage of imported
goods the distlers compelled TO provide the
warehouses and pay the wages of storekeepers and
gaugers and other expenses incident to the care and
security Of whiskey in bond. Moreover the dis
tllers complain that under tho present law they
not able TO furnish the people with SO good an
article Of whiskcy as they might if the law were
changed. Age improves whiskey. and the distillers
assert that as a result of the requirement that the
heavy tax shall be paid within three years of the
date Of manufacture there not probably to be
found IN the markets of the United States to-day
10000 gallons of five vear-od whIskey."
Another measure which tho Ways and Means Com
ruittee is considering involves some amendments to
the present laws, the effect of which will lie 10
duce the Internal Revenue receipts from
G17O0O,OO to Sl5 ,O00,0 900 year. 1t proposed
t. abolish the taxes on bank capital and deposits.
end the stamp tax on bank checks. matches pro-
rrietary medicines and perfumcry The revenue
derived from the taxes i'll the last fiscal year os
follows:
Capital and deposits CSationa banks $5,37217S
Capital and deposits (savings banks and
other banks not NationaU 3.76220s
pahk cDecKs 2tZ034ll
Proprietary medicines and perfumery...... 2,2265O3
II is probable that the law respecting the tax on
proprietary medicines will not be amended to
relieve the numerous "bitteTs" from taxation but
that It will be so fixed not TO encourage the
facture of "btters" 70 be sold and used a bevcr
age.
Whom the tax on tobacco was reduced by the last
Congress corresponding chang was made In the
tax on cigars. The committee is now considering
the propriety of recommending that the tax on
cigars be reduced from So 10 So thousand. which
would effect reduction Of the revenue the basis
Of last years receipts. by 81 GG0OO0 year. II is
regarded probable that bill will soon be reported
The extent above indicated
The committee has also been urged to recommend |
ameasuTe to provide system of drawbacks by |
winch alcohol used IN manufactures and the arts. |
snd for scientific purposes, shall be relieved from |
'&xation. To what extent such change IN the law