National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-04-01
THE TAX ON MATCHES.
what Is said or It's RetcntIon-The sn,a
Manufacturers.

Manufacturers.
To the Editor THE REPuBLtCAN;
In recent issue of the Evening star, in an article
in reference to the internal revenue tax, II is
stated
The matches tax is one that many Insist should
be abolished, but the question arises, would its
adjustment benefit the consumer by reducing the
retail price of matches? II Is quite likely that II
would not, and that the revenue from that source.
which now goes Into the Treasury, would then go
entirely into the pockets of the match manuiac-
turers.
tits hardly probable that the revenue from that
source, which now goes into the Treasury, would
then go entirely into the pockets of the match
manufacturers" in case of the abolition of the tax
on matches. Certainly the match manufacturers
do not think SO. If they did the Consolidated
Match Manufacturers of the United States would
hardly have sent prominent member of the es-
Establishments of Swim & Courtney and Bcecher &
Co. as their representative to go before the Com
mittee of Ways and Means and protest against the
repeal of said tax. Among other arguments adj
vanced before the committee by him in support of
the retention Of the tax was that its abolition
would be of no real benefit 70 the people at large.
THE RETENTION OF THE TAX
in Its present form Is an effective lever in the
hands Of the Consolidated Match Manufacturers
as means of breaking down all competition, and
particularly of wiping out any small manulac.
turers that may attempt to establish themselves
III lllt Duhlutah- SCCtlpn JlED REVISED Statutes,
provides that the proprietor of articles named
in schedule Ito which class matches belong)
who furnishes his own die or design for stamps TO
be used especially for his own proprietary articles
shall be allowed the following commissions on
amounts purchased at one time of not less than
$50 nor more than $500, 5porce cent, and on amounts
over $500, 10 per cent. on the whole amount pur-
chased: PrOtidei, That the commissioner may from
time to time deliyertoa any manufacturer of friction
od SSaGr MATCHES oSor s, suitable quantity Of
payment therefor on credit not exceeding sixty
days." on sufficient security being given. But tine
small manufacturer who II not able to furnish his
own die or design Costing not less than Sl3OD on
over $500, can obtain a commission of only per
cent, and in amounts over $500 only . per cent,
1T SHOULD BE REMEMBERED
that the stamp tax on matches amounts to two
thirds Of the cost of the matches, and the material
over one sxth, and less than sixth Of the cost
thereof Is represented by the price paid for labor
SO when matches are sold by large manufacturers,
having their own dies, at three cents a box, con-
tanning 2OO the profit realized on the same will be
III per cent, while If sold at that price by the
small manufacturer, who is not able TO furnish the
die or design tor the stamp and purchases less
than $500 worth OF stamps at one time, there will
be profit TO him of only . 2-5 per cent Now II
sold by the former 2SS cents per box or profit of
per cent, sales made 10y the latter at the same
price will be at n loss Of ,0j6 cent per box or OF
foregoing 1t Is evident that unless the law of the
stamp tax on matches is repealed or the price of
stamps made uniform, without regard to 1.-The
ownership of the dies or designs for stamps or
without regard to the amounts purchased at any
one time, II will remain in the future, as 1t has
been in the past, source Of oppression TO the
small manufacturers without bene1ting the con-
Bumer, and that If the tax were abolished the
price Of the matches would soon be reduced by
the competition oftho small manufacturers.