National Republican., 1883-11-05
INTERNAL REVENUE.
Commissioner Evans's Report OF tho Last
Years wOrk-The Present Condition
and Needs OF the Service.

Commissioner Evans's Report OF the Last
Years work-Tbe Present Condition
Rnd Needs OF the Service.
Walter Evans commissioner of internal
revenue, has made his report of the trans
actions of his bureau for the year ending June
30, 1888. The annual saving TO tho govern
ment, by the consolidation of 1876 collection
districts into oighty-thrco, is estimated at
$l25000. Tho aggregate amount of tho re-
duction of internal revenue made by tho act
of March 3, 1888, is estimated at Si3,OOOOOO
per annum, including SG,0OO,0OO tax on the
capital and deposits of national banks, paid
directly TO tho treasurer of the United States
While this is so, it is also estimated that the
increased revenue from distilled spirits
for the current year will so augment receipts
from that source as to make the aggregate re-
ceipts for this year at least $780, 900 900, should
therc be no further change in tho internal
revenue laws.
The total receipts from all sources of in
ternal revenue taxation for tho fiscal year
ended juno 80, 1888, were Sl44 553, ,3ii.S6, as
compared with Sl46,523,273.72 for the year
1882, and $135, ,220, 012.3O for the year 1881.
The collections for the first three months OF
the present fiscal year amount to S29,671,-
1851, u decrease of $I926 40l.69 from the
aggregate for the corresponding period last
year
The cost of collection for the past fiscal
year was So 113, 73LSS. The total expenses,
including the expenses of the internal reve-
nue., will be found, on final adjustment to be
about 81 per cent. on tho amount collected.
Tho commissioner says tho condition of the
service is excellent; that no extensive frauds
are being perpetrated upon the government
by those who are required to pay internal
revenue taxes and that evidence accumulates
daily that oven in those portions of the coun-
try where at one period it was not regarded
rs disreputable to resort to any device TO de-
feat the collection Of internal revenue, there
is u healthy change of public sentiment, and
it is not difficult to secure the conviction of
the guilty.
The commissioner calls attention to the
great difficulty that is experienced in secur-
ing the conviction of persons who have COM
lnitted ohenses against the government more
than two years before the indictment against
them is found, and recommends that con-
gress be requested to enact a statute fixing
the Limitation for the prosecution of otlenses
against the revenue laws at much less
period than five years as now provided, OK
cept in cases where the accused places him
self beyond the jurisdiction of the court of
the district where the otlense was committed.
Nine hundred and twenty-seven violations
of law have been reported by revenue agents
during the year; 476 persons have been
arrested on their information, property to the
value of $91 ,40115 has been reportedb by them
for seizure and for assessment for unpaid
taxes, and penalties amounting to 1894 i,912.15
have been reported by them.
Thirty-seven railway and income cases for
collection of back taxes under laws repealed
have been examined by agents under special
assignment. The amount of taxes received
from railway cases during the last fiscal year.
which had been examined and reported upon
by agents in previous years, is S161, ,0f2.07.
But few of this class of cases now remain un-
disposed OF. All the claims against railway
corporations, with one exception, are now in
suit.
There has been expended from the appro-
pration tor salaries and expenses of revenue
agents during the year, as follows:
Aggregate salary of agents ............ Ss3007 90
AGyre n q HmUunt tor travelling eX-
tAlID O'...,...... 1l 6S2 "
Stationery furnished ngents............ 29l "a
Ir,ns oruton over Pacific railwas un-
der odcis from treasury department. 1923 81
Total. ..........................S Sl27,30i SO