Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-11-19
INTERNAL REVENUE.
Commissioner Mason's Annual Re-
port Submitted For Approval.
FLUCTUATIONS DURING THE YEAR.
Changes Owing to Recent Legislation-II-
bcit Stills Destroyed and Persons Ar
rested-Seven Amendments to
Laws Recommended.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1G.-The annual
report of John w. Mason, commission
er of internal revenue, which has just
been submitted to the secretary of the
treasury, contains a mass of interest
ing information in regard to the opera
ton of that service.
The total receipts for the last fiscal
year from all sources were S146, 035, 416,
an increase of So. 44O,7 719 over the re-
ceipts of the previous fiscal year. The
cost of collection for the past fiscal
year was S2,2i0, 6O4 or IS per cent of
the receipts against 2.s2 last year. The
estimated expenses for the next fiscal
year are 81, 522, $50.
During the year COS stills were de-
stroyed and ninety-seven were removed,
involving the arrest of 37S persons
The aggregated amount of taxes col
lected from tobacco was S32, 706, 270 a
decrease of 81, 1862, 20, due to the re-
duction of the tax on snuff, chewing
and smoking tobacco and to the repeal
of special taxes relating to tobacco.
The tax on cigars and cigarettes was
not changed and the collections there
from were increased 81, 1856, $50 during
the last fiscal year. The increase of
taxed tobacco and snuff over 1890 was
15,650,SS4 pounds, the increase of
tobacco and snuff exported 4, 2s9
pounds, and the increase of tobacco and
snuff imported and withdrawn for con-
sumption 165, 7O1 pounds. The increase
during the fiscal year of 1891 of taxed
cigars was 3S7, OO2, 7S4, and the decrease
of cigars exported was 40, 966, and of
cigars imported and withdrawn from
consumption 30, 74O, 729. The increase
of taxed cigarettes was 451, 2S4, $50, and
of cigarettes exported IS, 224, 200.
The decrease of cigarettes imported
were 594, S75.
The commissioner says that in order
to make the tariff law effective seven
amendments will be required, among
which is one forfeiting Illicit factories
and also duly authorized factories
where there is any serious violation of
the law. 1t should also be made a
penal offense to remove or to use
stamps or to have in possession stamps
that have once been used. The
total number of grain, molasses
and fruit distilleries registered
and operated during the year
is 400 and $50 respect
lively, decrease of 2,3si in the number
registered and a decrease of 2,392 in |
the number operated The quantity of |
spirits (115. 962, ,Ss9 gallons) produced |
and deposited in distillery warehouses
during the fiscal year ended June 80,
1891, is more than the produc- |
ton (1O9, 275, ,92S gallons) of the |
year 1890, by $3.50. 461 gallons.
The difference is distributed among |
the different kinds as known to
the trade, as follows: Increase in pro-
duction, high wines 451, 49s gallons, rye
whisky 9S9,s12, alcohol 9O6, 1873, rum
126, 5O4, gin 90, 734, pure neutral or CO.
logne spirits 1,SS2, 5O7, miscellaneous
5, SS1, 202; total increase 9. 229, $50 gal
Ions; decrease in the production of
whisky 2, 543, 800 gallons; net
increase $3.50. 49, gallons. There was
an increase of spirits withdrawn for
purposes and for the use of
the United States, 956 gallons
The quantity of spirits in distillery
June so. 1891, was the largest
quantity so held at the close of any
fiscal year. The stock on hand has
grown from 81, 600, 600 in 1855 to 6s, 5OO,-
200 in 1889, to So 100, 600 in 1890 and
inally to nearly 113. 600. 900 in 1891. 1t
appears from reports recently received
hat while the quantity of spirits in
iistillery warehouses September so,
1890. was IS, 1O6 go gallons, or more
han 1900. coo less than the guam
ity therein June 80, 1890. the guam
ity in warehouses September so.
s91, was 1O4. $40. s93 gallons. or more
han 400, 900 less than the quantity SO
leld June so, 1891 It is noticed also
hat this increased reduction is due to
decrease in production during July,
August and September, 1891, rather
han to increased tax paid Withdrawals,
he quantity withdrawn tax paid dur
ng these three months being nearly l.
90, 900 gallons than the quantity so
withdrawn during July August and
ieafember. 1s9a