The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1893-06-30
REVENUE REFORM
Edward Atkinson. Who Has Reen Mt
Work Oh the Problem Several
Months,
Outlines the Plan Which He Has
Finally Evolved - As
Starter
He Would Double the Tax ON Beer. To
Cover Immediate Deflcits-Balance
Of the Plan.
He Would Double the Tax on Beer. To

'oo1oN, cuIlo S(.-EOWarO AGk1n5On
mas made public his plan for the reform
OF the tariff. The task is one to be un-
dertaken, he says, as soon as the none
tary question can be settled.
In dealing with the reduction of the
tariff, regard must be given, Mr.. Atkin.
son says, first to make such adequate
additions to the free list as may do
away with the present disadvantages
under which our domestic manufac-
lures and mechanic arts have so long
suffered in the relative costs of their
materials, and second, to establish such
lesser rates of duty on finished products
OF voluntary use as to increase, rather
than to diminish revenue.
Not To Be Rushed Through.
AS to the time required to bring
about reform Mr.. Atkinson says that
the demands upon con gress may make
1t necessary to defer for some months
any great changes that might imperil
the present revenue. In the year 1895
the obligation for pensions will fall off
ABOUT one-third or one-fourth. 1t
would, therefore, be desirable that any
great changes in the existing system of
collecting revenue should be deferred
until the last parr of the year 1894, or
subsequently to the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1924, for which year provision
Will be made at the ensuing session of
congress. because in that fiscal year our
maximum expenditure will culminate,
In the meantime the probable excess of
revenue under existing laws will make
1t safe to abate duties on all imported
crude and raw materials at very early
date in the year 1894.
Free Raw Material.
1t may be assumed that the present
congress would not take final action
upon well defined and consistent tariff
act before Jan. 1, 1894. This act may
put wool, dye stuffs, ores, coal and
other crude or so-called "raw materials"
on the free list, this change to take ef-
feet in the early part of the year 1894.
There should then be an interval of at
least six months before the reductions
OF duties on finished goods takes effect
In order to give the consumers of raw
material an opportunity to work off ex-
isting stocks without disaster. This
would bring the revenue tariff into COM
plete operation in the latter part of the
year 1894. If congress at the com
ing extra session would empower
the secretary Of the treasury to liqui-
date the first payments allowed ON
pension claims by the issue Of pension
notes bearing a low rate of interest,
payable on the call of the treasurer. the
only uncertain element would be re-
moved, and the adjustment of the reve-
nue. to prospective expenditures could
then be made i'll a more prompt and
effective manner.
There is another very simple way of
bridging over this interval that would
give absolute assurance of an abundant,
ii not a surplus revenue.
Double the Tax on Beer.
In the last fiscal years the consump.
ton OF beer amounted to nearly ~. OUO,.
600 barrels of 81 gallons each, on which
the present tax is 81 barrel, less 5 pe1
cent discount when stamps are bought
in large quantities. If this discount
were not given the gain in revenue
would be about $1,5OOOOO. but why
should not the tax on beer be doubled
at once, SO as to cover the last incre
ment of the first payment of pensions
from June 81 to December 81, 1894, and
thereafter kept at 81 for perhaps two OF
three years. i'll order to cover the posi-
bility of u reduction of customs revenue
in the transition period.
If the tax were doubled it would no,
exceed 8 per cent or less than half &
cent on each half pint of beer. The ad
ditional revenue would be from $50,
900, 900 to $35. 600, 900 in 1S94-95.
Beer Floats the Navy.
Internal revenue from spirits has sus
tained the civil service; from tobacc,
the army has been sustained, and rev
enue from beer has more than supported
the navy. The customs revenues from
spirits, wines and tobacco have NOR
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