Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-23
Con erenoes With Secretary Carlisle
and Commissioner Miller.
AN INCREASED TAX ON WHISKY
Not on Beer or Tobacco, Deter.
mined Upon.
SURELY AN INCOME TAX.

Some Of the members Of the WAYS and
means committee were at the Treasury De-
partment this morning and held a con-
ference with Commissioner Miller Of in
ternal revenue on the internal revenue fea-
lures of the tariff bill 1t Is understood
that the committee will be guided by the
recommendations OF the department on this
question. though they will probably be at
variance with the ideas of a number of
members of the committee. 1t is under
stood also that Mr.. Wilson has had another
talk with Secretary Carlisle on the ques-
ton of the income tax. The idea of rails
ing more revenue from internal revenue
taxes on beer and tobacco is believed to
nave been abandoned. or at all events the de-
partment does not regard the proposition
very. favorably. and the two items on
which an increase of revenue will be de-
rived are whisky and an income tax. None
Oh these taxes have been yet definitely acted
on by the committee. and the discussion up
10 the present time has been desultory.
To Increase the Whisky Tax.
1t Is the intention Of the committee to in
crease the whisky tax and collect an in
come tax, but the thing still unsettled is
how much the increase on the whisky tax
shall be and what provision shall accom-
pany 1t, for while 1t is expected that an
Increased income might be derived from
other internal revenue sources the purpose
was to add but 10 cents a gallon on whisky
but since beer and tobacco are being left
out OF the calcula tons a greater increase
Is necessary on whisky and it is believed
that there may be an addition of as much
as 80 cents a gallon.
The Proposed Income Tax.
There is violent opposition to an income
tax by two or more members of the COM
mittee, and no vote on that question has
been had; but 1t is so apparent that a ma
jority of the democrats are in favor of an
income tax that it is fair assumption that
! they will include it in the BILL though there
is some talk of compromise by putting
that in a separate bill. AS an abstract prop
| osition a majority of the committee would
probably favor tax on incomes above
$5,OcO. but inasmuch as this would appear
like an intentional exclusion of members of
Congress whose salaries are just 5000. the
exemption will be made below that figure.
The McNiilin subcommittee.
The subcommittee. of which Mr. McNIillin
Is chairman. having In charge the internal
revenue features of the bill, have heen in
| session during the day, apart from the
other members of the committee, and 1t is
expected that they will have their end of
the bill ready for action by the rest of the
democrats tomorrow. There is evidently no
purpose on the part of the committee to
secure support for the bill in the House by
making concessions to members and they
| are keeping members of Congress as much
| in the dark as to their work as they are
| the general public.
Their purpose is to present the broad
principle Of tariff for revenue only to the
| House constructing the bill strictly on reve-
nue. lires and trusting TO the force of party
| organization and the influence of the ad-
ministration to put the measure through
az xxhi n
individual members must make to accom-
| plsh this Members of the committee them
| selves will set the example of self sacrifice
| by their treatment of items in which their
| own immediate constituents are interested
and every democrat in Congress will be
/ exhorted to walk straight to the line CT
principle without regard to his personal
| interests.
To BE Modified in the Senate. -.,,,.
1t is said by some gossips that the bill
now being prepared is made radical with
| the expectation that it will be modified by
| the Senate. There is most excellent reason
| for saying that there is no expectation or
| desire on the part OF this committee for
| such a modification, though they may en-
terrain some fear that the Senate will not
be willing to pass such a bill as the House
will adopt and the expectation Is that all
| the influence of party organization will be
exerted to put the bill through both houses
| of Congress practically in the form in which
| 1t will be reported from the committed
! Party pressure of the most severe sort
will be brought to bear to accomplish this
| The organization of the committees and the
| general plan and management for the con-
| gressional elections next fall has been post
poned and the manner of the organization
! when effected will probably have consider
/ able bearing on the tariff question. 1t is
| entirely probable that democratic members
| who are disposed to kick over the traces
| will find nat in order to keep in touch with
| the organization and secure aid and comfort
| which they desire in the campaign will
! have to stand up to the policy which the
| leaders in Congress and the administration
| advocate.