Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-02
THE TARIFF BILL
What the Subcommittee Has Prac-
tioally Agreed On.
how TO GET MORE REVEN UE.
Beer, Whisky and Manufactured
Tobacco Tax Increased.
AN ENLARGED FREE LIST.

The subcommittee of the ways and means
committee having in charge the tariff bill
have not yet reported their rough draft to
their associates, and until Congress is ad-
journed they will probably not do so. They
are now going again over the rough draft,
which they completed several days ago. to
get II In form to report to the majority of
the committee. The policy of the commit
tee In the matter of duties is well estab-
hshed, their purpose being to make the
tariff as nearly as possible simple reve-
nue. tariff. In so doing they expect to in
crease the revenues from customs as well
as to greatly reduce duties all along the
line. All prohibitory duties are to be re-
duced to a revenue point the free list
greatly enlarged and a cut made In nearly
everything along the line.
How to Increase the Revenue.
The question Of increasing the revenue
Is one to which great deal of attention is
being given, and a number of propositions
Tor increasing the income of the govern
ment through the internal revenue taxes
are under consideration. The proposed in
creased tax on beer appears to be a popular
one among the democrats in the House.
1t Is estimated that the present tax of 81
on Z. barrel of beer amounts to about one
nttn or a cent per glass; and ii is calculated
an increase OF 81 barrel, which would
make this tax about two-fifths of a cent
per glass. would not affect the retail selling
price OF the drink and the tax of 81 a barrel
would not be more than half the tax on the
alcohol in the beer of what the whisky tax
Is, the tax being calculated on the alcohol
In the beer and not on the bulk of beer it
SELF An income of So, 100000 year is cal
culated on from this increase, IL made
the tax on whisky will probably be in
creased 10 cents. making 1t 81 instead of
30 cents. as now This increase is reckoned
10 increase the income Sl2.OO0OO0.
On Manufactured Tobacco.
The present tax on manufactured tobacco,
black tobacco, &c, including cigars, is s
cents. 1t is proposed to double this to in
crease the duty by s16,OO0OO0. The tax on
cigars, which Is now IS, il is proposed to
increase to ST. which would add S6, CO., 900 to
the revenue. In connection with this IL is
proposed to reduce the import duty on to-
Dacco used in the manufacture of cigars to
encourage the manufacture in this country
ana increase the revenue by increasing the
importation. AS has been said before IL
Is not proposed to re-establish any tax on
sugar, but the abolition of the bounty would
save the government Sl0.O0OOOO a year prac-
tlcally adding this much to the revenue. 1t
Is calculated that If these things are done
the aggregate increase of revenue will be
Sfo.OOOOO, and II Is believed by the democrats
that there would be a sufficient increase of
revenue resulting from an increase on i'm
portations at lower duties to raise this to
near slO0.OOO0OO.
Tariff Hearings Printed.
The testimony taken by the House ways
and means committee on the tariff has
and members. The matter makes a volume
OF 1.20 pages and contains suggestions re-
lating to almost every item touched by
tariff legislation