New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-17
THE DEFICIT BOTHERS THEM.
HOW TO MEET 1T A HARD PROBLEM FOR
TARIFF SMASHERS.
SOME OF THEM FAVOR DUTY ON SUGAR. AND
THEY SEEM TO BE UNANIMOUS FOR AN IN

| SOME OF THEM FAVOR A DUTY ON SUGAR. AND
THEY SEEM TO BE UNANIMOUS FOR AN IN
COME TAx-THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
Washington. Dec. ia remposition OF duty on
sugar amounting to three-quarters OF cent
nound Is one of the revlsons Of the Wilson TarH
| bill which may yet be made before the measure 10
taken up for consideration in the House. Tne opPo.
sition TO an increased whiskey tax is so great anu
the difficulties surrounding such Increase so hu-
r,erous that Vt is not likely that any part OF ei'e
defct caused by the reduction in rates will be met
from, that source Aside from the fact that long
time would necessarily elapse before the uo'e'n-
ment could receive the benefit OF the increase IT.
would be necessary also to recast the custoi''s
schedules containing alcohol. which would in itself
DELAY the bill and add to the committees ef'pdi
easements. Some of the members OF the committee
strongly favor a small duty sugar They peheVe
that the increased cost to the consumer "ouiu oe
slight while the revenue resulting theretrom "ouiu
be considerable One Of the Democratic meihpei'
of the committee said this morning that he did not
see how 1t was possible 10 avoid taxing sugar
such a movement would be gratifying to the Louisi-
ana delegation and 70 the delegations from other
States where the beet sugar industry Is developing
TIVE work on the internal revenue schedules Is
proceeding slowly. Tie full statistics from 'ne
Treasury Department which the committee VIII
use as the basis for their calculations nave not
been received. and until all Of the data required are
a, hond II will not be possible to reach definite
understanding regarding the form and scope OF the
proposed income tax. There Is no DOUBT tnat al
income tax will be imposed. but the opposition 10
placing 1t on individual incomes is still great II this
purpose Is abandoned and the tax Is placed only
on corporations and egacies considerable revenue
must be raised from other sources Inc increased
tax on cigarettes. tax OF cents on pack OF
playing cards and a probable tax on cigars WILL
at the best yield only additional revenue OF rev
million dollars 1t for this reason that the senti-
rnent In favor Of reimpositon Of tax on sugar Is
developing among the members OF the committee.
The members OF the subcommittee hope to report
their conclusions regarding all these articles 70 the
full committee on Tuesday next. but this is doubt
full one member of the committee said this morning
that ne did not believe the internal revenue sched-
ules would be completed until after the holiday
recess The members of the subcommittee are IN
bers of the Ways and Means Committee and as
several OF them expect leave the city not later
abilities that nothing definite regarding these sched
ules will be accomplished until the reassemoIing
OF Congress after the Christmas recess about jan
Mr. Holman, the chairman q the Democrat &c
Caucus Committee said to-day that the caucus 70
consider the tariff bill would probably be post;
b has not been printed and laid before the men,
brrs yet. and he thinks that II ought TO be care
caucus Mr Holman was asked If i would not be
better to postpone the caucus until the members
80 that they could more integently represent their
wishes when the bin came before the caucus. Mr
holman
lie added. moreover. that a quorum OF the Rouse
would be present after to-day. and that IL would
not be well hold upon 80 important a
subject as the tariff until all nearly all the DEM
ocratic members were In the city 49,
Mr. McMiln. chairman OF the subcommittee nav
ing the Internal schedules In charge. SAID
to-day that the subcommittee had already re-
portel its conclusions to the Democratic members
Of the full committee on cigarettes. playing cards
and inherltances The tax cigarettes has been
increased to 81 50 a thousand on playing cards
tax OF cents is imposed. Upon inheritances the
committee suggests two rates-a ma xlmum rate on
inhcritances descending to collateral branches or
family. and Il minimum rate where the inheritance
ia direct. The proposed rate was left open by the
subcommittee. and has not Deen determined by the
full Democratic majority . ,,,,
Speaking with reporter to-day. Mt McMillln
said: THE deficit caused by the Wilson Tariff bill
will be I'm round numbers about $62 600 Geo. don't
think our necessities will demand more than from
millions by instituting system OF rigid economy
In out National expenditures. ana no inconslderaDie
amount will result from increased importatons con-
sequent upon the flush times and the reduced
raised from income tax. so greatly mas tne
country developed in population and wealth that
an Individual Income tax. exempting Incomes OF
81 900 and less at one-half the rate charged on all
net "A corresponding income-an income large enough
10 supply all deficiencies. We can obtain all the
money we need from this source without doing any
one an injustice hold the same views to-day that
1 did several months ago. when wrote paper on
this subject that was published In well-known
Eastern magazine. | then made the argument that
Il Legacy tax makes It's exactions untll tne
party who worked for the money no longer needs
il. until one Is to get IL who never earned IL Inc
legacy tax in my opinion. is the fairest or all taxes
and / personally have no hesitation in saying that
| am equally favorable TO tax on indlVlduai IN
comes and corporations.