New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-03

NO SEPARATE INTERNAL REVENUE MEASURE
VOTE TO BE TAKEN on TIE AMENDED
WILSON BILL OK JANUARY I7-oNLY
FIVE DAYS FOR GENERAL DE-
BATE-TIUS Is CALLED EX-
PEDITING BUSINESS
fnY TELEGRAPH THH TRiBrxv'
Washington. Jan. "a per cent tax on In.
comes above $4,000. an additional tax Of 10 cents
n gallon on whiskcy. and tax OF 2 cents n pack
on playing cards was the decision reached by
the Democratic members Of the Ways and Means
Committee to-day. THE Democratic hen has
hatched Popullst chicken a last" was the re-
mark Of a disgusted Democrat tonight when he
heard the Another prominent and in
huential Administration Democrat said: These
men have added the last straw TO the camers
back After they have made ducks and brakes
of the tariff reform principles and declarations
Of the party by framing a tariff bill In fiat vio-
lation Of them, they vote 10 saddle upon the
country, In time OF peace, OF the most odous
and inquistorial forms Of taxation that were
ever imposed upon free people"
The men who voted for the tax in the meeting
held this afternoon were McMin Of Tennessee.
Turner OF Georgia. Whiting of Michigan. Bryan
Of Nebraska. Bynun Of Indiana and Tarsney Of
Missouri The members who voted against II
were Chairman Wilson. Cochran ot New-York.
Stevens Of Massachusetts, Montgomery OF Ken
tucKy and Breclrridge Of Arkansas. AT least
three Of the latter were earnest and sincere IN
their opposition Before the vote was taken
Mr. Cochran moved. in lieu OF the proposed in
terna revenue taxes, that public loan be authori-
lied to meet whatever deficit might be caused by
the reduction Of duties on imported goods until
the increase Of importations at the reduced rates
should be sufficient to provide for the needs OF
the Treasury. This proposition received oily two
votes-those of Messrs. Cochran OF New-York.
and Stevens of Massachusetts.
SURPRISE TO MANY DEMOCRATS.
The action of the majority of the committee
was a surprise to a good many members OF the
House of Representatives who are now In WASH
ington and who had felt confident that the Admin
istration would be able to prevent It. Some OF
them seemed TO be ignorant Of the fact that the
Secretary Of the Treasury is man whose record
did not indicate that he would be a vigorous
opponent of tax on incomes The opponents OF
the Wilson bill have gained new courage on ac-
count Of the action of the majority Of the COM
mittee. and are now strongly inclined to believe
that the measure can be defeated
Whatever may be said by the advocates OF
the income tax to the contrary, the best ap-
thorities agree that not even respectable guess
can be made as to the amount Of revenue it will
YIELD 1t is another step in the dark or course,
In the form the proposition to increase the
whisley tax has taken, the Whiskey Trust Will
gain permanent and certain advantage and
reap a certain and large profit, and 1t is barely
possible that the Government will be able to
collect sooner than II otherwise would 900
or $l4 900 900 of revenue. In other words, the
whiskey interest will be decided gamer II the
recommendation of the committee shall be
adopted.
The committee met AZ the Treasury Depart
ment at o'clock this afternoon, determined to
settle the question OF an income tax before ad-
journment. 1t was represented by SUCH OF the
gentlemen as favored the proposition that gen.
era income tax would yield the Government
an annual revenue Of $50, 900; that making the
exemptions 81 600 would limit IL 10 a class amply
able to afford it, and that in view of the large .
deficit that will be caused by the reduction In
customs duties. there was no alternative but
to adopt II. Some Of the gentlemen who OPP
posed the tax argued at length that the politi-
cal effect would be fatal 10 the Democratic
partv and that il would be better 70 limit the
tax to corporations only and raise the additional
revenue necessary from other sources
NET EARNINGS OF CORPORATIONS INCLUDED.
The tax as decided upon applies to the net
earnings Of corporations well as to private
incomes It does not, however. apply TO nhert-
tances, although that suggestion was one or the
earliest advanced when the matter first came up
for consideration in the committee month ago.
The additional tax of 10 cents gallon
whiskey includes whiskey now in bond With
view to making the tax fall as lightly as possi-
BILE upon the owners of this whiskey. 1t was de.
cided to extend the bonded period To eight years.
1t is now three years Ii was decided that the
allowance for 'outage" shall be limited to six
years The term 1Outage" Is technically used
TO express the liquor that Is lost by evaporation
and from other causes after its manufacture
The large revenue expected 10 arise from the
income tax caused the committee 10 recede from
the tax of cents pack on playing cards ana
to reduce Ii 10 two cents. the more especially
as 1t was felt that the maximum tax would
prove embarrassment to the manufacturers.
The tax Of 81 80 thousand on cigarettes. on
which the committee agreed several weeks ago.
was allowed to stand.
DEBATE TO BE CHOKED OFF.
Mr. Wilson. the chairman Of the Ways and
Means Committee, will not present these reve-
nue. features, agreed upon to-day, formally to
the House He will announce tomorrow the
conclusions reached by the committee. and will
offer the items as an amendment to the Tariff
bill when the latter comes before the House.
Mr. Wilson will call up the Tariff bill at the
conclusion Of the morning hour on Wednesday
and will make a short speech in explanation.
The chairman is so exhausted with the labor
which the preparation OF the bill has imposed
upon him that ne is in no condition OF body OF
mind he expressed 1t tonight 10 do the sub
ject justice. he is unwilling that the discussion
shorld be delayed. however and II Is for this
reason that he will bring IL up tomorrow, with
a view of disposing OF It as quickly as possible
1t is the chairnans intention to reach vote
On the bill on January II. Deducting Sundays
this will leave the bill before the House thir-
teen legislative days. 1t Is Mr.. Wilson's nten-
ion to limit general debate to five days. The
remainder OF the time will be occupied In con.
sidering the measure under the five-mnute rule.
Night sessions will be held in order that MEM
oers who desire may have an opportunity to
speak, but unless the present programme -
changed. all debate will be closed on the 18th
nst.
At the close OF Mr.. Wilson'S remarks to-mor.
'ow, Mr. Burrows. Of Michigan. one OF the lead:
ne Republican members Of the committee, Will
speak In opposition TO the bill.
A STRONG JURY FOR XOyKOUrH COUNTY.