Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1897-07-10

II would have been borne by the beer
manufacturers, who had been prosperous
throughout the years of industrial stag
nation. "But," continued Teller, "A
great election was pending in one OF the
states where large portion of the voting
nopuation did not believe in tax on
beer. so it was sacrificed Teller argued
that there were other methods of raising
revenue without laying inordinate taxes
on the necessities of life. He said he had
once been greatly impressed with a re-
mark of Allison to the effect that we had
in this country more untouched and I'M
taxed means of revenue than any other
country in the world. Teller contended
# the finance committee was looking for
revenue. from $2000O000 to S25,000,000
could be obtained by reduction of the
internal revenue tax on whisky to the old
rates. or even lower. His argument was
tnat the high tax of $l.l0 gallon, which
was in reality a tax of 1900 per cent,
stimulated illicit distilling. Teller char9-
cd that wood alcohol makers were close
" connected with one of the great trusts
in fact. one of the great manufacturers of
wood alcohol was owned by a trust. Il
mipht as we'll name it, said he, ~ Is the
sugar trust. which has boosted that 1t
possessed strength enough to prevent
wood alcohol from being placed on a foot
inc with grain alcohol and of preventing
a reduction of the tax on distlhed spirits.
The distillers of spirits have been threat
ened. They had been told; "Gentlemen.
if YOU interfere with wood alcohol we Will
reduce your bonded period to nothing
The whisky men feared the vengeance OF
the powerful combination against them.
"Have we not the skill or have we not the
conraoe to take the S20.0O0,000 revenue
which is offered to us here?' asked Teller
"Have we reached the point where the
American congress is powerless to do its
duty as it sees it.
Lindsay Arrnigned the Trusts.
Lindsay followed with severe ar
raignment of the wood alcohol trust,
which he said was reaping millions a
year by the duty of $3.50 per gallon on
its product on the one hand and the high
internal revenue tax which 1t did not
have to pay on the other.
Allen criticised the amendment as de-
signed to provide partisan tariff com
mission which could be relied upon 20
make a iughandled report.
Spooner defended his amendment
which he said Allen had either not read
on had completely misunderstood. Spoon
er denied that the secretary of the treas
my would under his amendment have the
power to suppress any portion OF the re-
port submitted to him. The commission
would furnish information, which he
hoped would have beneficial results.
White thought the proposed commits
mission would be unwise. He thought this
amendment was declaration of the fail
ure of the bill.
Gallery criticised the methods of max
ing up the commission.
Allen contended that the populists par
ty, which, he said, was growing rapidly,
should have representation on any talltl
commission.
morgan opposed the commission amend
ment on the ground that congress had no
right to delegate its powers. He drifted
into a general discussion of the bill. ut
seizcs the pile of the people, said lie,
and divides it among the politicians and
their friends"
Allison briefly answered the criticisms
on the Spooner amendment and then SAID
that in view of the opposition developed
the committee would withdraw the
amendment, as it was not felt to be sui
ficiently important to further delay the
bill.
A new amendment by Morgan was
agreed to, without opposition. authoriz-
ing the president, when he is satisfied
that it is to the public good, to suspend
the operation of the law as to discrimi-
mating tonnage duty on merchandise or
commodities, or the vessels of foreign ma
tons carrying the same.