Chicago eagle., 1898-04-23
ARE the BREWERS OvriAweD9

IL we go to war we need. as Fre,ier.
lex the Great used to say. money; sec.
ondly. money: and. thirdly, money
again. Therefore our representatives
in Washington have put their heads to-
gether to procure the meaus for carry
ing on the war. So far. according to
the latest news from Washington. they
have agreed on the issue of interest
bearing bonds In the sum of $jU.OO.-
900. the doubling of the tax on beer.
an increased tax on tobacco, and higher
duties on coffee and tea.
When the citizens will I've confronted
with higher tax bill. when they will
he asked to pay higher prices for their
necessities and luxuries, their war ei.
thusiasm will considerably cool down.
But 1t Is not the taxpayer who cries for
war. but the tax.eatcr. the politician
and the loafer. who have nothing to
lose. but everything to gain.
The Tribune will greatly rejoice over
n doubling of the beer tax. for 1t has
demanded IL for years. That paper
wants the brewing industry. which is
almost entirely in the hands of Ger
Americans. to he doubly taxed.
We are tired of repeating the same ar
guments over and over again. which
we have so often used to rcpel the un-
lust and outrageous demands OF the
Tribune. yet we will call to-day special
attention to one point only. to wit: that
the Tribune up to now has asked FOR
an increase of the beer tax to overcome
the deficit in the treasury only. while
now IL demands the Increase for the
purpose of defrnying the expenses Of
war. For that the brewing industry is
good enough. When our country Is I'm.
perilcd, when our Government needs
money to carry on war. then the brew.
crs are to be MIXED twice. while In the
time of peace journals like the Tribune
try everything In their power to make
life u burden for Uncle Sans milch
COW. and to give II as little food as pos
sible. No other industry IL subjected
to similar tribulations and infringe
ments of municipal. state and Federal
authorities. Although the brewing In.
dustry must pay high licenses. taxes
and assessments Of all kinds. II is
trampled upon by every politician Of
puritan proclivities. as II II were dan
gerous enemy who must bc crushed.
In our opinion au industry giving
such large share Of It's incomes to the
government, is entitled to protection
and does not deserve to be haunted and
troubled continuously.
II the Federal Government to-day
needs money to carry on war with
Spain. not only the brewers and con.
suners Of beer, tobacco. coffee and ten
should be assessed. but also the large
corporations, who are likewise under
Government protectiOn; for instance,
the railroads or corporations like the
Pullman company.
Last year the number Of cars Of MI
classes In service was 1.207 CAD, Of
which 1,?2l .sS7 were assigned to freight
service and 74,702 were passenger cars
The total number Of locomotives In SER
vice was 3j.OjO. How would II bc II
the railroads had to pay war tax OF
80 for every freight cur. and Of $50 fOl
every passenger cur? That would make
for the freight cars $12OOO,OOO, for ths
passenger cars one million and q half
or almost $14.OOO.OOO In nll. which sum
together with revenues from similar
sources. !. g., from vessels, street cars
etc.. could easily be increased to TWEEN
ty.iive or thirty million dollars.
II we are 80 anxious to have war, We
must all pny our share toward defray'
Ing the expenses. To throw the whole
burden upon the shoulders Of few
and to let rich corporations ont entirely
would be a grave injustice, for which
the dominant Republican party will be
held responsible and will suffer the con-
seIuences.-EditOrlal In the Illinois
Staats Zeltung, from the pen Of Mr.
Joseph Brucker.