The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-03
THE MoNoPoLIEs DEFIANT.
Will Not Pay for Stamps-A Telegram
to Senator Fairbanks.

Will NOT ray IOr StampS-A 1GAGS rum
to Senator Fairbanks.
A sign conspicuously supported by a step
ladder in the center of the hall leading to
the Office of the deputy revenue collector
in the federal building yesterday an
nounced, mo New Revenue Stamps To-
day." This saved the clerks in the Office
a great deal OF trouble. Still the telephone
rang almost necessarily all day and anx
ious inQuirers asked if there were any more
stamps. The rest of the conversation was
usually this:
mo, we have no stamps"
''Well, may we do business without
them?"
Certainly, but keep account of the
stamps you will need
1t was hoped before the time of every
mail that it would bring supply of
stamps, but nothing came but disappoint~
ment The supply of stamps at the banks,
the telegraph companies and the express
companies had not entirely run out because
they had stocked up heavily the first day
the stamps were issued. Some of the con-
Germs had sent to Chicago and other nearby
cities and bought stamps to reinforce their
supplies.
The men employed in the federal offices
are generally of the opinion the express
companies and the telegraph companies are
violating the law when they force their
patrons to pay for the necessary stamps,
but no one offers a solution of the problem.
At the office Of the United States district at
torney it was stated that no instructions
had been received from Washington in the
matter 1t was said the revenue department
would have to take the first step in prose-
cutting the violaters of the law. Major
Glover, deputy revenue collector, was asked
If he had any authority in the matter. He
replied that so far as he knew he had none.
Collector NoWlin, of LaWrenceburg, II was
said, is the man who should see to it the law
is enforced and violaters punished.
Mr.. Nowlin should be here attending to
his duties,'' one indignant inquirer re-
marked.
All over town, among attorneys and bust
ness men, it is asserted the express and tel
egraph corporations are piling up against
themselves cases which must In the end
bring down on them heavy penalties. 1t
studied the law, and many have done in
the last forty-eight hours, that the express
and telegraph companies are liable to the
tax, and not the public. News that test
cases have been filed and others Will be
filed against the express and telegraph COM
panies gives little satisfaction to the BUSH
may fool along in the courts for a long
time. In the meantime. they must pay for
the stamps. 1T is not true that anger against
the big corporations which are violating the
law has in the least subsidized. There are
indications that a demand Will be made on
the federal authorities shortly for a final
decision in the matter. If the local authori-
ties cannot answer this big question, the
authorities at Washington will be appealed
to.
The action Of the railroad companies in
paying for the stamps on the bills of lading
is being commended. Yesterday evening the
express companies were still refusing to pay
for stamps. At the telegraph offices not
only were the senders of kilograms forced
to pay for the stamps, but old customers
were. not allowed credit. The explanation
was that the tax business is not being kept
on the accounts. The telegraph companies
state they do not wish to be involved in the
tax matter. They are involving themselves
many times day with a penalty of $50
tagged on to- every case, but this, it is
stated is the fault of the highest authori-
ties of the companies, who have ordered that
the patrons of the companies shall pay the
tax.
Many business men feel they are helpless
in the matter, for the telegraph companies
and express companies are leagued TO-
gether in refusing to obey the law 1t has
been suggested that it would be we'll Tor
shippers to send goods by freight when 1t is
not necessary that they shall reach their
destinations in express train time.
The Commercial Club sent the following
telegram Yesterday to Senator Fairbanks
s'Revenue stamps cannot be had here. IN
ability to get them is resulting in great con-
fusion and embarrassment to business Will
YOU kindly bring the matter to the attention
of the proper authorities?