The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-23
THEIRS IS NOT A HAPPY LOT.
INTERNAL REVENUE STAMPS MAKE
RAILROAD MEN SWEAR


The lot OF the average railroad man IN
these war revenue days is not a happy
one. Nearly every business transaction in
which ne engages with the public necesSi-
tates an Interpretation OF the war revenue
bin or consultation % the circular OF
instructions which has been sent cut 10
all agents from the general offices. Not
pound OF freight can De received or
pound delivered unless ar adhesive plaster
bearing the letters Il. r. which stands
1o- internal revenue Is affixed to the biz
Of lading or the receipt for freight.
The duplicate must be distinguished from
the original IN order 10 comply with the
law; live stock contracts must De watched
10 see that they have the necessary stamps
duly affixed and leases or the right
deeds tickets, bonds OF indemnity, insur-
ancc policies and countless other papers
which pass through the railroad mans
hands in the course of days business
must all be stamped in sums varying &C
cording To the law.
Northern Pacific passengers and freight
agents have received copies OF a circular
letter relating 10 the war revenue bill sent
out by Comptroller II. \. Gray and ap-
proved by General Counsel <. W. Bum.
OF st Paul. This circular contains four
pages Of closely printed matter. II Is at
first more intricate than the tariff sheets
which all agents are supposed 10 memoir
ize. III fine. the circular is complete d.
gest OF the war revenue law applied 20
the railroad business.
The circular contains instructions 10 the
officials and employees OF both freight and
passenger departments: TO conductors who
issue rebate slips and to officials and en-
poyes OF the land and engineering depart
ments. A perusal of the circular by 4 rail-
road man yesterday led him 10 exclaim
ITS getting so now that 1t is not safe 20
draw your breath without knowing what
the ruling is on the war revenue tax"
The Northern Pacific circular is interest
ing we'll 10 shippers to the employees
~ the road. 1t Is first set forth in the cir
euiar that receipts must be given to
freight shippers either in the form OF live
stock contracts. bills OF lading or shippinS
receipts, each bearing a 1-cent internal
revenue stamp. The company pays for
the stamps on the original bills OF ladiag
and IL the shipper desires duplication, ne
must furnish the stamp himself On bust
Eess by rail to points III British North
America, l0-cent stamp Is required On
business by steam or sailing vessel 10 fer
eign ports no stamp is needed.
4 copy OF a freight receipt not intended
TO De used as contract is not 10 be
stamped. but the agents must Keep track
Of the duplicate and triplicate receipts or
bills OF iadine. specifying each and duly
stamping them.
Where property is left with a railroad
agent for shipment and the shipper
neglects to procure bin OF lading. the law
makes IL incumbent on the agent To see
that a hill is issued and regularly stamped
and filed in his Office. paragraph Ia the
circular i 10 the effect that the destinA-
ton % a shipment may be charged 10y the
company at the direction of the conssnOr
in transit without any additional stamp;
but j. the destination is 80 changed after
the consignment has been delivered. an
other stamp is necessary.
Conductors are instructed 10 stamp with
a 2-cent stamp all rebate slips. Land leases
are taxed at - cents each.
All corporate bonds and certificates are
10 he stamped at > cents each, Policies of
insurance, powers az attorney aud proxies
for voting stocks are all taxed AZ 10 cents
each.