The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-05
SHIFTING THE BURDEN
Senator Shoup on the War Rev
enue Act.
THE INTENT OF THE BILL
Express, Telegraph and Telephone Com
panies Evade the Law When
They Make Customers Pay
for the Stamps.

Senator George L. Shoup. after a few
days spent in Butte. left yesterday aft
ernoon for Boise to Join his family. and
from there will proceed to his home at
Salmon City.
Il have not been home since last Oc-
tober, and / have commercial interests
there that need my attention" said the
senator.
After the adjournment Of congress
Senator Shoup and family visited the
Omaha exposition and then returned to
Idaho, Mrs. Shoup and other members
of the family remaining in Boise while
the senator came to Montana to VISIT
some friends at Helena and Butte anu
| attend to some private business.
An attempt was made to interview
the senator, but he good-naturedly de-
| clined to discuss politics and said 1t was
too warm to talk much on that subject.
o any other subject l do not be-
lieve | could say anything that would
be of interest or that would add any
thing to what every newspaper reader
knows" he said.
The senator was asked for his opin-
ion as to the intent Of congress in pass
ing the war revenue law as to whetner
the telegraph, telephone and express
! companies ana OlneT COIpoIdliohS - '~
public should pay the war tax.
1T was clearly the intention OF the
trainers of the bill that the telegraph,
express and other companies shoulo
bear the burden of the stamp tax, SAID
the senator. 1T was so understood py
every senator and congressman, ana
that was the intent when the law was
framed and IL was passed with that
purpose" -
I'm shifting the burden upon the
public the companies are then simply
evading the lawT'
They evade the intent of II, certain
Iy, but the courts have not yet passed.
on the question, and they may say that
the corporations are right. The Dill,
however. was drafted by one of the best
LAWYERS on the Pacific coast, Senator
White Of California, and i have faith
I'm his ability to draft a bill that ought
TO stand the test of the courts.
1T was his intention, in drafting the
law. that the tax should be paid by the
companies?'
That was the intent"
Senator Shoup's opinion is endorsed
by an opinion of the secretary or the
, treasury and by several inferior courts
i'm the East, but the companies, espe-
, cially the telephone and telegraph com
: panies. ignore them and have declared
I that the public woul have to pay the
d / ii n vi Wv
4 started out to pay the tax and were
: romptl boycotted by the other com
NAMES. Recently several others have
magnanimously consented to pay the l.
: cent tax required on receipts 'and chars'
the shipper 5 cents additional on I'M
express matter itself. In that way TN
a express companies will be able TO con
9 tinue paying proper proportional div
n dends.
4 Several states attorneys and Unite'
4 / States district attorneys, notably II
o Texas and Missouri, nave commence,
If suits against express and telegraph
a companies to compel them not only I
pay the tax but to collect the hne an
It penalty imposed by law for failure I
is do so.
r Since the publication in the Standar
- a few days ago Of the fact that all deco
IS and bills of sale of any description RI
X uulred at least a 10-cent stamp thei
n have been less such instruments file
fe with the county clerk and recorder VIII
ID out the required stamp omitted.
~ An important decision In regard
IN conveyance of real estate was yesterda
I'm received from Commissioner scott Z
A. Washington. The decision was made
Ia response TO an inquiry as to whether
,e stamp was required on a deed OF eith'
ap real or personal property where the COZ
ye sheraton was 81 and love and matt
es raj affection" The commissioners d.
IN cision is that the conveyance must !
stamped in accordance with the a.
tual value of the property.
~ There are a number of persons
Butte who. through ignorance or d
sign. have entirely ignored the WI
" revenue law. The law PROVIDES lor
IN penalty Of SO per cent. where reven'
Is licenses were not taken out prior to la
ad Monday.