The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-07-20
MORE WAR TAXES COMING.
Coed Patents are Required to PAY
Tribute,
PRESENT LAW IS INADEQUATE
And the | e,y is 10 b. Esterded-TeIeahone
Companies. for Instance. Would aot be
Hurt BY Small lASSsssmenf-Mu!uI I Ia
suraHce Companies May Get Relief.

WAsHISGroS. D. c., Specialize 10
altogether probable that the next an
nal report of the Internal Revenue Bu-
reau will recommend several changes in
the war revenue act. In the main, the law
has worked satisfactorily, and has pro-
duced almost exactly the amount ssti.
mated by the Commissioner This,
however. something less than tho esti.
mates generally accepted by wsll.in-
formed members OF Congress. The in.
terrai revenue officials are Of tho opin-
ion that the law might properly be ex-
tended in certain directions without be-
coming at all burdensome TO the pub
lie, and in way to produce o consid-
erable revenue. One proposition
now under consideration is to assess
| a tax on the sale or rental of all patent
protected articles. In speaking of the
matter, one of the officials spoke
, of the telephone companies in this con-
nection, and at the same time said that
there were many inventions producing
an enormous profit which could we'll
stand a revenue tax.
| 1t probably will be suggested to Con
| gress that express and telegraph com
panies doing N oEey exchange business
be required to pay an annual tax for
the privilege, Although taxes are now
paid on receipts and kilograms,
respectively, it IS pointed out that
bankers are required to pay yearly
tax of $50, which is regarded as a dis
elimination against them. 1t is prob
able that each express Office and tele
graph office, in towns having over a
certain population, if the views of the
Treasury officials are approved by Con
gress, will be required to pay a certain
yearly tax for the privilege of doing
an exchange business. 1t is also likely
that q modification of the law with
Irespect to mutual insurance com
panies may be recommended In the
present act, there is considerable OBJ
scurity with respect to the provisions
as to these companies, both fire aud
life. It is pointed out that a number
Of the leading companies in the coun
try are operated upon the mutual plan
Some Of them are paying the tax with
out protest. bu: there is doubt as tc
their liability in this respect. 1t is be
lieved, however. that Congress clearly
intended to make the exemp ption apply
to local com panies doing strictly loca
business without surplus or undivided
profits or money at their command
with which to pay large salaries to theil
!, Offices
Section 20 of the war revenue act, de
fnins what shall be taxed under Seized
ule B, has been source Of much trou
bleto the internal revenue officials, Fo
instance, the whole group OF coal to
extracts has been decided by the court
: to be not subject to the tax. A pount
Of phenacetiGe costs in Canada, it i
r said. from II to Is cents, aud yet in tn
E. United States the price is uniforml,
I, 81 o pound. This drug, it is thought
!. could well stand q heavy tex
!, There are several items III the Old in
. ternal revenue laws which, it is believ
}, ed. should be eliminated or modified
;, and it is not improbable that Congres
|, will be asled to appoint an expert com
: mission TO thoroughly 90 over tn
ground and recommend such change
in detail as experience has shown to b
S necessary