The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-09
EXTENT OF WAR TAXES.

The public press has on more than one
occasion referred to the internal revenue
law, endeavoring to show how oomprehen-
nive 1t is There is scarcely line OF busi-
ness or amusement that escapes taxation
Deputy Collector Wilson is now looking
after tho collection of revenue from vari-
GUS entertainments and In speaking of
the rulings on this subject by the United
S ,ates commissioner, he said TO Post
reporter today:
Upon all picncs. entertainments, cake
wallis, festivals. baseball, races and every
thing OF an exhibition character, tax
Of $40 is imposed by the new revenue law,
when such entertainments are given for
profit The ordinary church or Sunday
school entertainment, without any hired
performers, does not come under the head
OF public exhibitions, either In private
houses or licensed public halls, for church
or charitable benefits are exempt. Variety
shows for which no admission Is charged.
but parties are expected to patronize by
purchasing drinks are the same as though
admission was charged and the tax must
be paid. Exhibitions of Edisons kineto-
scope require payment of n special tax OF
$40 in each place where such exhibitions
are had. Exhibitions and shows given on
fair grounds, but not under management
ana COnlTOl VI Tue AoSNNidliOh uOiuihb
special tax stamp, are required to pay
separate special tax. The special tax for
horse races is $40.
Exhibitions at parks beer gardens or
places of resort outside of corporate limits
OF large cities are subject to tax of $40.
IA musical performance given in a sa-
loon without cost, the patrons of which.
however. are expected to buy drinks, is
subject to special tax. All county fairs
must pay tax. A railroad company which
has a park to promote excursions. al
though no admission IL charged. must pay
special tax. A special tax should be
1 paid on monographs when used In public
! places. Concert halls 10 cities having moro
| than $4,000 population, TO which nom-
inal entrance fee Ia charged are subject
to tax
| Mr.. Wilson further said: "Collector
4 Flanagan Is not only positively determined
( that all parties liable to pay this tax in
the future must pay. but that every one
! who has avoided the tax in the past shall
also pay. ! am gathering data, in forma-
ton and names of all partieS- who have
been violating this law In the past OF
course, we expect to have no difficulty IN
strengthening this out IL Is presumed that
those who have been violating this pro-
vision have done so out OF ignorance OF
the law. However. / am giving this my
special attention Just now and hone tina,
every one will understand Il and pay up
promptly
The internal revenue department has al
ways been one OF the most important
branches OF the government and the duties
OF collecting are a.duous and exacting
They are rendered doubly so now by tina
new revenue law which covers such 4
Wide range Most of the provisions Of the
, act are little understood by the public al
large hence the necessity for vigilance
, aud activity on the part Of those charged
vi h locking after the laws enforcement
, Deputy Collector Wilson has Il large ter
rttery, embracing In addition to Calves.
, ten and Houston, all of Southeast Texas
and is kept busy all the time