The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-10
always been measurably successful IN hand
ling them Button Chronicle
THE WAR TAX.

Special in Chicago Post.

Special in Chicago Post.
The war tax law has now been in opera
ton about fifteen months, and in that time
about 1926 000000 has been collected under
its provisions
The ease with which this vast sum has
been collected is a marvellous illustration
OF the loyalty and patience of the American
people, said Internal Revenue Commits
sioner Wilson to-day.
Has there not been complaint and fric-
ton, revolt or wholesale evasion of the
taxes?" asked.
No." was the reply, nothing worth Sc
rious mention. The people have paid the
tax cheerfully and submitted to the annoy
ances inevitably incident to the application
of law that touched personally and con-
tinually the pockets Of nearly every adult
In the country. Nothing like it was ever
seen before. The collection Of ordinary in
ternal revenues under the law as it stood
prior to August of last year cost the gov
eminent $4,000. The collection Of the adj
ditional $O0,0Oo0oo imposed by the war rev.
enue law did not cost more than $4,000 on
top OF the 000 or about 80 cents for
something in a scattering way through the
second using or the same stamps, and there
nave doubtless been small evasions, but
These incidental and minor abuses might
De apated, and the bureau is vigilant in
STOPPING leaks wherever located. but it has
been the policy to refrain from harsh meas
ures. The administration has realized
keenly that the tax was a burden and an
ANNOYANCE, and the aim has been to avoid
friction or cause for irritation wherever
possible. There has been kindly admins
tration of the law, without laxity in any
direction The report proves the wisdom of
this policy. The people have given us their
CO-ODoratl0n cordial
throughout and in many ways have discour-
aged evasions of the law. The tax has been
In measure self-collecting. / wish l knew
some way to convey to the people who have
been paying the war tax my appreciation of
the general good will and patience they
have manifested throughout what must
nave been 10 them period of trial and
bother. They have stood up grandly."
Commissioner Wilson has found the war
spects. but he will not take the initia tive for
its cure. He will leave it for the secre-
tary OF the treasury to make suggestions
or recommendations and for Congress to
make inquiries. When he is asked in proper
form and through the usual channels for
Information or advice he will comply to the
best of his ability and give Congress the
benefit of his experience and observation.
The commissioner has no data upon which
to base estimates of the receipts from vari-
Gus articles or businesses taxed. There are
only two kinds of stamps issued, proprietary
and documentary and these are the only di-
visions in the cash and stamp accounts OF
can tell the amount paid in on account of
bank checks, notes, deeds, telegraph mes
sages, express packages, stock exchanges
boards of trade, inheritance, etc. The stamps
might have been printed in colors for the
purpose of ascertaining the various subdi-
visions of revenue, but the plan was aban-
doned on the theory that the reports would
not compensate for the confusion which
might be caused. The original proposition
the collection of the tax with the least pos
sible annoyance and confusion, prevailed.
At the outset many schemes were con-
ceived TO beat the law. Few of them were
| put into effect. The one that threatened
| greatest loss to the government was the use
| of receipts instead of regular checks. De,
| positors did not take kindly TO the scheme
| however. The proposed steal was too pic
| ayunish to become popular, and the receipt
| plan Of evading the tax is only in operation
| in few small towns. The agreement
| between New York banks in the Wall-street
| district, where speciality is made of loan
| ing call money daily to stock brokers &c
| beat the tax on notes has run along without
| bureau interference until quite recently. The
question of the legality of the subterfugt
| has been referred to Attorney Genera
Griggs, and an early decision is expected.