The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-07-21
CHANGES IN WAR REVENUE.
The Act Likely to be :" Modified as %
Produce an lLs reasc of
Revenue.

Washington. July II. II is alto
gether probable that the nest annual
report oi the international revenue
bureau will recommend number OF
changes in the war revenue act. In
the main the law has worked satisfac-
torily ana has produced almost ex-
actly the amount estimated by the
commissioners. This, however. was
something less than the estimates
generally accepted by well-informed
members of congress. The internal
revenue officials are Of opinion that
the law might properly he extended in
certain directions without becoming
at all Cumbersome TO the public and in
way TO produce a considera bic rev.
enue.
To Tax ratent-Protected Articles
One of the propositions now under
consideration is TO assess a tax ON the
sale or rental of all patent-protected
articles. In speaking of the matter
yesterday. one OF the officials spoke of
the telephone companies in this con
nection, and at the same time said
that Their, were many inventions pro-
ducing M enormous profit which could
well stand revenue tax.
Express aud Telegraph Compani -
1t probably Will be suggested to con-
grcss that express and telegraph COM
panies doing money exchange bust
ness be required To pay an annual tax
Tor the privileges. Although they now
pay tax on receipts and kilograms
respectively, ii is pointed out that
bankers are required To pay a yearly
tax of $50. which is regarded rs a dis
elimination against them. 1t is prob
able that each express Office and tcle-
graph office in towns having over a
certain population, if the views OF the
treasury officials are approved by con-
gress, will be required 10 pay n certain
yearly tax for the privileges of doing
an exchange business.
Some Notifications Likely
IL is also likely that a modification
OF the law with respect to mutual in
surance companies may be recon-
mended. In the present act there is
consderab BILE abscurity with respect TO
the provisions as to these companies,
both lire and life. II is pointed out
that number of the leading compan-
les in the country are operated upon
the mutual plan. Some Of these are
paying the tax without protest, but
there is doubt as 10 their liability i'm
this respect. 1t is believed, however.
that congress clearly intended TO make
tie exemption apply to local compan-
les doing strictly local business
without surplus or undivided profits
or money al their command with
which to pay large salaries TO their
officers.
Gould Stand a Heavy Tax
section 20 of the war revenue act,
defining what shall be taxed under
schedule i, has been q source of much
trouble to the internal revenue Off
cers. For instance. the " hole group of
coal tar extracts have been decided by
the courts 10 be not subject to the
tax. y pound of phenacetine costs in
Oanada. II is said. from II to Is cents.
and yet. in the United States the price
Is uniformity dollar "A pound. This I
drug, il is thought, could wei stand 4
a heavy tax.
An Expert Commission.
There are several items in the old 4
Internal revenue laws. which. it is be- \
ieNed. should be eliminated or modi- 4
led. and it Is not improbable that con-
sress will be asked TO appoint an ex-
pert commission TO thoroughly 90 over
The grcand and recommend such
changes in detail as an experience has
shown tc be necessary.
The Tax on spirits
Under the present law spirits can
)e sold only in packages OF certain
pccitied capacity. The Canadian gov
srnmcnt, il is said. takes ADVANTAGE
p this restriction and prohibits the
Importation into that country of
'pirits except in packages of an un-
isual size. The result is that Nmeri-
an distillers are compelled to ask au-
hority 10 ship their goods in packages
Q comply with the Canadian require
nent. thus destroying all marks and
'thef evidences of age that is of value
Q them.