The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-08-24

the list Of proprietary medicines that
we're supposed 10 be taxed, nearly all
coal tar products and every concely-
able drug or chemical that can by any
means be brought within the definition
Of the word "unoOmDounded" This,
the Internal revenue officials say. has
cost the government thousands Of dol
lars. The effort will be made 10 per-
suade congress TO remedy this defect
In the law so that this discrimination
cannot exist Congress will also be
asked to remove the ambiguity OF the
language imposing stamp tax on
proprietary medicines 80 AZ TO include
many that have hitherto been able to
escape through technIcalItles and by
the Disgusting u their products.
The revenue from the tax on proprle-
tary medicines ia not 10 large an was
estimated and II may happen that con-
gress VIII be asked TO increase the
present tax OF "a cents on the dollar
on all patent medicines, perfumes and
cosmetics. II has become apparent 10
the revenue officials that II any ade-
quate increase in the revenues Is 70
be- realized. II must come from the fur
thcr imposition Of stamp taxes. Just
where 20 impose these taxes is the
question now bothering those In charge.
For several weeks data have been
quietly gathered by the secretary.
The following are some Of the sugges-
tions that find favor among the reye-
nue. officials:
The imposition Of a stamp tax on all
patented protected articles. the theory
being that the value OF the article Is
greatly enhanced by the protection Of
ihe patent laws OF the United States
and that. aS a war measure purely.
the government would be justified In
demanding a fractional part OF the
profits secured through the establish
ment OF a monopoly by virtue OF thu
patent laws. II Is also proposed to
place stamp tax on all slot machines
in which there is any element Of
chance, II has been found that the
manufacture OF these machines has at
tanned gigantic proportions In each
OF them the percentage OF profit 20 the
proprietor Is enormous and the tax
would not be oppressive. OF course
this would not strike those machines
which dispensed chewing gum. for in
them there Is no element Of chance
and the gum already pays govern
ment tax. Another proposition that
has met with favor at the hands Of the
treasury department. is one TO put
stamp tax on all ire arms except such
as are used FOR national. state or mu-
nioipal purposes. This would. In all
be a pretty stltf tax and
woull yield large revenue for the sale
OF fire arms In the United States reach
es into the hundred thousands Of dol
lars annually A single tax less burdei-
some Is suggested in connection with
fire works.
II win thus be seen that the depart
ment has gone into a fleld Ia search OF
revenues that was discarded by cong
ress when the war revenue bill was up
Tor consideration, The members Of
the senate finance committee were fav-
orably impressed with the suggestion
made 20 them. but II was abandoned
because II was believed that sufficient
revenues would be secured without |
further increasing the burdens OF tax
alton, Now the expenditures OF the |
government have been Increased and !
there is no hope OF an Increase In re-
ceipts. Items that We're originally |
booked for special war taxes will again
be considered and the scope of the /
war revenue law enlarged so as to
assist the treasury and
L possible prevent another issue of
bonds,