Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-21
Republican Committeeman Con.
slider War Revenue Tax.
WHAT THEY PROPOSE TO DO.
The Tax on Tea to Be Retained and the
Tariff on Imports Not to BIO Taken Up
No Hearings to Be Granted While
Framing the Bill Secretary of Treas
ury Cage Fayors Reduction In Revenue
of 100000 900 The Stamp Tax.
(By Telegraph to Virglnian-Pilot.)

n
Washington. Nov. 2o.-The Republi-
can members of the Ways and Means
Committee met to-day to consider
measure for the reduction of the war
revenue tax. The most important ac-
ton taken was n decision not to re-
move the tax OF ten cents a pound on
tea. The committee will not take up
or disturb the tariff OH imports, as the
members claim it would open up the
whole subject of tariff revision.
The committee will not grant any
hearing while framing the bill, as full
hearings were given during the last
session of Congress-, and since then
briefs and statements of various inter-
ests have been received. Parties who
are interested, however, can file briefs
or statements with the committee.
GAGE FAVORS REDUCTION.
Secretary Gage and Commissioner
Wilson. OF the Internal Revenue Blu
reau, were before the committee for
some time during the afternoon The
Secretary told the committee that in
his opinion there might be n reduction
in revenues of S30,000000. The war
revenue act now raises about 100000
600. Commissioner Wilson went over
the schedules with the members of the
committee, and both he and Secretary
Gage were questioned as to where re-
auctions could be made to the best ad-
vantage from the Treasury view point.
THE STAMP TAX.
A considerable part of the discussion
was confined to schedule Il, which
taxes medicinal and proprietary
articles and preparations. perfumery,
cosmetics. chewing gum, wines, etc.
There was also discussion Of stamp
taxes The discussion indicated that
the committee favored quite change
in this feature of the law and reduc-
tons wherever possible. The commit
tee also desires to eliminate the taxes
OIL conveyances of which there has
been n great deal of complaint.
1t can be stated that in a general
way ii will be the aim of the commit
tee to abolish the most burdensome
taxes and to grant relief from stamp
taxes as far as possible.
ANOTHER MEETING.
The committee late in the day called
on the President to obtain his views
on the proposed reduction. The COM
mittee will meet again tomorrow. At
ter there has been n general inter-
change of opinion on the proposed re-
duction, it is quite likely that Il SUBJ
committee will be appointed to draft
measure.
1t is not believed the bill can be pre-
pared and ready for the full committee
until the session begins. The measure
after il is agreed upon by the Repub-
licans, Will be submitted to the Demo-
Gratis of the committee.
THE OLEOMARGARINE BILL.
Suggestion has been made that the
oleomargarine bill, now on the House
calendar and made a special order for
December 6. might be made n part OF
the war revenue bill. Representative
Tawney, the father of the oleomarga-
rine bill. when asked about this, said
that the oleomargarine bill would be
passed by the House early in the ses-
sion, so that an opportunity would be
given to ascertain if there was q dis
position to defeat the measure in the
Senate by any unusual delay. In such
case he intimated that the oleomarga-
rine bill might be made n part of the
revenue reduction bill in the Senate.
CONFERENCE WITH THE PRESI-
DENT.
The committee later held a confer
ence with the President lasting nearly
an hour. The committee and the Pres-
dent agreed on the desirablity of the
reduction or abolition of the war taxes
where they proved annoying and irri-
tating to the interests involved, and
yet have not produced very much rev.
enue. The President believes the sur
plus in the treasury is accommodating
too rapidly and that conservative re-
auctions may be made safely or the
taxes entirely removed in some in
stances. The Republican members be-
lieve they will be able to agree in q
very few days on the general line of
changes to be made.