The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-04-08
WAR TAX SCARES THIN
WOULD LIKE TO REDUCE THE
BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS
ALONG SOME LINES
SOCIAL WASHINGTON JARREn
Miss Margaret Astor ChanIer's suG-
sestiOn, While Causing Some
observation-disclosures, Has
Set People Thinking.

WASHINGTON. April 7.-(special.) j.
The Washington correspondent of this
paper stated more than a month ago that
there was possibility that the wal rev.
| enue taxes would be reduced during the
remaining days of this session or in the
| early part Of the session beginning
next December. Since that time consid-
cradle discussion has ensued between
| the Republican leaders in both houses
regarding the advisability of taking some
action Of this kind, before adjournment.
as 1t appears that the growing surplus
In the treasury and the apparent per-
manency OF an excess Of receipts over
expenditures are giving the treasury Of
hcla1s considerable worry and they ara
just now considering how the revenue
laws can be modified so as to lower taxa
ton without endangering the necessary
income.
Mr.. Russell is at present taking the
lead In the house In urging action at this
session. Mr.. Russell IS a member of the
ways and means committee, and other
members Of this committee agree with
him that something should be done before
the adjournment Of this session for the
summer. Chairman Payne, Of this com
m1ttee, however, has so far made no
move and is understood to question the
necessity of changing the revenue laws
at this time. The feeling among the ma
1ority of the Republicans is explained
pretty thoroughly, however, by a promi-
nent member Of this congress who says:
The great difficulty presented Is to de-
termine just what taxes should be STOP
ped 1t is estimated that the total rev.
enuc from all stamp taxes is 81, 0OO, 900 an
nually. 1t. is questionable whether that
whole amount should be abolished
WOULD RETAIN SOME.
studying the situation who believe that
some Of these stamp taxes should be re-
tanned for future protection. With our
increasing facilities for meeting our own
wants, our imports will likely decrease
and the receipts from tariff duties grow
less, SO that 1t is wise to have some adj
-dttional method Of raising internal rev-
enue. TO many the stamps on legal and
commercial paper is a simple and Just
form of taxation, and I believe there
would be strong opposition to its abolish
ment at the present time
There is already demand from drug
gists and retailers of the proprietary
medicines that the tax be taken off these
| articles. While do not believe that the
poor man or woman who buys these med
icines pays the tax, still those articles
present one item of reduction. The rev.
enue from the stamps on proprietary
medicines and other articles In the drug
! line Is, 1 believe, something like S4.O00.
Then there is a good deal of pressure be-
ing brought to bear for the adjustment
Of the tax on kilograms and express re-
ceipts. This is one Of the most trouble
some forms Of the war revenue tax
Every person who sends telegram or
express package pays the tax and its
elimination would mean relief probably to
more individuals than that of any other
tax levied"
1t Is probable that the treasury Of
f1cials and some of the ways and means
committee soon will get together and de-
eide what is best to be done"
WOULD CHANGE ETIQUETTE.
Miss Margaret Astor Chanler has
| stirred up considerable trouble In con-
gressional society circles this winter.
Miss Chanler, it will be recalled, is the
| sister of Col. Chaner, one Of the repre-
sentatives from the state of New York
| Her peculiar views have astonished some
| of the society people, but that they are
| being given consideration is said to be-
| fact.
Miss Chanler presides over the house
| hold Of her bachelor brother and during
| this winter has of necessity been taking
q leading part in fashionable official life.
| At recent reception at her home Miss
! Chanler is said to have astounded her
| callers, many of them wives of repre-
| sentatives, by suggesting that 1t would
simplify matters If the congressional
delegation of each state would hold q
| joint reception once q month instead of
weekly in their individual capacity. ADJ
dressing her remarks in particular to the
| wife of q Massachusetts congressman,
! Miss Chanler explained;
"Of course you have no personal in
| terest IN me, and just call because eti-
quette requires you as 1t requires you to
household. Now, if the wives OF the
Massachusetts delegation, of the New
York delegation and Of every other dele.
cation would hire a hall, provide music
and refreshments and receive the general
public as we'll as official society, how
much simpler 1t would be and what q
labor-saving reform would result Sew
eral could choose the same Tuesday, and
in the course Of q month all would have
performed their duties to the public
Another thing would be accomplished by
this; we could hold our receptions at
home and be assured that only friends
would call, instead of the rabble which
fills our parlors."
Miss CHAMBERS frankness made her
callers feel somewhat uncomfortable as
none of them were her personal friends
Nevertheless her suggestion has been
made the subject of much comment.