Washington sentinel., 1900-12-08
One para
MilI Congress graph OF the
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reduction. The President does not
aovise specifically that the beer
tax shall be reduced; on the con-
trary, he suggests that the Limit OF
reduction shall be $50, 900, ,ooo' a
figure that. if adhered to, and no
change in the articles proposed by
the Ways and Means Committee
is made, iorbids the hope Of relief
to brewers. He also asks that the
legacy tax on bequests for public
uses oil a literary, educational or
charitable character shall be re-
pealed, which, If done, will de-
crease 10 that extent the chances
of having beer included in the bill.
Thus far the message holds no
hope for brewers.
There is hope, however, in thai
part of this paragraph wherein the
President says that reduction
should be secured by the remis-
sion of those taxes which expert
ence has shown to be the most
6UrdeNSoOEe to the Industries Of the
people,"
Heretofore the contention has
been on the part OF the Ways and
Means Committee that remission
should apply TO those taxes which
caused inconvenience and were
vexatious rather than buTdensome.
Under this category were included
express and TELEGRAM taxes, etc,
which undoubtedly were vexatious
and annoying, considering the
labor expended and the small in
come derived in return, but which
no one contended were hampering
business to the point OF destruc.
ton.
The suggestion Of the President
now offers to Congress a new line
OF investigation, and directly, we
should say, calls their attention to
the necessity of finding out
whether any tax is "burdensome to
the industry" and if any such is
found pleads for the relief ot that
industry. This is the way it looks
to US, and we hope it will be fol-
lowed.
The Presidents eyes seem to
have been opened by the statement
of their case made last week by the
Committee Of the Board of Trus-
tees Of the United States Brewers
Association which called upon
him at the White House. That
statement, which was published
also IN lull in the SENTINEL oi last
week, made plain t. him What had
previously been communicated to
the committees of Congress, but
which, up to that time, seemed to
have had but little effect. The
ltiplicity Of interests demand
ing large appropriations had so
clouded the vision OF the Congress
sional Committees that they could
only see in the brewing industry
source from which immediate and
large sums could be obtained for
their urgent needs. They failed TO
see what It was costing brewers to
maintain the tax and how the drain
u pom their resources was driving
men out OF business, reducing to
the verge OF failure those who still
persevered, and had resulted in
decreasing consumption the past
year by 900, 900 barrels. All this
was made plain to the President
by the brewers committee, who
had timed their visit to nicely
and found him IN the humor TO
give consideration to their appeal
and to weigh the arguments sub
mitted to him.
Mr.. McKinley's words have had
the effect Of bringing about re-
consideration Of the beer tax ques-
ton by the Congressional commit
tee. That the tax is "burdensome
to the industry" IS what the brew
ers have always claimed and is the
sole ground on which they seek
relief. Investigation will prove it,
and brewers invite the investiga-
tion. Brewers claim
THAT the Spanish war tax is
a double tax, as their business had
already been paying a war tax oi
81. 90 per barrel since 1869.
at exacred-4o per per cent.
OF the selling price OF their product
-Sa 90 out of IS. .oo-a levy which
made production a matter OF loss
from its imposition.
3-It has resulted, by closing
and consolidating establishments
in the endeavor TO reduce expense:
and keep their heads above water
in the loss Of employment and the
consequent loss Of wages to thou
sands of employees.
4-That a decreased consump
tion has necessitated, OF course
decreased production, and thi.