The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-10
WANT 4 FURTHER CUT.
Brewers Still Think Lager Beer Is
Taxed Too High.

Taxed Too High
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9-The programme
in the House for the coming week contem-
plates consideration and passage OF the
legislative. executive and judicial appro-
priation bill and the bill for the reduction
of the war revenue taxes Wednesday the
exercises I'm connection with the centennial
celebration Of the removal of the seat of
government to Washington will be held in
the House. The legislative appropriation
bill is not expected TO occupy more than
two days at most, probably only one, and
the leaders expect the remainder of the
week win suffice TO pass the war revenue
reduction act 1t is probable that special
interests which do not receive the consd-
Grafton in the bill which they think they
are entitled to will attempt TO amend it.
This is especially true of the brewing in
terests, which hope to secure a further re-
duction of the tax on beer from $1.6O bar
rel, as fixed by the committee, to s135 a
barrel, plan having been organized by
which these interests believe they can ac-
complish their purpose. In order 10 secure
this reduction, which will amount to about
s7oO0.0OO. that amount of revenue must be
ing for further reduction on beer will ad-
vocate the retention Of the tax on bank
checks and discounts, which amounts TO
about the same sum. IL is understood thac
many of the larger banks are not opposed
TO the retention of this tax on the ground
that il reduces the number of small checks
presented for payment, and thus reduces
the cost of the clerical force in the banks
Most of the Republican members or the
ways and means committee, however, do
not believe a successful fight can ne waged
against any feature of the committees bill.
The Senate will continue TO give its at
tention to the Hay-Pauncefote treaty and
the ship subsidy bill during the present
week, taking first one and then the other,
as may suit the convenience of those who
may wish to speak on the two measures
During the last session of Congress the
Nicaraguan canal bill was made the special
order of business for Monday next. but the
establishment of the ship bill as the regular
order will have the effect of displacing the
canal bill, preference being given under the
Senate rules TO regular order over
special order. 1t is understood that Senator
Morgan, who has charge of the canal bill
will not press that measure until the treaty
for the abrogation of the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty is disposed OF. On this account the
friends of the ship bill do not apprehend
that he will make any opposition 10 the
continuance of consideration of that meas
ure. He has. indeed, said that he would
be content to allow his bill to follow closely
in the wake of the ship bill.
Three or four set speeches are promised
in opposition to the subsidy bill, and it is
expected that most If not all of those al
ready in sight will be made during this
week. Among those who PROBABLY will
speak on the subject are Senators Clay
Vest and Berry, all of whom oppose the
bill. Senator Vest is an especial advocate
OF free ships. There are differences of
opinion as to what effect the taking of
vote on the fortiication amendment TO the
treaty will have upon the time of disposrng
of that instrument, but a majority of the
senator's express the opinion that the vote
on the treaty itself will follow very soon
after the vote upon the amendment. The
indications are that the amendment will
be adopted. and as thus amended the treaty
viii be ratified. Opponents or the treaty
will offer other amendments. but they do
not count upon having them favorably
acted upon. The Senate will not sit
Wednesday on account Of the centennial