New-York tribune., 1900-12-15
FIGHT OVER BEER TAX.
TITS KEPT AT THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE FIGURES.
THE COMMITTEE. HOWEVER. sUsTAINs
TWO DEFEATS - EMPRESS COM
PANIEs TO, PAY TAN.
IRY TELEGRAPH 10 TIE rnrnr-Nr

lBN TELEGRAPH TO TRIBINFl
Washington. Dec. 1.-THE House failes "a
complete its consideration OF the War Tax Re-
duction bin this afternoon and the final vote
may not he reached until Monday. Fr7litless
efforts were made in Committee OF the Whole
to-day TO cut down the beer tax 10 a greater ex-
tent than was recommended by the ways and
Means Committee. the vote on the two amend
ments being overwhelmingly I'm favor Of main
tanning the rate Of 81 60. The only concession
made by the committee was the substitution Of
the straight 81 60 tax for 6he original proposition
~ s., with 20 per cent rebate AS predicted In
The Tribune ,ne bill will reach the senate with
estimated reduction Of S4o.oooooO and sub
stantially as introduced by Chairman Payne
The Ways and Means Committee however
sustained two signal defeats. In connection with
the beer tax Mr.. Payne offered an amendment
in the language Of the bin passed by the House
last session. designed to abolish the use Of small
beer packages, one-sixth and one-eighth barrels
hut il was defeated by S5 to %, after charges
that it's purpose was 10 crush out the small
brewers. Another defeat occurred in connection
with an amendment offered by Henry c. Smith,
- Michigan. The bill abolished the one-cent
stamp tax on express receipts and telegraph
messages. but retained the tax on railroad and
steamship freight receipts Mr. Smiths amend
ment restored the tax on express receipts and
the company instead of the shipper to pay the
tax. The amendment precipitated lively de-
bate in the course Of which Mr.. Smith made a
personal allusion 10 United States Senator who
Is connected with one OF the express companies
M Payne vigorously fought the amendment.
but II was carried, l23 10 log. The text of the
amendment is follows:
EXPRESS AND FREIGHT-It shall be the duty
Of every railroad or steamboat company carrier.
express company or corporal ton. or person whose
frst fifteen days OF each month a sworn statement
70 the Collector OF Internal Revenue IN each OF
shipments received for carriage and transports-
ton whether IN bulk or In boxes. bales packages.
bundles or not so inclosed or Included for which
any charges whatsoever have been made. and for
each of such shipments received for carriage and
transportation the said railroad or steamboat COM
person whose occupation II is 10 act such. shall
pay a tax OF one cent on bundles packages OF
al the time OF shipment.
Mr.. Smith charged that the express companies
had been unpatriotic in refusing TO bear their
share Of the war taxes by compelling their Gus
toners 10 pay the tax. he made a direct refer
ence 10 a Senator Of the United States who is
connected with one OF the express companies.
and declared that when the law was passed that
Senator had advised the company not 10 pay the
tax.
Mr. Payne replied that the express companies
had found that they could not pay the enormous
tax and live. II was different. he said. with
railroads. which shipped in large quantities.
The Ways and Means Committee had carefully
considered the subject, and had decided 10 abol-
ish the tax express receipts and telegraph
messages. He expressed regret that Mr.. Smith
had seen Mt 10 make q personal attack on
Senator OF the United States.
Without completing the bill, the House at 5:25
T. adjourned.