The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-11-24
QUESTION OF TAXES.
Topic for Discussion by House Ways
and Means Committee.
Republican Members Hold a Confer-
ence with the President, Who
FavOrs Conservative Re.
ductiOn In the War Tax.

Washington, Nov. 21.-Tne republic
an members of the ways and means
committee met Tuesday to consider
measure for the reduction of the war
revenue tax. The most important ac-
tion taken was decision not to re-
move the tax of ten cents pound on
tea. The committee will not take up
or disturb the tariff on imports, as
the members claim it would open up
the whole subject of tariff revision.
No decision was reached as to the
amount OF the reduction that is to be
made, and Secretary Gage and Com
missioner of Internal Revenue Wilson
will be heard on the subject. The
secretary appeared before the COM
mittee Tuesday.
Question of Reduction.
Secretary Gage and Commissioner
Wilson. of the internal revenue bu-
rcau. We're before the committee for
some time during the afternoon. The
secretary told the committee that in
his opinion there might be reduc-
tion in revenues of $30,000,0O0. The
WAR revenue act now raises about
800 100000. Commissioner Wilson
went over the schedules with the
members of the committee, and both
he and Secretary Gage were ques-
toned as to where reductions could
be made to the best advantage from
the treasury point of view. A consid-
cradle part of the discussion was con-
fined to schedule B, which taxes med
icinal and ropretaryarticlesa and prep
arations. pcrfumery, cosmetics. chew
ing gum, wines. etc. There WAS also
discussion of the stamp taxes. The
discussion Indicated that the commits
tee favored quite a change in this fea-
ture of the law and reductions wher-
ever possible. The committee also
desires to eliminate the taxes on con-
veyances, of which there has been a
great deal of complaint. 1t can be
stated that in a general way it will be
the aim of the committee to abolish
the most burtlensome taxes and to
grant relief from stamp taxes us far
rs possible. The committee late in
the day called on the president to OBJ
tain his views on the proposed reduc-
ton. The committee will meet again
to-day.
Confer with the President.
The committees conference with
the president lasted less than an hour.
The committee and the president
agreed OH the dcsirability of the re-
duction or abolition of the war taxes
where they have proved annoying and
irritating 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.
No Decrease Likely.
Washington, Nov. 21.-Representa-
tive Hopkins, of Illinois, chairman of
the house committee on census, which
committee will have charge of the leg
islation affecting the apportionment
of the house. expresses the opinion
that there will be no decided effort
during the next session of congress
to decrease the congressional repre-.
sentation of the southern states be.
cause of the Acknowledgement of ne
groes. He said that in all probability
the subject would be discussed. but
he thought that upon the whole the
committee would favor the plan OF
basing representation upon the num-