The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-11-21
WAR REVENUES
TO BE REDUCED.
Ways and Means Committee
Considering Thirty Per
Cent Cut.

Cent Cut.
Washington, Nov 20.-Tbe Re
publican members of the ways and
means committee met today to con-
slider measure for the reduction o.
the war revenue tax. The most i'm
portant action taken was decision
not to remove the tax of 10 cents g
pound on tea The committee will
not take up or disturb the tariff on
imports, as the members claim il
would open up the whole subject Of
tariff revision.
The committee will not grant any
hearings while framing the bill, as
full hearings were given during the
last session of congress, and since
then briefs and statements of various
interests have been received Par
ties who are interested, however, can
file briefs or statements with the
committee.
Secretary Gage aud Commissioners
Wilson of the internal revenue
bureau were before the committee
for sone time during the afternoon.
The Secretary told the committee
that in his opinion there might be a
reduction in revenues of $50. 900, 600.
The war revenue act pow raises about
S100,000,000 Commissioners Will
son 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 view point.
A considerable part of the discus
sion was confined to the schedule
which taxes medicinal and proprie-
tary articles and perfumery, cosme
tics, chewing gum, wines, etc.
There was also a discussion of stamp
taxes The discussion indicated
that the committee favored quite a
change in this feature of the law
and reductions wherever possible.
The committee also desires to elimi
nate the taxes on conveyance, OF
which there has been a great deal OF
complaint
1t can Be stated that in general
way it will be the aim of the commit
tee to abolish the most burdeneome
faxes and to grant relief from stamp
taxes as far as possible
The committee late in the day
called on tne president to obtain bis
views on the proposed reduction.
The committee will meet again to-
After there has been a general
interchange of opinion on the pro
posed reduction it is quite likely that
a sub committee will be appointed
to draft measure.
It is not believed the bill can be
prepared aud ready for the full com
mittee until the session begins.
The measure. after it is agreed
upon by the Republicans, will be
submitted to the Democrats OF the
committee Suggestion has been
made that the oleomargarlne bill now
on the house calendar and made
special order for December 5ib,
nigh. be made part OF the war re
venue bill. Representative Tawney,
the father of the oleomargarine bill,
when asked about this, said that the
o;eomargarine bill would be passed
by the house early in the session so
that an opportunity will be given to
ascertain if there was disposition
to defeat the measure in the senate
by any unusual delay In such a
case be intimated that the oleomar-
garine bill might be made part OF
the revenue reduction bill in the
senate
The committee later held confer
ence with the president lasting an
hour. The committee aud the presl-
dent agreed on the deslrablilty OF the
,od,ct;on or abolition Of the war