Washington sentinel., 1900-12-22
Brewers, Attention!
PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION,

PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION,
We have carefully read the new
revenue bill which passed the
House OF Representatives the other
day, and we find that it provides
for the reduction OF the beer tax
to $500 per barrel but wipes out
the IA per cent rebate. We lave
also discovered a serious mistake
in this bill which is liable to cause
the brewers much trouble and also
expense. The error will be found
in section on page ., which pro-
vides for the following amendment
proposed by Congressman Corliss,
namely, That in addition to the
present regulations, all stamps
used for denoting the tax imposed
by this section shall be cancelled
by perforations, to be made in
such manner as shall be prescribed
bv the Commissioner OF Internal
Revenue"
We have no objection to the
perforation Of all revenue stamps;
but the trouble here is that this
provision still retains in force the
old law which provides tor the cen
collation. OF all revenue stamps by
having the name OF the firm and
the date Of cancellation written or
imprinted thereon. AS the bill now
stands it will be obligatory on the
Fart ci every brewer to not only
cancel his revenue stamps by writ
ing or imprinting, but also by per.
foration, which is absolutely un-
necessary. Fornexample, We are
informed by The Internal Revenue
Department that the Pabst Brew
ing Co., Of Milwaukee, received
special permission from the Inter
nal Revenue Department TO per-
forate its stamps instead Of i'm
printing or writing their name and
date OF cancellation upon them.
This company, Copether with all
other brewers, will, il this bill
passes in its present condition, be
compelled not only to perfora,e
its name. ETC., but also write and
imprint in addition the name, etc,
upon every Internal Revenue
stamp used.
Suspecting that there might be
back Of Congressman Corliss's
amendment a scheme to introduce
patent stamp destroyer, such as
had been attempted some years
ago, (Which probably many Of the
older brewers will yet remember),
we forthwith went to the Acting
Internal Revenue Commissioner,
Mr.. Miller. Mr.. Miller received
US very courteously and stated he
had not as yet had his attention
called to this item II the bill. He
thanked US tor having called his
personal attention to this amend
ment and agreed with Us that it
was a serious mistake which
should be corrected in the Senate
Finance Committee before the bill
became a law. He ordered one Of
his assistants also to examine all
the facts in this case with US and
we found that it was not a stamp
destroyer job but merely a mistake
on the part Of the clerk who drew
the amendment Tor Mr. Corliss, in
serting the words "In addition"
(to the present regu ation). The
will lay the matter be-
fore the Senate Finance Commit
tee aud then prepare an amend
ment which we will submit to the
United States Brewers Associa-
ton.
We understand that the depart
ment will leave the question open,
until it shall be determined whether
or not it will be more prs ctIcal and |
acceptable 10 have the stamps can
celled by printing or writing, or |
by perloration. As the measure /
passed the Hou e cancellation by
writing or imprinting as we'll as
by perforation is requ red, which
we consider unnecessary. ]