Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-21
DISCUSSING PLANS FOR
REDUCING WAR TAXES.
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND
MEANS IN SESSION.
MAY REMOVE THE STAMP TAXES
SECRETARY GAGE THINKS A CUT
OF THIRTY MILLION COULD
BE STOOD.

WASHINGTON. November 20.-The
Republican members of the ways and
means committee met to-day to con-
slider measure for the reduction Of
the war revenue tax. The most i'm
portant action taken was a decision
not to remove the tax of ten cents a
pound on tea. The committee will
not take up or disturb the tariff on i'm
ports, as the members claim it 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 in
teresrs have been received. Parties
who are interested however, can file
briefs or statements with the commit
tee.
Secretary Gage and Commissioner
Wilson, Of the internal revenue bureau,
were before the committee for some
time during the afternoon. The sec
rotary told the committee that In his
opinion there might be a reduction in
revenues of s30,000,000. The war rev.
enue act now raises about 500 900, 600.
Commissioner Wilson went over the
schedules with the members of the
committee. and both he and Secretary
Gage were questioned as to where re-
auctions could be made to the best adj
vantage from the treasury viewpoint.
A considerable part of the discussion
was confined to schedule B, which
taxes medicinal and proprietary articles
and preparations, perfumery, cos
metics. chewing gum, wines, etc.
There was also 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 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 commit
tee to abolish the most burdensome
taxes and to grant relief from stamp
taxes as far as possible
The committee, late in the day, call
ed on the President TO obtain his views
on the proposed reduction. The COM
| mittee will meet again tomorrow.
After there has been a general inter-
change of opinion on the proposed re-
duction, it is quite likely that sub
committee will be appointed to draft
measure.
1t is not believed the bill can be pre-
pared and ready for the full commit
tee until the session begins. The mea-
sure, after it is agreed upon by the
Republicans will be submitted to the
Democrats of the committee.
Suggestion has been made that the
oleomargarine bill now on the public
| calendar and made a special order for
December 9Th, might be made part oil
the war revenue reduction bill Repre-
| sentative TaWny the father of tn oleo-
margarine bill, when asked about this
said that the oleomargarine bill would
be passed by the House early in the
session, so that an opportunity would
be given to ascertain if there was a
disposition to defeat the measure in
the Senate by the unusual delay. In
such case, he intimated that the oleo-
margarine bill might be made a part
Of the revenue reduction bill in the SEN
| ate.