The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-12-09
CONGRESS MAY raise ;
THE IMMIGRANT Tx
Suggestion to Do So
Meets With Gen
eral Favor.
PLAN TO REDUCE THE WAR TAXES
PRESENT TARIFF BILL WILL NOT
BE TAnPEREO WITH IN
ANY WAY.
Demands OF Nearly Every Depart
rent for Increased Appropria-
tiens Necessarily Call for Care
ful Consideration by Committee.
Special Correspondence

SptEthl 1DIArS ppAutuNt.l
WASHINGTON. d. C, Nov. 20
the republican members OF the ways
and means committee met in their
committee room to Oegin the pre-
liminary work OF reduction OF the war
taxes. the first conclusion reached
was that there should be no tamper-
ing with the Dingley bill II was de-
cided unanimously and without dis
cussion that It would not be wise to
attempt to alter any provisions OF
the general tariff act.
II was the opinion OF the committee
that no schedule was producing reye-
nue. in excess OF what should be ex-
pected OF IL. and that none was If
fording too high a degree OF protec-
ton.
Taking this position as the basis
for further consideration of the gen
eral question OF tax reduction. the
committee also concluded that il
would not be wise TO alter any OF
the customs provisions. The duty
on tea OF 10 cents per pound will not,
therefore. be disturbed.
Upon the question OF reduction oi
the war taxes the committee seemed
unanimous that there should be a "a
duction. II was held. however, that
progress in this direction should be
made slowly. and with due reference
10 the demands OF the government
service. That is TO say. that il should
first be determined by consultation
with the heads OF departments wheth-
er unusual increase may be expected
in the expenses OF the government
for the next fiscal year. and IL the
ordinary resources from customs Re
ceipts and internal revenue taxation
are likely TO suffer diminution from
any cause.
Revenue Conference.
Secretary Gage was asked to ap
pear before the committee to give
information upon subjects desired by
the members. The committee decid
ed IL would not be necessary TO hold
further hearings upon the subject OF
war tax reduction. All the testimony
upon the subject taken by the com.
mittee at the hearing last session has
been printed. and in addition briefs
have been filed by the brewers. cigar
makers. retail druggists, stock ex
change brokers and other special
interests demanding reductions.
The members OF the committee ex-
pect that they will be overwhelmei
with personal solicitations for their
aid in securing desired reductions
but will discourage the sending OF
delegations TO Washington TO make
formal representations
Il is said the republican members
OF the committee have no thorough
understanding OF the operations OF
the war revenue act, its effect upon
different branches OF trade. and that
their only difficulty win be to decide
who are the greatest sufferers from
the eNactions OF the war revenue act.
and who should first be relieved.
Members Of the committee are con-
WINGED that difficulty will be expert.
enced in making 8 heavy reduction.
for the reason that large increases
in the expenses of the government
seem inevitable. Every branch has
Increased its estimate for the next
fiscal year. and some OF them are for
expenditures which il will not be easy
10 avoid.
Naval Appropriations.
Representative Foss, who is acting
chairman OF the naval affairs com.
Inittee OF the house. has reached the
city and win commence work next
week upon the naval appropriation
bill. The act for the current year APP
propriated about se5.0oo coo. and the
secretary of the navy has asked for
sS7.0o0.000 for the next year. Mr..
Foss thinks there will certainly have
To be an increase Of over s65.oo0. eooO.
The army expenses are growing
rapidly. and il seems assured now
that the efficiency OF that branch Of
the military arm of the government
will be maintained az its present ef-
ficiency. which will entail added ex-
penditunes. growing out OF the in
creased cost OF all material used by
the army. The military operations
in the Philippines are expected TO
make heavier demands upon the war
department next year
A river and harbor bin will be pass
ed at this session. and whatever sum
il carries viii be In excess OF the an
nnal appropriations OF the current
year. Estimates OF the probable ag-
gregate of the bin range from $780,
ev0 900 10 $4,000. 900.
If the Nicaragua ship canal bin goes
through this session il win entail a
heavy charge upon the treasury. me
snip subsidy bin. if passed. wiz also