The Portland daily press., 1900-11-21
Secretary G1ge Says Revenues May
Be- Cut S3O,OOO.OOO.
Most Burdensome Taxes
To Be Removed.
Stamp Tax To Be Lightcned
Where Possible.

washington. November 20.--The Re
publican members OF the ways and means
committee met today to consider meas
ure for the reduction of the war revenue
tax, The most important action taken
was a decision not to remove the tax OF
ten cents pound on tea. The committee
will not take up or disturb the tariu
on imports,as the members claim, 1t
would open the whole subject of tariff
revision.
The committee will not grant any hears
ings while framing the bill as full hear
inRs were given during the last session oil
Congress and since tne briefs and state
ments of various interests have been re-
ceiyed. Parties who are interested,
however, can file briefs or statements
with the committee.
No decision was reached as to the
amount OF the reduction and Secretary
Gage and Commissioner of Internal
Revenue Wilson viii be heard on this
subject.
The session was devoted mainly to a
general discussion and no agreement has
been reached upon any of the sched-
ules.
Secretary Gage and Commissioner VII.
son OF the internal revenue bureau were
before the committee for some Tina DUR
ing the afternoon. The secretary told the
committee that in his opinion there might
lie a reduction in revenues OF $50, 600 0JO.
Ths war revenus act now raises about
slOO, OO9, 600. Commissioner Wilson went
over the schedules with the members OF
the committee and both he and Secretary
Gage were questioned as to where reduc.
lions could be mads to the best adyant-
age from the treasury view point.
A considerable part Of the discussion
was confined to schedule b, which taxes
medical and proprietaryEarticles and pre-
parations, perfumes, cosmetics, chewi ng
gum, wines, etc.
There was also discussion of stamp
taxes. The discussion indicated that the
COMMITTEES favored quits change in this
feature of the law and reductions wher.
ever possible. The COMMITTEES also desires
to eliminate tina taxes o coveyanoes OF
which there has bean a great deal of COM
plant. 1t can be stated that in general
way IL will be the aim OF the committee
to abolish the most buroensome taxes
and to grant relief from stamp taxes as
far as possible.
The comInittee late in the day called
upon the President to obtain his views
on the proposed reduction. The COM
mittee will meet again tomorrow.
After there has been general inter.
change of opinio on the proposed reduc-
ton, 1t is quite likely that sub-com-
mittee will be- appointed to draft meas
ure,
Ii is not believed the bill can he prepar.
ed and ready for the full committee until
tine 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
oleomargarine bill now on the House
calendar and made a special order for
December 8, might be made part OF the
war revenue reduction bill.
Representative Tawney, the father of
the olsomargarine hill, when asked
about this, said that the olsomargarine
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 an unusual delay. In such
case he intimate1 that the oleomargarine
bill might be made part Of the revenue
reduction bill in the Senate.
y The committees conference with the
President lasted less than an hour. The
committee and the President agreed on
the desirabilitS of the reduction or aboli-
tion OF the war taxes. where they have
proved annoying and Irritating to the In
tsrests involved and yet have not pro-