The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1900-11-23
THE WAR REVENUES
WILL BE REDUCED,
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE CON-
SIDERING TuIRTY PER CENT CUT.
Tho Stamp Taxes May Como or As VOL ma
Those on Medicinal and Proprietary
hrtlcIcs, But No uscisfun Yet
Kenched,

Washington, Nov. 20.-The Ro-
publican members Of the WAYS and
means committee mot today to con
slider measure for the reduction of
the war revenue tax. The most i'm
portant action taken was decision
not to remove tho tax of 10 cents a
pound on tea. The committee will
not take up or disturb the tariff on
imports, rs the members claim it
would open up tho whole subject of
tariff revision.
Tho committee will not grant any
hearings while framing tho bill, as
full hearings were given during the
last session of Congress, and since
then briefs and statements of various
interests have been received. Parties
who are interested, however, can file
briefs or statements with the COM
mittee.
Secretary Gage and Commissioner
Wilson of the Internal revenue bu-
reau were before the committee for
some timo during the afternoon. The
secretary told the committee that in
his opinion there might be a reduc-
ton in revenues of $50, 100000 Tho
war revenue act now raises about
SlOO,OOO,O 600. Commissioner Wilson
went over the schedules with the
members Of the committee and both
ne 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, cosmet-
les, chewing gum, wines, etc. There
was also a discussion of stamp taxes.
The discussi, indicated that the
committee favored quite change in
this feature Of the law and reduc-
tions wherever possible. The com-
mittee also desires to eliminate the
taxes on conveyance, Of which there
has been q great deal Of com plant.
1t can be stated that III general
way it will be the aim of the com
mittee to abolish the most burden
some taxes and to grant relief from
stamp taxes rs far as possible.
The committee late in the day
called on the President to obtain his
views on the proposed reduction.
The committee will meet again to-
morrow.
After there has been a general in
terchange Of opinion on the proposed
reduction it is quite likely that a
sub committee will be appointed to
draft measure.
1t is not believed the bill can be
prepared and ready for the full
committee 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 olemargarinc bill now on
the house calendar and made a spe-
cial order for December 9th, might
be made a part of the war revenue
bill. Representative Tawney, the
father of the oleomargarine bill,
when asked about this, said that the
eleomargarlne 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
case he intimated that the oleomar-
garlhe Dill might he made part of
Of the revenue reduction bill in the
senate.
The committee later held q con-
ference with the President agreed on
the desirability Of the reduction or
abolition of the war taxes where they
proved annoying and irritating to
the interests involved and yet have
not produced very much revenue.
The President believes the surplus
in the treasury is accumulating too
rapidly and that conservative .educ.
tion may be made safely or the
taxes entirely removed in some in.
stances. The Republican members
believe they will be able to agree in
n voru fow 1ovo IN tho ~..n...1 u.