The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-21
Duty of 10 Cents a Pound on Ten VIII
Remain, and There VIII BE No
Tariff Revision.
REINFORCEMENT PROBABLE
COMMITTEE ON CENSUS TO INTRO
DUCE A RILL NEXT MONTH.
Representative Hopkins Thinks the
Ratio VIII BE One Member to
Every 19S.O00 Inhabitants.

lican members of the ways and means
committee met to-day to discuss measure
for the reduction of the war revenue tax.
The most important decision was not 10
reduce the tax of 10 cents pound on tea.
The committee will not take up or disturb
the tariff on imports, as the members
claim it would open up the whole supJect
of tariff revision. The committee Will not
grant hearings while framing the Dill, as
full hearings were given during the last
session of Congress. and since then priets
and statements of various interests nave
been received. Parties who are interested,
however can file briefs or statements with
the committee.
Secretary Gage and Commissioner Will
son, of the Internal Revenue Bureau, were
before the committee for some time during
the afternoon. The secretary told the COM
mittee that in his opinion there might be
a reduction in revenues of 5000 200. The
war revenue act now raises about 100000
00O Commissioner Wilson went over the
schedules with the members of the COM
mittee and both he and Secretary Gage
were questioned as to where reductions
could be made to the best advantage from
the treasury viewpoint
"A cOnSlueTdDle part VI Tie uiSCusSioH WoS
confined to Schedule b, which taxes medici-
nal and proprietary articles and prepara-
lions. perfumery. cosmetics chewing gum,
wines, etc. There were also discussions 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 de-
sires to eliminate the taxes on convey
ances, 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 committee to abo.-
ish the most burdensome taxes and to
grant relief from taxes as 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 tomorrow.
After there has been a general inter-
change Of opinion on the proposed reduc-
ton it is quite likely that subcommittee
will be appointed to draft a measure. 1t is
not believed the bill can be prepared and
ready for the full committee until the ses-
sion begins. The measure, after it is agreed
upon by the Republicans, will be submit
tee to the Democrats of the committee
margarine bill now on the House calendar
and made a special order for Dec. G. might
be made part of the war revenue reduc-
ton bill. Representative Tawney. the faith
err of the oleomargarine BILL when asked
about this said the oleomargarine bill
would be passed by the House early in the
session, so that an opportunity would be
given to ascertain IL there was a DISPOSE
ton to defeat the measure in the Senate
by any unusual delay. In such case he init
mated the oleomargarine bill might be
made a part of the revenue reduction bill
in the Senate.
The committees conference with the
President lasted less than an hour The
committee and the President agreed on the
desirability of the reduction or abolition of
the war taxes where they have proved an
noying and irritating to the interests in
vowed and yet have not produced very
much revenue. The President believes the
surplus in the treasury is accommodating too
rapidly and that conservative reductions
may be made safely or the taxes entirely
removed in some cases. The Republican
members believe they will be able to agree
In very few days on the general line of
changes to be made.
Representative Hopkins, OF Chicago,
chairman of the House committee on GEN.
sus, which committee will have charge of
the legislation affecting the apportionment
of the House. to-day expressed the opinion
that there would be no decided effort dur
ing the next session of Congress to de-
crease the congressional representation of
the Southern States because of the dis
reimbursement of negroes He said that in
all probability the subject would be dis
cussed. but he thought that on the whole
the committee would favor the plan of
basing representation upon the number of
inhabitants.
Discussing the general subject of reap
portionment Mr.. Hopkins said: '.The COM
mittee on census will meet during the first
week of the session. to frame bill pro-
viding for reapportionment. 1 think that a
proposition will be adopted which would in
crease the present membership Of the
House. 1t has been suggested that we au-
thorize one member for every $4,000 in
habitants. That seems to be the ratio that
is in general favor among members OF the
committee. This proposition would entail
an increased membership of from fifteen to
twenty members According to calculations
have made this reapportionment would
add members TO the House from New York
and Illinois. and perhaps other States.
States like Nebraska and Maine might lose
members by the proposed law Some OF the
Southern States might also suffer from the
proportion agreed upon. although to what
extent cannot now be ascertained.'
= {
Commissioners Powderly. OF the Immi-
grafton Bureau. utll gtvs hserins shout