Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-11-23
T0CUT DOWN TAXES.
Ways and Means Committee Hold
Important Meeting.
WAR REVENUE UNDER DISCUSSION.
A Conference with the President,
Who Favors Conservative Re-
duction of Taxes Other
Capital Gossip.

Washington, Nov. 21.-The republic.
an members of the ways and means
committee met Tuesday to consider a
measure for the reduction of the war
revenue tax. The most important ac-
ton taken was a decision not to re-
move the tax of ten 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 subject of tariff revision.
No decision was reached as to the
amount of the reduction that is to be
made, and Secretary Gage and Com
missioner of Internal Revenue Wilson
will be heard on the subject. The
secretary appeared before the com
mittee Tuesday.
The session of the committee was
devoted mainly to a general discus
sion and no agreement has been
reached upon any of the schedules.
| Question of Reduction.
Secretary Gage and Commissioner
Wilson, of the internal revenue bu-
reau, were before the committee for
some time during the afternoon. The
secretary told the committee that in
his opinion there might be reduc-
ton in revenues of $3o.ooo,o00. The
war revenue act now raises about
500 100000. Commissioner Wilson
went over the schedules with the
members of the committee. and both
he and Secretary Gage were ques-
toned as to where reductions could
be made to the best advantage, from
the treasury point of view. A ccnsid-
cradle part of the discussion was con-
fined to schedule 3, which taxes med
ieiraland proprietary articles and prep
'arations, perfumery, cosmetics, chew
ing gum, wines, etc. There was also
discussion of the stamp taxes. The
discussion indicated that the commit
tee favored quite change in this fea-
ture of the law and reductions wher-
ever 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 general way it will be
the aim of the committee to abolish
the most burdensome taxes and to
grant relief from stamp taxes as far
as possible. The committee late in
the day called on the president to OBJ
tain his views on the proposed reduce
ton. The committee will meet again
to-day
Confer with the President,
The committees conference with
the president lasted less than an hour.
The committee and the president
g Graed~e the aasise.le;lst 8, "a 4l>s.
duction or abolition of the war taxes
where they have proved annoying and
Irritating to the interests involved and
yet have not produced very much rev.
enue. The president believes the sur
plus in the treasury is accommodating
too rapidly and that conservative re-
auctions may be made safely or the
taxes entirely removed in some in
stances.
No Decrease Likely,
Washington, Nov. 21.-Representa-
tive Hopkins, of Illinois, chairman of
the house committee on census, which
committee will have charge of the leg
islation affecting the apportionment
OF the house, expresses the opinion
that there will be no decided effort
during the next session of congress
to decrease the congressional repre-
sentation of the southern states be-
cause of the disfranchisement of ne
groes. He said that in all probability
the subject would be discussed. but
he thought that upon the whole the
committee would favor the plan of
basing representation upon the num-
Der of inhabitants.
The Reapportionment.
Discussing the general subject of
reapportionment, Mr.. Hopkins said:
THE committee on census Will meet dur
ing the f1rst week of the session to frame
Dlii providing Tor reapportionment
think that proposition will be adopted
which will increase the present member
snip OF the house. 1t has been suggested
that We authorize one member for every
$4,000 Inhabitants. That seems to be the
ratio that is in general favor among mem
pers OF the committee. This proposition
would entail an increased membership of
from 10 to 20 members. According to calcA-
lations 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
suHer from the proportion agreed upon,
although to what extent cannot now be as
certained."
To Remove Maine Wreck.
Washington, Nov. 21.-Commande
Lucien Young, captain of the port of
Havana. has called for proposals for
removing the wreck of the Maine
from the bottom of Havana harbor.
The bids will be opened December TX