The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-18
WEDNESDAY. APRIL Is. 1909.
The War Taxes

In spite Of the small encouragement ex-
tended TO anyone but trust representa-
tives to seek favors at the hands Of The
present Congress. we are glad TO see
that at least one non-trust organization
Of business men has had the courage 20
present itself and its claims. a strong dele
gstion from the Retail Druggists National
Association is in the city for the purpose
OF demanding the abolition of war taxes
on proprietary medicines and toilet arti-
cles
The grievance of the people represented
BY this delegation is a biting one. As enc
OF the visitors explains. manufacturing
druggist in the East who produces oP-
ulsr preparation. decided TO bear the war
tax and not 10 raise the price Of his go ds
10 customers. thinking that the Gov
elumental exaction would be but temper
airy. As a result of business activity dCe
to the war. the cost OF every ingredient
used in manufacturing tie article referred
TO was greatly enhanced, until now the
tax smounts TO five per cent OF the
gross trade ard thirty per cent on the pro-
1t. The war burden upon two selected in
terests-medicinai preparations and toilet
zrticles-produces excess revenue amoint-
ing to about four million dollars. This
is not a great sum comparatively con-
sidered. II is rot as much as the monthly
income OF some Of the individual pluto
Gratis among whom the trust Administa-
ton and Congressional majority purpose
to divide ninety million dollars of ship
subsidy loot. Bat, when distributed amcng
a class Of retail traders. whose sales ard
profits are small compared with the sto ks
they have to carry, it amounts TO oppres-
sion enough. as members Of the druggists
delegation assert, to drive many worthy
pharmacists into bankruptcy.
We are not so sangulne as to think that
such a consideration will move the trust
managers on Capitol Hill. They might be
willing enough to release the grasp Of the
Administration bank on a little matter Of
four million dollars. It has in sight now
an idle surplus of seventy millions which
by next year will run up to an hundred and
twenty-five or thirty millions. The insig-
nifcant deduction necessary to placate the
spothecaries could not seriously affect the
volume Of free loan government money,
after Congress adjourns. But the leaders
and manipulators Of the Administration
financial combination will certainly think
twice before opening the door to taxpayers
raids on the surplus generally. Once allow
relief to the druggists. and the telegraph
and express companies would be clamoring
10 have the stamp tax taken of from their
business. The brewers and tobacco dealers
would be crying for justice, and the devil
would be to pay all around the lot
We sympathize with the medicinal and
toilet sufferers. We hope they may have
a pleasant time in Washington, because
that is about all the run they are likely TO
get for their money. II they DO not under
stand il now. they viii learn before leaving
that there is a potent element Of political
policy involved in gathering all the war
taxes possible and as fast as possible. Be
tween now and November it may be desira-
BE for the joint high combination in power
70 get up a Bryan scare panic, in which
case it would be necessary to have at least
hundred millions handy for the support
NJ fbn market %