The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-15
Mr. Gage and the War Taxes.

It looks as if the Secretary Of the
Treasury would have some difficulty in ex-
planning the discrepancy between his state
ment 10 the House Of Representatives,,
concerning the public revenue from war
taxes in 1899 and the statement Of the
Commissioner OF Internal Revenue. The
difference. amounting TO over fifty million
dollars. is too large TO appear accidental
by any conceivable possibility, and it is
not to be denied that great many people
are inclined TO accuse Mr.. Gage of a de-
lberate design TO mislead Congress and
the country in the connection In the
figures sent TO the House by the Secretary,
the items and amounts given by him
agree precisely with the same as stated
by the Commissioner. but the latter pre-
sents others which the former ignores.
They are: Increase on tobacco. Sli.262,-
6S5.27: increase on beer tax. 500. l29. 1871;
special taxes. s4.S74 620.21; total. S50.266.-
4427g. Thus. while Mr.. Gage is quoted
as asserting that the war taxes Of 1899
brought in only $45, 724. 5i0.s4, the Inter
nal Revenue Bureau places the receipts
from that source for the year named at
S95 $50 qS3.7S
Whatever may be the explanation offered
by MIR. McKinley's finance minister, the
public will be prone to think that the fact
itself has something TO do with the Ad-
ministration's desperate desire to keep the
war taxes intact until after the Presiden-
tial election, as a club over one Of the
great interests which pay toll. II will
be observed that the heaviest contrihu-
tors TO the war revenue are the brewers.
Last year they paid an excess oyer the
old rate amounting to So. l29. 1871 To
a considerable extent the brewers are as
ISOLATED with the German American ele-
ment which is in revolt against the Re
publican party and its policies, The ma
chine leaders believe that by promises Of
repeal at the next session. they can not
only secure heavy subscription to the
Republican corruption fund. but force this
important and influential industrial inter
est into working for Republican success
in the coming campaign. In any event,
the word has gone forth that there is TO
be no relief from war burdens until the
Presidency has been decided, and the
Administration is struggling in every way
It can contrive to create false impressions
as to the growth Of the Treasury surplus.
and its probable increase within the next
two years. The Treasury estimate Of The
increase Is that it will not be more than at
the rate Of ten million dollars a year.
Independent experts place it at twenty or
twenty-five millions.
II the official figures OF the Secretary
are liable to an error of fifty millions in
the receipts OF a single year. they are
discredited generally in relation TO the
entire subject. The American people
taxed themselves willingly and cheerfully
for the specific purpose Of supporting the
Government in war. The purpose has
been served. the Treasury surplus is grow
ing at a furious pace and the money II
represents is useless TO the Government,
except as a means OF tempting Congress
10 make extravagant appropriations and
to lend money without interest to the
STANDARD OIL bank. The excess taxes should
be removed. and at once in recognition of
a public right But they will not be. The
brewers first. will have to be squeezed
for the corruption fund.