Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-09
ABOLISH WAR TAXES
Treasury Department Will Not Ini-
tiate the Proposition.
OPPOSITION TO LBSSENING SURPLUS
Great National Works in Con-
temptation by Congress.
TERES STING COS SIP

1t was stated today in authoritative quar-
ters that the Treasury Department will not
initiate a proposition to abolish all the war
taxes along the lines proposed by some
prominent members Of the ways and means
committee. The Treasury Department. It is
said, Is not alarmed over the existence
Of a surplus some others.
The suggestion OF diminishing the surplus
to considerable extent is sure to meet
with opposition IN Congress il the express
sions of many senators and representatives
can be credited. There are a number Of
great national projects in contemplation
this session which will require large appro-
priations for the next few years, and the
men behind them do not view with favor
the depletion OF the revenues to such al
extent as would result from repeal lf tha
war taxes.
1t is declared in some quarters tina. all
this furry over internal revenue reduction
Is in the nature Of an attempted counter
march by the high protectionists 80 head
on the proposed revision OF tariff duties on
imported goods. The attitude OF some OF
the present advocates of revenue reduction
is contrasted with their course a ear ago
and comparisons drawn.
Some Interesting Gossip.
Some interesting gossip on this point is
going the rounds of congressional circles
tOudy. III hinges upon the 10 re-
duce the bee tax. that were partially sue
cessful last year. and which were never
abandoned. On the contrary. the campaign
in behalf of the beer brewers has continued
with increasing visor, and will reach its
height when Congress assemblies.
1t will be remembered that before Con-
gress met last December a subcommittee
of the House ways and means committee
sat in Washington drawing up a bill to
reduce the war taxes. which was intro
duced early in the session. Chairman
Payne was at the head OF the subcommit-
tee which included in It's number we'll
known high protectionists,
That bin, as introduced. did not provide
for reduction of the beer tax. 4 great cry
went up from the western members, who
Were pledged to secure reduction. After
considerable pickering within the party,
and after holding a caucus upon the subject.
the committees bill was revised and in
its new form embodied a partial reduction
Of the war tax on beer.
Mr.. Babcock OF Wisconsin was placed on
the committee on ways -and means. and
was one of the most strenuous advocates
of the beer tax reduction. He declared no
was not satisfied with the amount of the
reduction, and that he would renew the
fight this session for another cut.
Fire I'm the Rear.
The advocates.of the high protective tariff
laughed at the threats of the beer-reduction
men. But just before Congress adjourned
some one built a fire under the radical fac
tion of the ways and means committee.
The proposition, astounding to protection
lists, was made to reduce the tariff i'm
ports of manufactures in certain lines;
those it was claimed, which needed ex-
treme protection no longer
Mr.. Babcock was the author Of that bill,
the chairman of the republican congress
SIGNAL committee and the exponent Of re
publican principles in several successful
congressional campaigns which he had man.
aged.
All summer this has been talked about.
Friends OF the proposition Were raised up
I'm the west and prominent men IN Com
gress came forward to support the Bah
cock idea. The rrotectionists rallied their
forces to defend the onslaught of the tariff
revisers.
Countermarch of the Profcctfonfsts.
Then came Chairman Payne and his high
protection colleagues on the committee,
with the counter proposition to reduce the
war taxes. which OF necessity would in
clude further reduction OF the tax on beer,
if anything was reduced.
The whole situation is very much en-
tangled and a good deal of dust is being
kicked up. Mr.. Payne would reduce war
taxes TO keep down the surplus and avoid
touching the protective tariff to lower the
revenues. Mr.. Babcock would revise the
tariff in Difference to the sentiment or the
country ana 10 eNpdhu our IofelsH isau'.
He is in harmony with Mr.. Payne. how
ever, for war tax reduction, especially on
beer
The other factor in the situation is the
element in Congress which opposes any re-
duction of revenues Money is to be re-
quired for an isthmian canal, for ship sub
sides. for public buildings, for river and
harbor work. for liberal appropriations for
the general and growing expenses of the
government.
IF the Treasury Department is worried
about that surplus" remarked Senator
Hanna last night. 81 viii spend some of IL
That sententious remark undoubtedly
voices the sentiment of an influential ele-
ment in Congress For that reason 81 is
probable that the wholesale reduction or
war revenues will not be accomplished at
this session without a very vigorous fight.