Evening star., 1901-11-14
Mr.. Boutell Favors Removal of War
Revenue Taxes
POINTS TO Big TREASURY SURPLUS
Says That Congress Should Fulfill
Its Promise.
OF RECIPROCITY

|
mittee on coinage. weights and measures, is
an earnest advocate of the removal OF all
war revenue taxes. Mr.. Boutell has taken
up his quarters in Washington for the COM
ing session, and in speaking OF the work 10
be done by the next Congress to a Star re-
porter today he emphasized his views on
this point by calling attention to the fact
that there is at the present time $4,000 900
Of cash surplus in the treasury Of the
United States and that this sum is being
added to at the rate of s.. 600 900 a month.
Mr.. Boutell believes there are two good
and valid reasons why the tax which ere
ates this surplus should be removed. First,
because of pledges given by republican par
ty leaders at the time the tax was imposed
that II should be done away with as soon as
the war was over and second, because so
large surplus will tend TO create A spirit
Of extravagant and reckless appropriations.
During the debate in the House at the
last session. when portion of this tax
removed, Mr.. Boutell took the position that
1t should all be taken off. third at time.
the last being removed December l, 1901
Mr.. BoutelIs estimate at that time OF the
surplus which would be created has been
borne out by present conditions almost TO
the dollar.
The question which confronts us now"
said Mr.. Boutell today, rs whether we
shall increase our expenditures or decrease
our revenue by reducing taxation. The
large balance In the treasury ana con-
stantly increasing surplus are OF course
invitation to large. unusual and extrav-
agant proportions.
In this connection 1t seems to me that
the wise and businesslike course TO be pur-
sued is to Immediately reduce taxation.
When the war revenue act was passed. in
the spring of 1888, we, representatives
of the people. promised that as soon as the
war was over its emergency tax should be
repealed. 1t is now three years since the
war closed, and so far as i am concerned,
1 feel very strongly that We should keep
word to the people"
What was Said I'm the House.
Asked at this point in what manner these
promises had been made Mr. Boutel
turned to the Congressional Record con-
tanning reports Of the war reverue debate.
This discussion was opened by Mr.. Dingley
with the following words:
Mr. Chairman, this L-.l, as its title indi-
Gates, is a war measure measure forced
upon us by reason of the fact that the
United States is now engaged in war
with Spain"
Representative DalzeH spoke as follows
of the permanency Of the law during the
same debate:
Mr. Chairman, that the pending meas
ure is one of extraordinary character will
be universally admitted and may be frank
ly conceded at the outset. 1t contemplates
an extension of internal system Of
taxation TO point rot to be thought OF Tor
a moment unless demanded by the present
eXigency."
Chairman Cannon of the appropriations
committee made this statement at that
time in answer to a question during the
speech of Representative Wheeler of Ken
lucky against the bill:
Now, l say again, wnen anybody says
there is to be $500 600 600 piled up in the
treasury, either he is ignorant on the one
hand or desirous of misrepresenting on the
other. Not one dollar viii be raised by
taxation, not one dollar will be raised by
borrowing, except as needed. If the war
ends in six months, as the gentleman from
kentucky thinks it will, then We shall be
in a position six months from now to re-
peal this taxation"
In reply to a suggestion Of Representa-
tive Walker Of Massachusetts, that the tax
be continued for the purpose of paying the
national bonds, Chairman Payne made this
answer and received the hearty app-ause Of
his party:
''The proposition of the committee is that
when the war is over cut off the war
taxes, and that pay the bonds as we
paid the bonds of the late war, out of the
usual and ordinary taxes Of the govern
ment.'
Continuing Mr.. Boutell said:
81 believe that nations and legislative
bodies should be governed by the same law
of strict adherence to promises and reputa-
tions that would govern an individual.
Considering the surplus in the treasury,
/ think we might very well repeal the en-
tire internal revenue taxes to take effect
January next. reference to the treasury
statement will show that far during the
present fiscal year the surplus is in round
numbers S22,0o0,000 in excess of the sur
plus for the same period last year. This is
undoubtedly caused by larger income
from customs receipts, together with de-
crease in our expenditures"
Mr.. Boutel was questioned regarding his
views on tariff revision and the enactment
of reciprocity treaties.
FavOrs Reciprocity Treaties.
Il believe we were put in possession of our
chart and sailing directions on these mat
ters by the wonderful speech of President
Mckinley at Buffalo the day before he was
shot That was most statesmanlike and
far-seeing estimate of the action that is
necessary at the present time to create
markets for our rapidly expanding COM
merce
"As recollect it. for the last fiscal year
to very nearly 81 500, 600 900, while our i'm
ports were about s900.Oo0,000, so that our
exports exceed our imports by about $780,
600 600 Now 1t does not need argument
to show that in order to continue this pres
ent rapid expansion of our foreign COM
merce we must be able TO take more of the
products of the countries to whom our
goods are sold. 1t is simply automatic that
we cannot continue the present dispropor-
tionate ratio between our exports and i'm
ports.
Must obtain More Markets.
"How shall we bring about a more equal
proportion between what we sell to foreign
nations and what we buy of them. is a
question winch presses dt lfllS tl1ne. IN my
opinion this can be effected by reciprocal
trade relations authorized to be negotiated
under the present Dingley tariff law. One
thing is certain with our wonderfully in
creasing foreign commerce, we must either
the energies of our people or ac-
quire broader markets for American goods.
My opinion Is that We should take all Of
the necessary steps to give the widest pos
sible markets to American products and
If this cannot be fully
done under the reciprocity arrangements Of
the Dingiey tariff law, then, of course,
some modification of the present law
through reciprocal treaties would not only
be wise, but necessary. At the present
time however, 1t would seem that all necef-
sary reciprocal trade arrangements could
be made under the power vested in the
executive by the terms of the DfngIey law.
In conclusion, Mr.. Bouteil uttered warm
ing note against lavish appropriations
I'VE should exercise the greatest wisdom
and caution" he declared. 'sgainst large
and extravagant appropriations at this
time. The presence of such a large and
growing surplus in the treasury IL q temp
tation which will have to be wfthstood."