Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-01-26
The WAR TAX
WILL NOT BE REDUCED.
Senate and House are Juggling
With the Bill


And the Probabilities are that Nothing
viii be Done-yery Large Appr0pri-
ations and the Philippine War will
Keen up Taxation Where the Bur-
den will Fall.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-There IS
very grave doubt 10 regard to the pas
sage of the war tax reduction bill at
this session of Congress. The bill
drawn by the House differs radically
from that drawn by the Senate, about
the only point of resemblance between
them being the fact that each reduces
the revenue by about $40, 0Oo, 00O,
whereas Secretary Gage asserts that
the government cannot a1ord TO re-
strict its income by more than $780,
900. 600. Since both houses persist In
underwriting this to the extent OF
about $40, 900, 900, it is believed that
the administration would not regret 10
see the whole matter go over till next
session. Certainly the behavior OF
certain Senators would give one this
impression.
Moreover. il Congress continues TO
nile up the appropriations as it is do
ing. even $50, 900, 900 reduction will
be too much 1t is estimated that
$3.50, 900, 900 will be expended at this
session. Over 1920, 600, 900 were ex-
pended at the last one, making the
total nearly billion and half The
river and Harbor Appropriation bill
provides for an expenditure OF $780,
900. 900: the Naval bill is equally
extravaganza, and the advocates OF the
Ship Subsidy bill insist that the gov
eminent snail give to the benefciarles
Of their scheme sum estimated al
$1,000, 900 a year for a long term OF
years. Instead OF retrencnment ana
tax reduction the tendency seems TO
be toward extravaganza and the per-
petuation of excessive war taxes.
The advocates of 'sliberal appropri-
ations" contend that the country mas
passed beyond the stage of moderate
expenditures, even in the piping times
>,of peace. and that Government dis
bursements keep pace with the growth
OF population. The argument OF
those who attempted to defend the
extravaganza of the first ''billion dol
lar Congress" was, in substance, GnaJ
ssthis is billion dollar country.
There is small comfort in such reason
ing for persons of limited means, TO
whom increased taxation represents
some degree of deprivation.
For instance, the war tax OF ten
cents pound on tea, an article which
everybody uses, it is estimated by the
Treasury to be about so ger cent on
the import value. How much salts
faction does it afford the poor man
who has to pay this to be told, On the
authority of Senator Frye, that if he
will continue to bear the burden
meekly provision will be made to sub
sidize American ships SO that one
great company at least, will be able
to pay its stockholders 81 per cent,
dividend. The man who must pay
ff35 cents pound for an inferior quail
Fity of tea will find no solace in the
assurance that If he submits obedi-
emily to excessive taxation the United
States will eventually have the great
est collection of warships ia the world
Sto defend our subsidized merchant
marine.
The Republicans are determined to
force through the Shipping bill If it
cannot be brought to a vote at this
session, the Republicans will see to IL
that one or more of the appropriation
bills also fails, and an extra session
will be called to pass them. Then,
when Congress has met-to appropri-
ate-it eau, of course, take up the
shipping bill incidentally.
Thus the president will be freed
from the criticism of having called an
extra session for the benefit OF the
ship owners and yet the ship own
ers viii be benefited by the ses-
sion he will have called. So every
thing will have to shell out.
Meanwhile the Treasury Bureau Of
x Statistics is congratulating the coun-
try that American exports have in
creased from 1857, SOP. 54S in 1890 to
81, 478, $50, 5S4 in 1900. This is a fine
showing until it is realized that the
growth of our export trade has largely
yleveloped at the expense Of the Amer
lean consumer. The heavy import
taxes keep the foreigner out of the
American market and enable the
American manufacturer to charge more
for his products at home, while he is
compelled to reduce the price to for
eigners because he has to face compe-
tition in nearly all the markets of the
world.
------------- -----=-----------
HOuSe and Lot for kalp