Washington sentinel., 1901-04-06
TERMS
THAT TAX AGAIN.

Brewers Serve Notice that they viii
Resent Further Neglect.
The Editor Of the WASHINGTON
SENTINEL has taken occasion re-
peatedll' to impress upon Congress
the fact that, in levying a double
tax upon brewers while so many
other sources Of revenue better
able to bear a share of the wars
burdens were left practically un-
touched, an injustice was being
done the effects oil which would be
apparent, sooner or later, in wide
spread disaster to the industry
affected.
We have also held, in season and
out Of season, that ultimately
brewers would be compelled to
enter the arena OF politics and
array themselves in opposition to
the party responsible for the con-
tinuance Of the tax after the OBJ
iects Tor which it was levied had
been accomplished, and thus force
the fulfllment OF promises made
to them.
Congress was not asked to ac-
cept mere assertions as proof of
the destructive effects Of this tax
upon brewers. The United States
Brewers Association have worn
that subject bare, in laying before
that body through circulars, and
bV personal argument before its
committees, evidence most COM
pEehensive and indisputable in cor
roboration OF their claims and in
support OF their demands for relief.
A deaf ear was turned to all these
appeals. not in ignorance OF the
real situation, but in neglect, or
rather, we should say. in contempt
of it. The miserable pittance OF
as cents a barrel awarded brewers
was granted by the dominant party
much in the spirit in which boot
jack is hurled at a cat or bone is
given 20 an angry dog. No con-
sideration OF justice, no regard to
promises solemnly made, no desire
to relieve a business unfairly and
oppressiVely burdened entered into
the case at all. Their appeals were
simply annoying, at a time when
other things OF more pressing i'm.
portance in Congressional eyes
pressed for recognition, and this
shabby method was taken OF quiet
ing them.
The Administration never had
any intention OF fulfilling its prom
Uses to brewers, unless it meant to
do so at the expense of interests
which would never submit TO such
deception. and only fear of Goa
lition OF elements hostile to its
schemes Influenced it in making
any redu ction whatever. Indeed,
it has been said that, anticipating
the passage OF the Ship Subsidy
and Nicaragua Canal bills, which
carried millions Of appropriations
and would have absolutely forbade
reduction Of the war tax in any
amount, the action of the Senate
in conceding an additional 10 cents
a barrel was solely with the view
of providing for opposition that
would defeat the bill, if such a
course were found necessary.
AT the opening OF Congress the
SENTINEL was in position to say
that the Democratic minority was
unanimous for entire abolition OF
war taxes. Our authority was
Hon. Jas. d. Richardson, leader
Of the Democrats. With the help
OF 80 Republican votes, mustered
from the friends of brewers on that
side OF the House, a repeal bill
could have been passed. We re-
gret that some steps were not taken
to bring about this result, so that
the sincerity Of the Senate and the
professions OF the President could
have been put to practical test.
The outcome might have opened
the eyes Of the brewers sooner to
realization OF the politics IN the
situation and have driven them to
the conclusion they seem to have
reached, as appears from evidently
inspired articles in their official
journals. But better late than
never.
Now, as to the other point. The
Editor oil the SENTINEL has always