Washington sentinel., 1901-05-18
THAT TAX AGAIN.
Brewers Are Looking TO Buffalo
for n Move I'm their Behalf.

Brewers Are Looking to Buffalo
for n Move I'm their Behalf.
The coming Brewers Conven-
ton to be held in Buffalo, in June,
will be an important one for that
trade, and OF the many questions to
be there considered the leading
one by all means will relate to the
beer tax and the steps necessary
to bring about repeal OF that most
harassing and now most unneces-
sarv burden.
In previous issue the SENTINEL
advanced reasons for favorable ac-
ton in this matter and supported
its assertions b" facts which admit
Of little or no argument. We have
shown, from statements made by
the War Departm snt, that the army
was not TO be recruited to he full
strength authorized and appro-
priated for by Congress. Our mil
itary establishment at that time
was fixed at IS, 900 men, or 5000
less than originally intended. AS
every soldier costs the Govern
ment 81, 900 a year, this saving Of
Ss5, 900. 900 in itself was sufficient
to allow OF the entire repeal of the
beer tax.
Pacification is now proceed ding
in the Philippines at pace which
jus ifies the War Department IN
announcing that instead OF $4,000
men to be detailed for service
there, as proposed, conditions now
permit Of further reduction OF
5000 men. With an army OF IS,
900, OF which 4o.o were in the
Philippines, there would remain
IS, 900 for home service, and as we
had never previously had occasion
for more than IS 900 at home, it is
plain that there is ample room for
additional economy in army ex.
penditures which would save the
Treasury another $40, 900 900. In
other words, basing calculations
on the Administrators figures,
we will be able to save Sas ,ooo, 900
out of the appropriations for the
fiscal year IooI.2, and this sum can
be increased by $40, 900, 900 more
if the Department sees fit to do so,
Assuming the brewers output
for the coming year to be 40, o,ooo,-
900 barrels, a repeal ofthe 90 cents
yet remaining Of the Spanish war
tax would decrease Government
revenues by $4,000, 900; but as
the admitted saving in expendi-
lures by the plan proposed for army
reduction will net the Treasury
Gas, ,ooo, 900, and this sum may be
augmented by another $40, ,ooo.o 900
in home expenditures, 1t is d fficult
to see upon what ground conces-
sions to brewers can be refused.
We are aware that opposition to
the repeal ofthe War Revenue bill
will be strong, and It's opponents
will he found mainly. il not en-
tirely, among those who are push
ing the Ship Subsidy and Mica
ragua anal bills. The immense
sums involved in the carrying out
OF these projects will be urged
against repeal measure, It will
be contended that the effects OF
legislation by the last Congress
can not be seen lora year or two
and that trouble may arise in our
new possessions for which it would
be well to be prepared without
having to resort to new legislation,
as would be the case il the unlore-
seen happened and the War Rev
enue act were repealed and income
from that source stopped.
Such an appeal might carry
weight were the Treasury in a
weakened condition, but when the
contrary is we'll known to be the
case, it should exert little infiu-
ence.
It will also be said that as relief
was extended last winter, its recip-
tents should be willing to give the
new rate trial until its effects on
their business and the national
revenues could be demonstrated.
They will be advised to "cease
their calamity bowling until they
have been hit"
The :. sdom oil this advice will
not be appreciated by brewers. MOI
will the benefit Of a as cents a bar