New-York tribune., 1902-01-28
VAR REVENUE DEDUCTION.
TEA MERCHANTS AND BREWERS HEARD
BY THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEE.
Washington. Ian. 27-The Wavs and Means com
mlttee to-day temporarily laid aside the subject of
Cuban reciprocity and took up the question Of re-
dIc1ng the war revenue taxes IN the morning the
tea interests heard on the proposition take
of the tax of !" cents pound tea imposed by
the Spanish war revenue act The afternoon was
set aside for the beer interests The tea interests
we're numerouslv represented Some OF those pres
ent opposed the proposed change. and Chairman
Pavne divided the time that both sides might
be heard Albert P Sloan. If New-York, president
Of the National Tea Duty Repeal Association. made
! the opening statement He summed NJ the appeal
for reduction as follows
First-The duty is ar excessive hardship upon
taller wholesale grocer and tea importer -,
Second-Ihe duty IS inlUrinG permanently the
quality oT tea sold and consumed
the better classes are gradually being deprived Of
Fourth-As the tea duty IS a war tax 1T should
be removed now that the war is over and there
Fifth-As TIE country is already heavily taxed
upon the principle Of protection il should not be
protection.
Thomas Phear and Martin Roach of New-To-k
John Moir, of Boston. John Magruder OF Wash
ington and others spoke in favor Of taking Off the
duty
opened by ". J Buckfeld, \ tea importer. NJ New
York He said the 10 cent duty had operated bene-
dca!ly in keeping out the poor grades Of tea in
clu9inE the Japan tea dusts which had been mixed
with other teas The tSv affected the poor grades
chiefly, and had almost eliminated them This
gave the country better qualities Of teas and
eventually an Improvement IN quality would lead
70 increased consumption. He said that the price
OF tea would advance by a removal OF the duty,
and prices already had advanced - expectation
that the TAX would be removed = the duty
removed he said. the benefit would be reaped by
the foreign exporting countries. and not hv The
United States
a Buringame Johrson. recently United states
consul at Annoy. China. 4 large Shipping point for
tea gave a result of HIS experience that the
duty had operated 70 step the shipment - POOR
tea TO this country. and that the duty had fallen
on the Chinese dealer. instead of the American
dealer and consumer.
ARGUMENTS OF THE BREWERS
A. the afternoon session the beer people were
represented by officials Of their organization. in
cuding y w Kendall. ~ New-Hav-n. conn.
president Of the United States Brewers Associa-
ton. George + Obermsun. of Baltimore chairman
Of the committee federal relations of tlat as
9-2szC, - ~s lrGpTIR el, LSs; ] airir1ore of tfa
attended the hearing Representarve Barthoidt.
OF 81 Louis INTRODUCED the speakers.
President Kendall said that assurances had been
given when the war taxes We're imposed that they
we're for war purposes and would @ terminate Win Win
W n M. t Loo % ~ - ~ 7' - -, 49, "a an II. - ba
much higher. Thee vas no trust in the brewing
made in the business II was before the Spanish
war He referred 10 three engaged in the
iron industry reapiDE an annual proht or S5o"opt
from their business The brew cries had paid 10 the
either had been wiped reduced pttance
In conclusion Mr.. Kendall said The trustees Of
United States Brewers Association express the
sentiments OF the entire American brewing in
product being the highest and most destructive
tax ever imposed. here or elsewhere, upon arti-
Gle Of domestic production and domestic cousump-
ton should have be wholly
pealed. and that in its distressing condition
the American brewing trade has no hope OF relief
except that which rests upon your sense Of justice
and your willingness TO redeem pledge and prom
ise repeatedly and sOlemnly made by your honor
able committee.
Chairman Payne. in reference Mr.. KendaIIs
appeal that Congress keep the promises OF repeal
heretofore made, said that Compress and the com
mittee had kept ahead Of their promises. The
trouble had been that the requirements or the gov
eminent had largely increased. The reductions in
war taxes last year. Mr Payne said had gone as
FAR as conditions seemed Justify Now the
committee would further consider what additional
reductions weIe justified
Mr.. Obermauu sTCke Of the numerous failures IN
the brewing trade. The industry was thoroughly
American. with American labor at high wages, but
he declared II not treated like other American
Industries.
Mr. Brand Of Chicago. referred 10 the enormous
surplus in the Treasury. and said this should i'm
pei immediate performance Of the promises that
the is be repealed He maintained that
malt liquor q food. and not a luxury and that
its in place of spirits made II an effective
agency for temperance.
Mr. Grain Of Baltimore said that the present
tax particularly OuerOus on the small brewers,
and that its continuance would bring about d large
number Of failures.
A local delegation. representing the National Re
tail Malt Liquor Association, also urged the re-
peal Of the beer
This closed the hearings on the beer tax.