The Washington herald., 1908-06-30

liquors, upon which they pay the gov
ernment tax of 81 per barrel. after which
by methods OF evaporation, the alcO-
holic content IS reduced 10 less than one
half OF l per cent by volume. and the
liquor is then ready FOR shipment 70 the
merchant In the prohibition town with
all legal requirements fulfilled, and yet
with the most remarkable physical re-
semblance 20 lager beer in color. foam.
and odor. and with the possible additional
advantage that the consumer may be
compelled 10 Increase the dose in order
to reach the proper spot.
One Of the mysterious items OF revenue
is the sum annually collected on snuff,
which bears the same tax as that levied
on tobacco-6 cents per pound. II is true
that the receipts for this fiscal year Will
show a slight decrease. but no more than
a sympathetic reduction in keeping with
the general decline in the revenues. It IS
very likely that the official report. tudg-
ing from data just made public, Will show
a production OF 100000 pounds Of snuff
during the twelve months ended to-day.
Where this snuff goes. who uses II. and
why nobody knows. unless It be the large
manufacturers in close touch with the
trade. One would suppose that with the
passing Of the snun box, now only a
memory. and the advance OF civilization
in those sections where dipping Is. or
was, INDUCED in, the production Of snuff
would rapidly diminish. On the contrary.
II shows q healthy and vigorous growth.
Ten years ago 13, O0l,OOO pounds were tax
paid; last year twice that amount was
procured. Possibly a great deal Of It IS
| exported.
| Notwithstanding the apparent deficit IN
| the receipts from the internal revenue
taxes on tobacco and tobacco products,
/ generally speaking. 1t is evident that the
! cigarette habit is still firmly intrenched-
so much so that in the face of the fact
that the consumption Of cigars and smok-
I ing and chewing tobacco has decreased
during the fiscal year just closing. the
| income from cigarettes of all grades
| shows an increase. During the fiscal
year 1907. In round numbers. 100000. 900
cigarettes were taXpaid in the United
Estates This was an increase Of a trife
ike l00,0O000O over the year 1906. and taxi
ing the last monthly statement issued
by the Internal Revenue Bureau as 4
basis. the fiscal year 1905 will show the
same steady growth
The spread OF the cigarette habit IS tho
stringent laws prohibiting the sale Of
cigarettes or cigarette materials have
been enacted IN some States and active
crusades made IN many localities by or
ganizatiOns antagonistic TO the use Of the
weed In this form; and also that thou
sands OF staggering youths who former
~ smoked the cigarette now parade the
campus with pipes projecting at the
proper angle from their lips.
These are only a few Of the many
varied things with which Uncle Sam
bookkeepers have 10 do. When the books
close az 4.30 o'clock this afternoon. il will
mean a million accounts 10 be balanced
, hundreds Of thousands Of reports 10 be
made. a thousand books 20 be printed
all IN the everyday work Of the govern.
me1t, and all Unheeded by the vast ma
JOTity OF Americans.
! Copyright. lsOS By Frederic J. Haskiul
TO-mOrrOw-The American Master
o Builder.