Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-03-09
INHERITANCE TAX HANGS FIRE.
Bank Checks. kilograms, Playing
Cards and Stock Transactions Must
Bear Taxation-Four Gents q Pound
on Cotfee-No Further Levy Upon
Whiskcy and Beer.
by Associated Press. }


Having been practically completed by
the tariff trainers. portions of the new
tariff bill today were sent to the gov
crnment printer.
1t is said that by Wednesday the
entire measure will be in type. Al
though no announcement has been
made by the House committee on
ways and means regarding any Of the
schedules of the tentative bill. IL had
been learned on unquestioned author
ity that as concession to the shoe
men because OF placing hides on the
free list. the duty on shoes would be
considerably reduced.
While no figures were Obtainalae
regarding the steel schedule 1t was
stated. on the same authority, that
a substantial reduction IN the duty on
steel rails. tools and similar products
Is provided for.
Duty on Coffee.
A duty OF four cents a pound on
coffee Is levied. This Is by way OF
compromise with the Porto Ricaus,
who demanded 2 .tax Of Ak eents p
pcesadsi. s. Z.
Whiskey aud beer VIII remain as
they are at present. II the subcou-
mittee recommendations are enacted
into law.
1t was felt that whiskey was al
ready carrying all the tax It could
stand while In the case Of beer the
prohibition movement throughout the
country. it was explained. had cut
down the consumption OF beer, and 1t
was felt that It would be a hardship
TO impose any further tax.
War Tax Levied.
1t having become manifest to the
committee that duties derived from
customs under the new bill would
not produce the revenue expected.
they turned to the expedient Of re-
viving the war revenue act OF 1898
which placed tax on kilograms. bank
checks. playing cards and all stocks
bought or sold. That feature OF the
war revenue act Is Incorporated in
the measure as drafted. It Is said
A matter which still Is perpiexins
the committee Is that Of placing
tax on inheritaPces.
President Taft wants II. it. Is de-
! clared. and Is pressing the committee
, to take action along that line.
Present indications are that The
committee will yield to the Presi-
dents wishes
President Taft is seeking to nave
copy q the bill delivered to the SEN
ate committee on finance before the
! special session begins in order that
thew NAV begin work on It at once.
! believing that much time viii re
saved thus and tina, the extra ses-
sion will H. materially cr-tai!ed.
Lumber Cut IN Two.
A Gu; OF one-half. in the duties on
lunb Der and manufacturers Of lumber
is understood to be one OF the
changes.
Another change that has been made.
according to information from relta-
bic sources. is that hides have been
! placed on the free list.
There has been much contention
'oycr the duties Of these two articles.
| and while none of the members OF the
committee will verify the correctness
Of the reports. they are generally ac-
ccpted BY those who have been FOL
; iuwiny the work OF the committee.
During the hearings On the lumber
schedule the testimony was OF such
I 2 character as to lead to the impress
! sion that lumber would he put on
the free list. Sch action was
known To have much support. IL beng
claimed that tho forests Of the couf,-
try could only bc conserved by al
miit.ps foreign lUm!c: to this conn
| try free OF duty.
Iumberr,en Get susy.
LumBeTmcn have been wCTkins
theoretically 10 prevent the placing
of lumber on the free list.
They contend tina; the rates o! duty
should 10 Increased. IN order that the
American industry may compete Win
the cheaper labor cmpicycd In Can
ada.
The effort to obtain free hides -
wade "a often as there II revision
Of The tariff n Is principally sdro-
Gated b. the View England shoe aad
leather manufacturers. md Is ssrous-
" opposed by the catticInen o. the
Wet
While nothing can be Icarned re-
sardiny the action 81 the tsrfd Tram
crs in regard 70 the duties %