The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-03-13

Ways and Means Committee
Yet Undecided.
HOLD ANOTHER SITTINGTO-DAY
The Provision of Revenues for the
Government Is Chief Question Both
erinS Men who Have Matter of Re-
vision in Charge-DoIIar a Barrel
on Beer One Of Likely Provisions.

The Ways and Means Committee de-
voted the entire day 10 the consideration
OF a tariff bill It was thought yesterday
the bill might be perfected before the
close Of the day. but the sittings will
continue to-day.
One o. the members OF the committee
said that the bin would hardly go to the
House Monday He expressed the opinion
that most Of that day would be taken I'D
with matters Of reorganization, and that
even were the bin ready 1t would prob
ably not be submitted before Tuesday.
There was more secrecy than yesterday,
and it is expected that less information
will find its way TO the public hereafter
concerning schedules until the bill is
actually made public.
The principal concern Of those who
are framing the measure IS 10 provide
revenue for the immediate needs Of the
government For this reason the question
of internal revenue taxs is receiving con-
siderable attention.
An increase Of the tax on beer would
mean an increase Of the revenues almost
from the day the bill became a law. II
81 A barrel is added 10 the present tax, a
revenue OF S40.0OO.O 600 annually would be
insured, and that would mean an addi-
ton of over 100000 month to the re-
ceipts. beginning with the day the bin
went into effect There would be no
necessary waiting for establishments or
imports 10 normal conditions. such as
follow upon the changing OF the law with
respect TO customs duties.
Financial Question.
Much concern is shown around the
Treasury Department over financial con-
ditions. The fears that the government
may be driven 10 the extremity of
bond issue are being freely voiced. and
the grave situation has been laid before
the Ways and Means Committee within
the last tWenty-four hours. There Is a
question In the minds of Treasury experts
as to whether the addition OF the war
taxes Of 1898 would furnish the necessary
revenues.
II was reported yesterday that over
S50.OOO.0O0 Of claims against the govern
ment are now due and payable. but have
been postponed by the Treasury officers
for want Of ready cash. A statement
was made from an authoritative source
that If outstanding government claims
now due and payable were met, the gov
eminent would have on hand a smaller
supply Of cash than il had when Presi-
dent Cleveland embarked on his first
bond issue.
The largest amount of revenue from
special taxation that the tariff experts
hope to secure is S75.0o0.O00 A tax on
coffee and tea, which was seriously con-
sidered. would by no means meet the de-
mand for funds.
Would Delay Revenues.
As soon as the intention of Congress 10
impose a tax on these articles becomes
known. and before the bill becomes a law.
large importations of coffee from Brazil
and Europe would be brought into the
United States. and the stock on hand
would be so large at the time the tariff
bin takes effect as a law that ii would
be many months before importations
would be necessary 10 supply the demand.
and consequently a long time would
elapse before any revenues would be de-
rived from the duty on coffee. The same
iss probably true in smaller degree OF
the tea duty
It is this fact which is helping the
Ways and Means Committee to decide in