Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-09
Russia and Servia Suspected.

Meanwhile the dual monarchy is still
the onerous burden Of mobilization. On
her long Russian border, as well as on
the Balkan frontier. several hundreds of
thousands are kept ready for any emer-
gency. Russia is still suspected, and
still more Servia. The press does not
speak of the fact. periodically obeying
instructions Of the government. About
the only evidence of these warlike condi-
lions Is the financial stringency. The
papers receive donations for Our Soldiers
on the Beforehand these amount alto
gether to several millions and are con-
verified mostly into tobacco, preserves.
wine and spirits. and sent on.
Both in Germany and Austria-Hun-
gary new taxes are needed to meet the
requirements Of both governments and
cities. In that connection it is of in
terest that in the Wurttemberg legis-
lature the premier, DIR. Won WeiZsacker
furnished statistic proof that Germany
is less burdened with taxes per head Of
population than are her western neigh
bOrs, France and England. In Berlin
a municipal octrOi both on beer and on
movies" Here in Austria they are
planning to increase the tax on spirits
and alcohol to 1 kr. so per liter (about
b cents per quartz, to tax rather
heavily the incomes Of the industrial
classes, etc.
1t is a somewhat peculiar fact that
under the Austrian and Hungarian
finance plans the owners of large es-
tates-although meats. cereals, fruits
and other produce fetch higher prices
even than in the United States with
prohibitive duties on foreign produce)-
are almost exempt from taxation. Only
Z per cent of the entire government
revenues of Austria comes from taxes
on estates and farms: rural incomes OF
200 kr. or less are exempt. Those
who pay any rural taxes number but
10000. and altogether they pay but
$500, 900 kr. in such dues. As a fur
Their curiosity it might be mentioned
that an Austrian bachelors tax" is
planned and at present considered in
bled in the case of foreign bachelors
owning Austrian property
Tobacco Monopoly Under Fire.
By reason of an unmistakable case of
corruption involved in the renewal of
the Austro- Hungarian tobacco monOp
DIV the conditions Of this extraordinary
concern are just now being investi
gated.
Both Austria and Hungary raise , an
turkish in quality. Besides this ma
tive tobacco the reggie" managers of
this government monopoiys nuys TO-
peciaIly in Amsterdam, Bremen. Ham
burg, Havana. It imports direct from
Havana cigar firms. Only tobaccos.
cigars. cigarettes, snuff, etc. handled
by the "regie" may be consumed
within the dual monarchy. The gov
eminent derives something like $685.,
100000 per annum from this. not more.
Many thousands Of small dealers handle
the goods of the reggie" mostly widows
or orphans OF war veterans. These deal
ers receive 6 per cent of the gross price.
The most wonderful fact Is. however. that
the reggie" cigars, no matter whether
they cost ] cent or % cents each (and
they make them at both these prices),
taste all alike. They are all dry as
straw. Only the imported Havana cigars
make a good smoke. And these-the i'm
ported Havanas-can be bought here for
Just about half what they cost in New
York. 1t is queer institution. this.
reggie"