The Washington herald., 1914-09-06
YIELD
S75,OO0,OOO TAX
House Democrats Decide to
Levy onBeer, Wines, and
Soft Drinks.
HIGHER RATE ON WHISKY
Magazines, Movie Films. and Railway
and Amusement Tickets Also May
Be Considered Taxable.

A decision that the tax on beer shall
be increased from 81 to n.60 or Q.6o a bar
rel and that q tax shall be levied on wines
and soft drinks, and possibly an advance
In the rate on whisky were the principal
Developments Of the conference Of the
Democratic members Of the Ways and
Means Committee yesterday on the pro-
ppscd bill to raise 500 oOoo,S for the needs
Of the government.
The conference lasted throughout the
day, and was D lively one.
Estimates made In the conferences
placed the yield on the proposed taxes on
beer, wines. soft drinks, and q few other
articles not specified at SO 900. A the
committee IL required to prepare Q bill
that will bring In 400 100. there yet
remains O number Of articles or utilities
to be selected for purposes Of taxation.
In seeking for articles to tar. the COM
mtttee today considered magazines a.
legitimate prey. They also discussed
the ACCESSIBILITY Of leyyinE . tax on the
magazines that accompany many Sunday
newspapers A Democratic leader said
last night that . purely nominal tar on
the periodical press would yield an enor.
nous revenue Moving picture films also
may be taxed. II was suggested that ar.
assessment Of 81 Q thousand feet on films
would be productive Of . considerable
sum.
That tickets issued 10 baseball games,
theaters. and other places Of amusement
will be taxed 10 practically assured.
Small Advance Likely.
There appears to be sentiment In the
committee for . small advance In the
rate on whisky, and rectined spirits.
whiskey now pays $40 q gallon. II
the rate on this product 10 increased Il
will not be beyond t1.5 or $40. according
to members Of the committee. The arEu-
ment il made that while whisky may
now pay about all tho trafnc would bear
that the trainers Of the law would be
placed in an embarrassing position IL
they increased the rate on beer. levied Q
tax on wines and soft drinks, and let
whisky 70 scot free. So the chances are
that for political reasons . slight ad-
vance in the rate in whisky will be au-
thorized.
The big light In the committee IL
being waged over the suggestion that
tax bill shall be levied on railway
tickets. This tax would yield approx
Imately S45, OoO, 900. It appeals TO the
committeeman because II would be
easily collectible and certain in its
results.
Another suggestion made yesterday
was that an excise tax might be levied
on the makers Of automobiles, based
either upon value or horsepower. or
that a license tax should be laid upon
the use OF automobiles.
The committee appears to be almost
unanimous in its opposition TO the adop-
ton Of any plan involving the use OF
stamps by the Individual Such taxes
are regarded as vexatiouB. Accordingly.
no serious consideration has been given
to taxes on checks or other forms OF
negotiable paper. Increases in the rates
on the income tax law and the levy Of
an Inheritance tax have been suggested
but they have been given little support
The committee will resume it, de-
liberations Tuesday morning They hope
TO complete the bill by the latter part
Of the week.