Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-11
WAR REVENUE PLAN
MEETS OPPOSITION
Bitter Fight Probable Over
Proposed Tax on Freight
Bills of Lading.
ATTACKS FROM ALL SIDES
ON ADMINISTRATION BILL
Temperance People Oppose Exemp-
ton of Whisky-Fear Of Compllca-
tions in Business Also Expressed.

Vigorous opposition awaits the adnlln-
istration's plan for war revenue taAation
as framed by the House committee on
ways and means. Attacks VIII be mace
upon 1T from several quarters. The out
line as now presented is not altogether
acceptable to all democrats, it was SAID
at the Capitol today.
The republicans, of course. will go after
the new scheme of taxation hot foot from
the outset. Minority Leader Mann said
today:
. "Jn the first place. there is no need for
additional taxation. If the party In
power would exercise economy in expend-
itures-reasonable and natural economy
such as an ordinary business man would
enforce in his own affairs or judicious
housekeeper would apply no citizen need
be taxed another dollar.
But, even with the reckless expendi-
ture of public money by the present Con-
gress, there Is better way to meet the
deficit than by. ]evying direct taxes. Of
course, no one expects the administration
to adopt the republican course of seeking
revenue from such imports as will come
in notwithstanding the war restrictions,
and therefore it is useless for a republican
to offer advice.
Minority Report to Be Made.
Serene E. Payne, ranking republican
on the ways and means committee, said
today that a minority report on the war
tax bill will be presented, but he was not
ready to talk about 1t until he had seen
the draft of the administrations meas
ure.
bers of the House against the proposed
per cent tax on freight bills OF lading
1t Is said that this plan of taxation is
likely to lead to much confusion and to
great deal of dissatisfaction. 1t IS point
ed out that every railroad company has
endless claims for overcharge on freight
every month, and while these claims are
often settled by the road In favor of the
claimant, the suer will never be able to
get his per cent back from the govern
ment, the amount he was taxed on his
overcharge. There is also question
whether the interstate commerce COM
mission may not have to take a hand in
the proceedings. as there may be neces-
sity of revising all freight schedules.
1t was said today that the temperance
people will protest because whisky was
not taxed. They are not satisfied, 1t is
declared. with the. exploration that the
tax was avoided because the whisky men
would Withdraw money from the banks
to take their whisky out Of bond in
money would be paid into the Treasury
and could Immediately be redeposited in
the banks.
The tax on beer, it was said today.
comes at a time when the consumption
of beer is falling of. during the fall and
winter. and the government may be dis
appointed in the returns.
Part of Republican Levy Favored.
Some democrats in the House are in
favor of taking a few leaves out of the
republican war tax of 1898. claiming that
thus the republicans would be silenced.
They said that there is the tax on cigar
cites. on playing cards. etc.
Said one democrat:
I'm every club where a card game is
in progress the club charges 81 for the
deck of cards. That is revenue for the
club. Why couldn't the, government take
2 cents on that for itself? Who would
object?
II am afraid there will be many an old
farmer who will vote republican because
he has had to pay 80 cents on his freight
bill for his farm machinery, when he
realizes that whisky. bridge parties,
cigarette smokers and 'sich like go un-
taxed"
1t was said today that the new revenue
bill will not be completed by the COM
mittee before tomorrow.
Freight Tax Opposed.
Strong opposition to the proposed tax
on freight in Shipment as one means to
raise revenue to meet the loss of Gus
toms. has manifested itself in the Senate
already. Senator Gallinger, the repub-
lican leader. said today:
'tI am absolutely opposed to such a
tax. which is sure to fall cpon the ship
pers and consumers of the country. II
tax must be levied. it should be placed
on luxuries, not necessities. The taxes
on tobacco should be increased for one
thing.
But. in my opinion. the money which
customs should not be raised by increased
taxation at ali. 1t would be far better
to have the government issue bonds and
let the rich people Of the country meet
the emergency, rather than to tax the
poor. The bonds would be snapped up
like hot cakes. There is an emergency
here and there Is no valid reason why
! this means of relieving the situation
should not be adopted
Predicts Protracted Fight.
Senator Gallinger said that il the inter-
nal revenue bill came to the Senate with
the provision for a tax on freight as pro-
posed by the House ways and means
committee. 1t would be fought long and
hard.
Senator Norris of Nebraska declared
himself opposed to the tax on freight,
also, characterizing 1t as absurd. He said
| that If an increased tax were put on
cigars, and particularly on the higher
priced cigars. the needed money could be
raised without trouble.
.rT intend to offer an amendmapt in