The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-09-10
CONGRESS SENDS OUT
ANOTHER nFEELERv ON
THINGS TO BE TAXED
Nominal Charge Suggested, Though
81 on Beer, Csc on Whisky Would
Produced 100000, 900 In
Revenue.

Washington, D. c., Sept. S.-Demo,
cratic members of the ways and means
committee virtually agreed today upon
commodities susceptible to special tax
alton to realize $75, 900, 900 of the $780,
600, 900 required by President Wilson to
OFFSET the loss in custom receipts by
the conflict. What shall be taxed to
raise the other $25. 900, 900 has not beer
decided, score of commodities and
means of taxation being proposed. The
committee will meet again next Tues.
day and expects to complete the bill
next week.
Although no announcement was
made, it is certain hat beer and fer
mented liquors will come first among
the articles taxed. The additional beer
barrel. probably so cents, producing
$32, o00, 600 a year. A tax Of 20 cents a
gallon is probable on domestic wines,
bringing in from $1,000, 900 to 81, 500, 900,
From a tax on proprietary medicines
and preparations of all kinds and on
soft drinks, it is hoped to raise ap-
proximately $50, 600, 900, while a small
additional revenue tax on distilled
liquors, probably not more than Is cents
a gallon, will bring the total tax on
Whistles, etc, to $1.25 a gallon. From
these urce it is estimated $75, 000, 600
would be assured.
SO severe was the opposition to a tax
on railroad tickets among the mem
bers, because of it's unpopularity and
probable political effect, hat further
consideration is unlikely. An alterna-
tive to tax railroad freight has been
suggested, but this. it has been pointed
out, would be expensive and difficult
to collect.
1t is also improbable that there will
hn anv cto ~ n - ~ l.,
struments. such as checks, drafts, on
Veyances, mortgages. etc. Nearly all
members of the committee agree that
such a tax would require too much ad-
ministrative details.
No Tobacco Tax.
The majority Of the committee also
opposed an additional tax on tobacco
because Of the burden it now bears.
There is some urgency, however, for a
graduated tax on cigars, according to
value, from which it is asserted a large
increase in revenue would be produced.
Tax on gasoline is strenuously opposed
too. Opposition, it was stated, lies
chiefly in the fact that it would be
expensive to collect, necessitating gov
agents in refineries,
Among the new subjects for taxation.
seriously discussed by the committee,
were monthly and weekly magazines
and periodicals, including magazines
circulated through Sunday newspapers.
1t was proposed to levy a tax on cir
culation at a given figure per 1000. A
tax on automobiles also is being con-
sldered, either an excise OF the manu-
featured machines, a tax based on the
horsepower or a tax on cars owned by
individuals.
Taxation Of moving picture films in
all theater and amusement tickets has
been suggested. The latter would In
clude picture theaters at a fraction of
a cent per ticket, to be paid by the
amusement licensee.
IF we only had to raise SIS, 900, 0O0,"
said Representative Underwood, chair
man of the committee tonight" we
could complete our bill in a few hours.
We are all agreed on what should be
taxed to raise that amount. Many 9TH
er things have been suggested and up
on these there is a disagreement, but
we will work out a complete bill"