The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1914-09-10
beer Will CARRY
BURDEN OF DEFICIT
COMMITTEE DECIDES TO LEVY
ON WINES, LIQUORS AND
SOFT DRINKS.
HOUSE OPPOSED TO STAMP TAX
COMMERCIAL DOCUMENTS WILL
BE EXEMPT-MORE MUST
BE PROVIDED.

dSn1nSCOn, Oept. IA QeclSloH
that the tax on beer shall be increased
from 81 to $1.50 or SLIGO barrel, and
that tax shall be levied on wines and
soft drinks, and possibly an advance
in the rate on whisky were the princi-
pal developments of the conference Of
the Democratic members of the ways
and means committee today on the
proposed bill to raise 500, 100000 for
the needs of the government. The
conference lasted throughout the day.
Vigorous protests were made against
the proposal that a tax of per cent
should be assessed on railway tickets,
and small tax on gasoline and it is
apparent that if these items are
placed in the bill they will provoke a
bitter fight.
Estimates made in the conference
today placed the yield of the proposed
taxes on beer, wines, soft drinks and
a few other articles not specified at
$75, 100000. AS the committee is re-
quired to prepare bill that will bring
in $10O,0O0,OOO there yet remains a
number of articles or utilities to be
selected for purposes of taxation.
In seeking for articles to tax the
committee today considered magazines
as legitimate prey. They also discuss
ed the advisability of levying a tax on
the magazines that accompany many
Sunday newspapers. A Democratic
leader said that purely NOM
inal tax on the periodical press would
yield an enormous revenue. Moving
picture films may also be taxed. It
was suggested that an assessment of
81 thousand feet of films would be
productive of considerable sum.
That tickets issued to baseball
games, theaters and other places of
amusements will be taxed practically
is assured, although final conclusion
in this regard has not been reached.
There appears to be sentiment in
the committee for a small advance in
the rate on whisky and rectifed
spirits. Whisky now pays $1.10 gal
non. If the rate on this product is
increased it will not be beyond $1.25
or $1.50, according to members of the
committee. The argument is made
that while whiskey may pay now
about all the traffic will bear, the
trainers of the law would be placed in
an embarrassing position if they in
creased the rate on beer, levied tax
on wines and soft drinks, and let
whisky go scot free. So the chances
are that for political reasons slight
advance in the rate on whisky will be
authorized.
The big fight in the committee is
being waged over the suggestion that
a tax shall be levied on railway tick
cts. This tax void yield approx.
mately $45,000,000. 1t appeals to the
committeeman because it would be
easily collectible and certain in it's re.
suits. 1t is admitted by Democrats
that the tax would be unpopular, ane
that it might hurt the Forthcoming
election. An alternative proposal i.
that a tax of per cent should b.
levied on freight. This also has beer
attacked.
The committee appears to be almOS
unanimous in it's opposition to tn,
adoption of any plan involving the us'
of stamps by the individual. Sucl
taxes are regarded as vexatious. Ac
cordingly no serious consideration ha
been given up to date to taxes OF
checks or other forms of negotiabl,
paper. Increases in the rates on tn,
income tax law and the levy of an in
heritance tax have been suggested
but they have been given little or n,
| support.
/ eff we had to raise only $4,000,
900" Representative Underwood
chairman of the committee, said to
night, 1--WE could complete our bill in
few hours. We are all agreed 'upol
what should be taxed to raise tina
amount. Many other things have bee
| suggested and upon these there is
disagreement, but we will work out
completed bill this week"