New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-06
Motion Picture Films,
Beer and Spirits Sure
to Bear Imposts.
SUNDAY PAPERS AND
MAGAZINES INCLUDED
Patent Medicines Expected to
Raise S2O,OOO,OOO Autos
Under Consideration.
From The Tribune Bureau.

Washington, Sept. o Without reach
ing complete agreement. Democrats
of the Ways and Means Committee
wrangled for several hours to-day over
the proposed bill to raise the $780,
100000 revenue which President Will
SOL yesterday called for in a special
message. When the Democratic con-
ference adjourned tonight until Tues
day il had been practically decided
that Mr.. Underwoods proposal for an
internal revenue tax on railroad tickets
shall be abandoned, mainly for politi-
cal reasons.
The Underwood suggestion for a taS
on gasolene also is slated for aban-
donment. That beer is to bear large
share of the emergency taxation bur-
den is settled, but tentative agree
ment has been reached that the added
tax shall not exceed so cents a barrel,
which should produce $32,O00,O0O a
year. 1t is estimated that $S5,000,000
to $40,000,000 can be raised by a CO.
cent increase. Wines are also sehed-
uled for taxation, but if whisky bears
an additional tar It is ns~ planhsd
-ShaR the increase shall not be more
than 10 cents a gallon.
Reports of big profits IN the moving
picture business led the Democrats Of
the committee to 60 cunning to-day for
that industry. A tax on all motion
picture films is regarded as certain,
but the majority members are still in
disagreement as to the amount Of the
tax, and whether it shall be levied on
an ad valorem or specific basis. The
committee members to-day obtained
statistics indicating that no more than
S4,50O,000 annually would be raised by
a slight tax on motion picture tickets,
and films are now slated for assess
ment rather than the ticket Office.
Stamp Tax Unlikely.
Proprietary medicines and soft drinks
were favorably discussed to-day as ar
ticles which would raise at least $780,
100000, and the emergency bill prob
ably will include these items. There
was general opposition in committee TO
the restoration of the old stamp tax or
bank checks and similar instruments,
although the Democrats are consulting
the Spanish war tax act Of 1893 and
will eventually borrow some Of the leg
islaton therein.
The committee also looked with ap
proval to-day on tentative proposal
for a tax on magazines, including Sun
day magazine supplements, carried Dy
newspapers.
Much wrangling occurred in the con-
ference to-day over the suggestion to
tax railroad tickets, and Mr.. Under
wood. who favored this, has lost out.
Representatives Kitchin and Garner et.
fectivcly argued that such a tax would
work evil politically to the Democratic
partv. II would turn against the party,
they contended, not only the commut -
of the big cities but the commercial
salesman and the occasional traveller
in the rural districts. Every ticket
agent, they vehcmently asserted, will
perforce become an unconscious knock
or" of the administration.
Tt would work like this" said per-
turbed Democrat. "The traveller, de-
manding TO know why his ticket cost
more, would be informed by the ticket
agent that the Democrats have LEVIED
a tax on all railroad transportation,
The traveller would then take the road
and lambast us"
Fear of the wrath of the farming
communities, confronted with tax on
-, 60 10
Convinced the Ways and Means Com
mittee members that it would be inn
politic to assess this product. While
II was contended by Mr.. Underwood
that the railroad ticket tax would be
casy Of collection, no argument OF this
kind may be advanced concerning gaso-
lenC. -. 49,, II,
bo any stamp tax on commercial in
struments, such as checks, drafts, con,
vevances, mortgages, etc. Nearly all
members of the committee agree that
such a tax would require TOO much
administrative detail.
Tobacco ImpOst Sufficient.
The majority Of the committee also
oppose an additional tax on TOBACCO
beecuse of the burden it now bears
There is some urgency however LOT
a graduated tax on cigars, ACCORDING
70 value. from which it is asserted
large increases in revenue could be
procured.
sidered. either an excise tax on the
manufactured machines, a tax based on
the horsepower or a tax on cars owned
by individuals. oo am ),
"If we only had to raise s75.oOO,oOo,"
said Representative Underwood. chair
man of the committee, tonight, we
could complete our bill in few hours;
We are all agreed upon what should
be taxed to raise that amount. Many
other things have been suggested, and
upon these there is q disagreement,
bu. we will work out completed bill
/ uext yvaak -