Evening journal., 1914-04-23
WAR TAX THAT
MAY Be LEVIED
How the Government Would
Obtain Additional
Revenue
WOULD DOUBLE THE
TAX OF LAGER BEER

If the threatened war with Mexico
becomes a reality, the task of solving
the high cost of living problem win
have to be abandoned, temporarily,
at least. Incidentally there will be
cessation Of the crusade against the
liquor traffic and the cause of pro-
hibition will also temporarily suffer.
Had this administration not cut down
the tariff, thereby reducing the rev.
enue of the government many mill
lions, the addition Of an income tax
alone might have been sufficient TO
furnish enough to meet war expendi-
lures; as 1t is, the one is simply an
Offset to the other and It will be in
cumbent on the government to make
other provisions, just as was done
during the Civil and Spanish Wars.
The last war revenue law was passed
in 1898 and remained in force during
the unpleasantness with Spain. For
tunately for the country, the war was
of short duration and the additional
tax imposed was abandoned before It
became very burdensome.
What the average citizen may ex-
pect, If the government finds It neces-
sary to raise more revenue, and the
indications are that It will, is an ad-
dition OF anywhere from ten to TWEEN
ty per cent. to his living expenses
Those. however, first affected are the
dealers in luxuries. Beer catches
it right from the start. The act Of
1898 begins by doubling the tax on
beer. Every barrel Of 81 gallons now
contributes one dollar. This will le
increased to two dollars.
In regular order then come the
following-tha is if the same order Of
procedure is followed as during the
Spanish-American War:
Every banker with a capital not
exceeding $4,000 is taxed $50. and
for every additional thousand. 50
more Brokers must pay $50. pawn
brokers, $40; commercial brokers,
$40 custom house brokers, $40.
Properties of theatres in cities
having more than $4,000 inhabitants,
800; circus proprietors, $780, all
other public exhibitions, $40; proprie-
tors of bowling alleys and billiard
rooms, IS for each alley and table.
In lieu of that now imposed. tax
of - cents per pound is levied on
/ all tobacco, and $3.50 on every 1000
cigars manufactured
in addition, dealers and manufacturers
must pay a special tax ranging from
SO to S24, according to their sales. The
direct tax is collected as now, by means
of stamps placed on all tobacco, cigars
and cigarettes.
Next comes the tax on bonds, de
lbentures or certificates of stock and o.
indebtedness, and, in fact, all negotiable
paper, including checks, notes. bills o
liading. etc, and all mortgages and, il
fact. every agreement which must b
recorded Bills of exchange, letters o
lcredit, payable here or abroad; express
and railroad packages. telephone mes
lsages, telegraph dispatches, conveyances
warehouse entries, life and fire Insurance.
lpolicies other than fraternal, passag'
tickets, protests, warehause receipts
indeed every kind of paper transferred
for which there is consideration j
taxed.
Next in order come the proprietar,
medicines of every description, chew
ing gum, etc. Then an excise TAX OF
persons, firms, companies and cor
porations engaged in refining petrole
um and sugar, legacies and distribu
tive shares of personal property
mixed -four and tea
If after all the impositions cite'
the government needs more money, !
may issue certificates Of indebted
ness up to 100000, 900.