The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-09-08
IN IOXlCANTS HIT HARD
But Where to Get the Balance
OF the Hundred Million Wor-
rles Members. Who Do Not
Want to Do Anything That
Might Turn Out a Political
BIunder

by the Associated Press
Washington, u. {, Sept. 5.-Demo-
cratic members of the Ways and
Means Committee virtually agreed to-
day upon commodities susceptible To
special taxation TO realize 100000
of the $1,000 900 requested by
President Wilson 10 offset the toss in
customs receipts caused by the con-
let in Europe. What shall be taxed
to raise the other $25. 00o, 600 has not
been decided. scores of commodities
and means OF taxation being proposed.
The committee Viii meet next Tues
day and expect TO complete the bill
mex week.
Although no announcement was
made, 1t is certain that beer and fer
mented liquors Will come first among
the articles taxed. The additional
beer tax Will be either fifty or sixty
cents "a barrel, probably fifty cents.
producing 1872. 900, 900 a year. A tax
of 20 cents a gallon is probable on do
mestic wines. bringing in from $40
600 600 to $4,000, 900.
From a tax on proprietary medi-
cineS and preparations IF all kinds
and on soft drinks it is hoped to raise
approximately $40, 600, 900. while a
small additional tax or distilled
liquors, probably not Jnore han 10
cents on a gallon, would bring the
total tax on whiskieS, etc, to 1925 a
gallon. From these sources, it is
estimated, $4,000, 900 would be as
sured.
No Railway Ticket Tax.
So severe was the opposition 10
a tax on railroad tickets among COM
mittee members, chiefly because of
it appropriately and probable political
effect, the further consideration is un-
likely. An alternative to tax rail
road freight has been suggested, but
this, it has been pointed out, would DO
expensive and difficult to collect.
1t also is improbable that there Will
be any stamp tax on commercial in
strumentS, such as checks, drafts, con-
~VeyanceS, mortgages, etc. Nearly all
members of the committee agree that
such a tax would require too much
administration detail.
Tobacco to Be Exempt.
The majority of the committee also
opposed and additional tax on tobacco.
! because Of the burden it now bears.
There is some urgency however for d
r graduated tax on cigars, according to
value, from which it is asserted large
increases in revenue could be procur-
> ed.
Among new subjects for taxation
seriously discussed by the Conmitte.
were monthly and weekly magazines
and periodicals., including magazines
I circulated tnfOuSn Sunud3 HtWSpd-
| pers. 1t was proposed to levy a tax
: on circulation at a given figure per
thousand. \ tax on automobiles also
+ is being considered, either an excise
tax on the manufactured machines, a
o tax based on the horsepower or d
tax on cars owned by individuals.
Taxation of moving picture films "a
we'll as theater and amusement tick
+ cts has been suggested. The latter
would include moving picture theater>
8 at a fraction of a cen per ticket t6
Q be paid by the amusement license.
IF we only had to raise $4,000
600" said Representative Underwood
chairman of the committee tonight
we could complete our bill iii a few
hours. We are all agreed upon whar
should be taxed to raise that amount
Many other things. have been sug
gested and upon these there Is a dis
2 agreement, but we will work out .
IS completed bill next Week
n Several committee members belleF'
Il an income tax increase would be wise
\ They propose that the rate be al
V vanced from one per cent on income
= in excess Of $4,000 to one and on
= half per cent.
one advocate Of this IS Representa-
tive Hull, of Tennessee. author Of tn
is income tax section Of the tariff act
mig Mr.. Hull, accompanied b
m Representative Collier, OF Mississippi.
also a member of the ways and inca.
II committee. consulted President WI
son. They discussed the income IA
le proposal and told the President tn
committee had found differences G
opinion as 10 means OF raising the eh
tire 500, 600. 900 requested. The Pres
g dent told them he believed il abso
a Iutelv necessary to procure the entir
= AMOUNT.