New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-04
SENATE REJECTS
TAX ON CHECKS
Provisions of War Reve-
nue. Bill Changed by
Finance Committee.

Washington. Oct. 3. More changes
in the war revenue hill we're made by
the Senate Finance Committee to-day.
but the measure will not be ready for
submission to the Senate until Tues
day. Several provisions in the House
ill remain to be acted upon.
The question Of the tax on sweet
wines has beer reopened pending the
receipt of further information from
the Secretary of the Treasury ana the
Secretary II Agriculture. IL was init
mated by Republican Senators that the
Democrats will not bring in the war
tax bill until the Clayton antitrust
bill. which has been the subject OF
prolonged controversy, is out Of the
way.
The Finance Committee rejected
the proposal to substitute tax on
checks and other financial instru-
ments as substitute for the House
provision TO tax bank capital and sur
plus The tax on pawnbrokers was
raised from 800 TO $50 and a tax on
commission merchants of $50 was in
serted.
The proposed taX on life insurance
was eliminated The question of the
tax on industrial and casualty insur-
ance remains open. but il is not i'm
probable that this also will be dropped
The proposed tax of 81 a thousand or
bank capital and surplus was retained.
despite vigorous protests by bankers.
The Senate committee provided a
graduated tax for theatres. The rate
for a seating capacity of 800 wss fixed
at $25; from 300 to 500. $50; from 500
to 900, SIS, and above 1000, 500.
The proposed tax on telephone and
telegraph messages 'as retained, but
the method of collection was changed
provision requiring the telephone
and telegraph companies to collect the
tax and render monthly statements was
inserted.
A graduated tax was provided for
tobacco dealers and cigar manufactur-
ers. The rates proposed for the latter
are SlS year If the number OF cigars
manufactured is over 100000 and less
than 100000. and 500 if the number
exceeds 100000. Tobacco dealers are
taxed as provided in the House bill
with the exception that the rates arc
increased to S4S for business up u
S400, 900 year and S96 for business
exceeding $500, 900 year.
The revenue to be derived from the
measure, II - foNiuIhANhf y - ~ ~
proximately S110,000.000. Eliminating
life insurance will mean loss of APP
proXinately 100000. but this will
more than be made up in the tax o.
80 cents per horsepower on automobile
sales. estimated to bring revenue OF
approximately s15,000,000.
The tax on beer remains as IN the
House bill, 81 90 a barrel; that on
sweet wines at 20 cents a gallon; dry
wines, S cents a gallon: gasolene, !
cent a gallon. The House stamp taxes
are retained without change, to bring
an approyimste revenue of S30.OOO,0OO
1t is the hope of Democratic leader
10 reach a vote on the Clayton repor;
on Nonday. The war revenue bill vii!
not be taken up until Tuesday. 1t Is
probable that il will be passed IN time
to permit Of the adjournment OF Con-
gress by October H..
Protests against the tax on automo
bile owners and manufacturers were
presented by Senators Smith and Town
send, of Michigan. for manufacturers
with plants located in their state.
Senator Nardaman introduced anc
had passed a resolution calling upor
the Secretary of the Treasury TO estl'
mate how much could be saved by max
ING proportional deductions from sals
ries of all government employees rang
ing from . per cent on 81, 900 salaries
TO 10 per cent on those above s',oOO'