The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-23
HEAVIEST BURDEN
FALLS on INCOMES.
British To Sustain Their
Armies In Field.
WAR NOW COSTING
MILLION AN HOUR
Assessments Are Most Drastic and
Far Reaching Ever Levied and
Show Straits Empire Is In TO Main
tain War Footing.

London, Sept. 22.--The budget in
tro1uced in he House OF Commons
yesterday by Reginald McKenna.
another step toward financing the
war, now costing Great Britain nearly
S25. 600 daily. is the greatest in
the worlds history.
New military RECRUITMENT and
changed methods of warfare have
created overnight, additional expendi-
lures which had not been reckoned
with even in the comparatively re-
cent estimates OF David Lloyd George.
the munitions minister, necessitatine
in this budget, the third since the out
break of hostilities. the most drastic
and far-reach'ag taxes in the history
OF the country. and invoking even
free trade.
To Pay Tariff Tax.
Hereafter automobiles bicycles.
moving picture films, clocks. watches.
musical instruments, plate glass and
hats will pay tax Of 80 IL per cent
ad valerem, though. az Mr.. Mckenna
explained. the objects OF such taxation
are purely temporary and without
regard to Il permanent effect on
trade" being primarily designed to
discourage imports and remedy the
foreign exchange situation
Spirits and beer which have been
the subject Of so much agitation, re-
main untouched by the new schedules.
The principal blow falls on incomes.
the existing tax on incomes not only
being jumped 40 per cent but its
scope widene, so as to catch even
workingmen earning as little as s1t
u~aaIs1u Tho We nv
tribute to the government more than
one-third of their revenue.
Increase In Postal Rates.
The one-cent mail will ne abolished
entirely and the weight heretofore
carried in the mails for cents will
be reduced. The rate on kilograms.
which is cents for twelve words. is
Increased to 8 cents. and there is also
to be a proportionate increase in tele-
phone charges.
The sugar tax, though largely in
creased, will mean only an extra penny
per pound burden for the general pub
lie, for the sale Of all sugar is now
regulated by the royal commission.
which will reduce the price to refiners
and dealers
General debate on the budget is yet
to be held. bat 1t was apparent that
Mr.. Mckenna'S suggestions were re-
tPihtI Nv Il virtually uIldHtfipuS HhuSt
The chancellor said incidentally that
he would have occasion to call on the
country for another war loan.
Tax on War Profits.
Mr. Mckenzie in explaining his pro-
posal to tax war and other excess
profits said /, special tax would be
levied on all concerns dealing in war
supplies at tne rate of so per cent
on all profits above s50o. taking the
profits OF the concerns in 1915 as the
basis for levyinc the tax Concerns
With normal urofits Will paw the usual
income tag The chancellor estimated
that the revenues from this source in
n fun year would aggregate
$3.50 900.
The proposed changes in postal
charges will bring in 1875 600 pounds,
In addition % aholishing half-penny
postage, there will be a higher scale
for parcel post. Saving that the
country would start the new financial
year Of ia16-17 with Il dead weight
of 'iedt of 2.200,0000o0 pounds. the
chancellor estimated the revenue. for
next wear at 9s7000 600 pounds.
I'VE have i~ebled our debt and
doubled our taxes he added, 'If the
war continues these proposals can
not he our las: word Our great re-
source is the continued Willingness Of
the people to bear their share"