The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-08-12
The Globe
Published Every Thursday by
GLOBE PRINTING CO., LTD.
c. a. BRANscoM5E, Managing Editor
GEO. A. SMITH, Business Manager
Thursday. August IL. 1915.
SAYS WAR TAX IS FRAUD.

Washington, Aug. S, Especial corre-
spondence.) A large free list, not the
European war, was mainly responsible
for the falling revenues during the last
fiscal year Advance figures issued by
the department of commerce show that
the value of our imports for the fiscal
year 1915 was 81 GA, 220.740, which yield
ed a revenue Of $209, 26S, 900. or an aver
age ad valorem rate of 1915 per cent
on all imports, compared with $685.
O25,000 for 1914. the first year OF the
Democratic tariff law, which yielded
1922 1928. 500. an average ad valorem of
1874 per cent In other words, with
our huge German and Austrian compe-
tition practically prohibited, expectation
from all the rest of the world curtail-
ed. and embargoes on food products and
raw materials from Australia. New Zea-
land, Egypt and many other countries.
we imported in 1915 only about $780,
OOO. 600 less than was imported during
the first year of the Democratic tar
III law.
II to this sum OF $500 0O0, 900 the av-
erage ad valorem for that year be APP
plied-125 per cent--it is plain that
the loss in revenue due to the war up
to June 30 last was but $27, 500, 900. The
prime reason for the decrease in rev.
enues was not due to decreased impor-
tations, but to the fact that more
goods were coming in under the free
list. July, 1914, was normal month
under the Democratic law; so the $220,-
600 900 decreased importations must be
charged to the II months, August, 1914.
to June, 1915, inclusive, an average
monthly decrease of s200O0.000. Al
this rate, the decrease in importations
July to December, next--six months
would be 1920 900 900, making a total
loss of importations which the Demo-
Gratis might consistently charge to the
war of almost $340 100000 for the II
months. AT the Democratic average
ad valorem rate for 1915-12.5 per cent
this would mean a total loss in rev.
enue for II months of war Of $42 500, 900
Or, going even farther, and applying
the higher average ad valorem for 1914
under Democratic law--15.4 per cent
and the total loss in revenue due to
the war would be $50, 100000.
On September 4, 1914. the president
In a message orally delivered to congress
appealed for additional taxation of the
people to the amount of 500, 900, 900, al
though possessed Of ample authority tC
issue bonds for that amount. He based
revenues were falling off due to the
war. Mr.. Underwood forced through
congress what was Familiarity known as
the war revenue" measure, which bur-
dened the people with sos, 900 900 addi-
tional taxes. 1t was not a war measure
nor was 1t necessary measure, II
was cloak to cover the deficiencies
OF the Underwood tariff law, which
had failed, and was rapidly becoming
more impossible, as an adequate rev.
enue producer In normal times The
bill was passed after a bitter fight
Every man who had to pay that tas
will recall the manner Of Its admins.
tration when he votes next year. i
was to run for a year.
On June 80 last, 1t was estimated
that the treasury department. had col
lected $51 900, 900 of this war tax-near-
ly as much as the entire loss of rev.
enue for the period up to December next
which could conceivably be laid to ths
war;. and at the higher average ad va
loren rate of 1874 per cent. But they
are going right on collecting the tax
not because of decreased importations
which are again back to Democratic moi
NAL, but because more and more goods
are coming in free, or at the lowest
rates of duty.
Having relied on the war DOGGY Il
distract the attention OF the country
from the real reason for declining rev
enues, the Democrats then turned
around and appropriated for the fisca
year 1916 something over $500 ,O0'
more than was appropriated by the las
Republican congress. Was ever such {
Janus-faced political incubus wished OF
a suffering people as the Democrati,
party?