Evening journal., 1916-07-19
MILLER AND THE OMNIBUS REVENUE BILL.


NxTHEN the Omnibus Revenue bill up for consid-
w Grafton in the House Of Representatives, one Of
the ablest speeches delivered against 1t made by
Thomas w Miller. the young and popular Congress
man from this State. who has done so many telling
things since he elected two years ago. Mr. Miller
is a Republican; the House is strongly Democratic
The fact that he stood in such uncongena atmos-
phere did not deter tho young Delaware statesman
from expressing his views the Democratic revenue
raising measure that has aroused such outcry OF
protest in this and other States He did II with
franlness and a forcofuness that commanded the at
tention of both sides Of the House and won for him
the congratulations Of many Of his colleagues
That Mr. Miller had the interests Of the people of
Delaware in mind when he delivered his speech is
shown by close painstaking and intelligent discussion
of those features of the bill providing for the
taxing Of manufacturers OF explosives. He said in
part:
Another section Of this bill to which desire TO adj
dress myself is the munton manufacturers tax. There
Is no denying the TACT that the people OF my State VIII
be affected by the provisions of this muniton section
and are just as much and as vitality Interested in its
provisions as are the people Of Arizona and Montana in
the copper tax. Coming from the State of Delaware
may be said TO be prejudced. but granting that
feel that is my duty present facts the other
side Of the question Of the munton tax / have no
hesitancy in saying that In my opinion number Of
the provisions in this bill taxing the makers OF mun-
tions of almost conhscatory in their effect
realize full well that the temper of this body ini-
mica to this great industry located in part within my
word
munitions" or powder almost drives certain OF our
friends the floor into a franzy which may explain
why certain industries in the munitions trade taxed
with vicousness that amounts to almost penaliza-
tion.
Having compared the method by which gunpowder
and other explosives are taxed in comparison with
other munitions of which untaxed il might be
IN order TO Illustrate further inequalities as compared
with other material classed munitions on which
the bill provides tax Why should dollar received
rom gunp9Wder or some other explosive, bear taS
Of per cent while dollar received from the that
burns this gunpowder bears tax Of only per cent.
and the copper for shell cases but per cent?
The value Of almost every product entering into
the manufacture Of gunpowder and other explosives
has advanced many times since the outbreak Of the
war The value of copper has than doubled bu
there has been no material increase in the cost o
production Il interesting note the increase ii
the cost OF various chemicals used in the powder in
ousuy sueh as oenzol. originally selling for 20 cents
per gallon, now so cents. tolud which has advanced
from 20 cents to $4 per gallon: and fumne sulphur
acid from SIS to $3.50 per ton
Let us consider the Of cotton that has beer
nsea since the outbreak Of the war and which is ne
cessary for the manufacture of explosives Comini
from State that lies almost wholly sonb os the NIaso
ana Dixon line, can not be accused of sectionalisn
when call attention TO the great nrosnerit, tbst mus
nave accrued to the Southern States by reason Of tn
use OF cotton in this industry Before this great nro
duct of the South commenced to he used ~ -. ~
quantities than ever before used for the uanufactur
Of powder the situation in the openin month
or the European war seriously threatened the prosper
ity OF the Southern States because the iniurv 10 IN
cotton trade by reason Of the We an remembe
the campaign to "buy bale Of cotton" A few montt
ago the house passed q JOINT resolution authorZin
directing the Director Of the Census TO collect an
publish additional statistics with respect cotton an
! remember at the time one OF about eight r
publicans who voted for this measure the roll co
in spite Of the fact that certain proponents Of Il
measure asserted that certain industries existing in
State were fighting the bill for ulterior reasons
thought il proper that the public should know just he
much cotton being used in the manufacture OF G
plosives. Since that time ] have taken the trouble
find out the correct figures as 70 the amount OF CO
ton used The figures of the estimates show that o
of these powder companies has used over 6VOOUO ba
of cotton of all grades from December 1914 up 10
including May 1916 and in addition thereto other
milton manufacturers and purifiers OF cotton Tor I
manufacture of munitions have used as much as 50
ooo bales almost 100000 bales in all This cotte
which has sold az high as cents per pound. advanc
from per pound in some grades, has mea