The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-05-29
TOBACCO MERCHANTS
PROTEST HIGHER TAX IA
Association Head, In Annual Re-
port, Declares Industry Can
not Bear Greater Burden.

Protest against any further tax on
the tobacco industry in America was
voiced by President Jacob wertheim'
of the Tobacco Merchants Associa-
ton of the United States. In his re-
port before the first convention OF the
organisation at the willard Hotel
today.
The small ball room OF the hotel
was crowded with tobacco manufac-
turers, jobbers. and retailers from
all sections of the country.
The tobacco men already pay annu-
ally S110.000,000. or approximately
one-seventh of the aggregate revenue
of the Government from all sources,
declared Mr.. wertheim. In view OF
this fact, he argued. there was no
reasonable excuse for additional tax
alton, as 10 proposed. Statistics were
produced in support of the statement
that additional burdens In the way OF
taxes virtually would amount to con-
"Tobacco. Il a luxury" said Mr..
wertheim, "is a necessary luxury,
and is already taxed to the limit. In
this country 31,000.000 people use to-
bacco in one form or another. There
are 42s,87s retailers who sell II, 10000
manufacturers are in business, 1000
farmers raise II, 1,22b,000 acres are
devoted to the culture OF tobacco.
$4,000 wage-earners work In tobacco.
$4,000, 900 is paid annually to toll
ers, and $40. 900, 900 Is annually paid
in taxes by tobacco men,"
For Munitions Tax.
Mr.. wertheim suggested that the
heaviest burden of taxation could
more Justly be borne by those indus
tries which are making large profits
through the sale of munitions and
other war materials. He pointed out
that while practically every commod-
ity has increased in price. the prices
of tobacco products have remained
unchanged.
Commissioner oliver p. Newman, WHIT
made q brief address welcoming the
delegates to the Capital. said that h,
would be glad. indeed. to turn over Il
them the key" to the city, but tina
he didn't consider that Washington hat
key.
This city is not our city" said Mr.
Newman. 1T is your city. 1t Is nationa
as we'll as local. I always feel some
what presumptive to take the attitude
of welcoming you and other organize
tons to the freedom of the city. which
after AL Is your city. I hope that 20,
will feel that II Is your city and maxi
yourselves at home here. and that 20,
will feel the welcome which know tn
In your own line Of business and tn
citizens of the District as a whole ex
tend to you"
Mr.. Newman was presented by Georg
l.. Storm. chairman of the convention
committee. who opened the convention.
All Americans.
Charles Dushkind. who thanked MI
Newman for his welcome to the city
said:
n matters not what industry we ar
engaged in. we are all bound togethe
by one tie, the tie of American citisen
ship and II ia a great pleasure to q
all to be received and entertained b.
the Capital of. this nation. ...-
I'VE have come here to hold our frs
national convention of the tobacco in
dustry." said Mr.. Dushkind. We hav
selected the seat of the Federal Govern
ment for our first convention becaus
as representatives of an industry tha
contributes $40, 100000 year to the ir
come of the Federal Government "
felt that II was proper that we shoul
hold our first convention here"
A feature of the convention will Re
banquet tonight at tho Willard. Thos
scheduled to speak include senator
Harding of Ohio. Reed of Missouri. OIL
yer of Pennsylvania James OF ker
tuckxy Fletcher OF Florida, Congress
men Mann and Fitzgerald, r. Goodwy
Rhett. president of the United State
Chamber of Commerce: Col. @; !
Fox, Murray Hubert, Herbert Kaui
WAN md Wada TT Ellfa