Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-11-03

residents-business men as we'll as the
individual units Of the great army Of
coneumers-began to feel more efec-
lively than ever before tho pinch OF
the war. in an economical sense.
True, the war has been felt" hero
the retail prices Of practically every
commodity on tho market have soar
cd necessarily.
They who can find consolation in
the knowledge that prices will soar
still more, are welcome to do 80, ac-
cording to the views Of q large num-
Der Of local consumers.
The war tax bill. approved. by the
president on october 81 and going into
effect yesterday, provides that extra
tax burdens are levied on nearly YER
article which Is used in everyday life.
The country needs money for the car
rying on Of the war, and the people,
therefore, must support the nation
sven beyond their apparent ability.
It is q privilege to patriots.
So there you are: No kicks accept
ed!
Lnxuries Hit.
Tho new law has q special prefer
ence for so-called luxuries. Some Of
them have been with US so long that
they are considered necessaries. but
when thoughts revert to the age Of
our forefathers, 1t Is easy enough to
see that the so-called necessities Of
this day were no even. dreamed Of
then. So why should not the present
age >be in a position to either pay
heavily for its luxuries-or let them
alone? Cosmetics and such things
will be affected. Whether or not these
articles may be classified as luxuries
must be determined by the individual
purchaser who has the price.
Perfumes, essences, toilet waters,
extracts, v~aselines, petroleums, hair
oils. .pomades, tooth and mouth wash
es, dentifrices. hair %restorers, dyes, tot
let soaps and powders. ETC.. ETC., have
been additionally taxed to the exte1t
of 8 per cent.
Local druggists who retail large
quantities Of goods Of this nature,
said today that prices may. not rise
future purchases from the manufac-
turers. The burden Of the extra taxa
ton will be felt when stocks are be-
ing replenished on r~e-ordering OF
goods from the manufacturers. The
same principle applies to drugs in q
general way.
Other Luxuries Affected.
Musical Instruments. by some desig-i
mated as luxuries. by others as. neces-
stiles. will also fell the burden. A 8
per cent war tax has been placed on
piano players. graphophones. phono-
graphs. records for such instruments.
etc. a.
Local dealers in' musical inustru-
ments were not ready today to discuss
their business. but the. Idea was pre-
valent that the wholesalers would be
the chief sufferers under the legisla-
ton. A few dealers were prepared to
say that as oon al the law has been
definitely interpreted. they will act
accordingly but for the time being
they are rather inclined to hold the
matter in allegiance.
Smoking Articles Taxed.
The truth seeker who gEopes for
light in solving the problem as to
whether Or not tobacco and cigars are
considered luxuries or necessities Is
rather baffled at the divergence Of
opinion he. hnds while seeking. So,
that matter mtst- e -as-ft-fs-teday,
and it will be sufficient for the pres
ent purposes to indicate what the gov
eminent thinks.
Cigars upon which formerly 9 tax
Of rs cents per thousand was levied.
now must yield rs cents in additional
war tax. The ordinary scent cigar Is
required to surrender to the govern
ment 81 war tax in addition to the
already ex1St1nS TAX OF ID per tnOu.
sand. and the 1o-cents cigar. former
Ily taxed at So per thousand. is now
taxed at Sc. Cigarettesw which are not
on, sale in this state. will also be ma
| terially affected. Smoking and chew
ling tobacco will be hard hit, and the
customer who loves his weed must
either swear off, or sacrifice q little
more Of his weekly allowance in order
to keep up his Indulgence in the fra
grant enjoyment.
~, This is nothing surprising. Cigars
and tobacco have advanced steadily
during the past year, and they will
cost more in the future.
Tobacco-which hitherto has been
furnished in 10-cents tins. now will
be sold at II IL cents per tin. or rs
| cents for two. But radical changes In
the prices prevailing on he local to-
bacco market will not be effected until
all Of the tobacco dealers have had a
conference for the purpose Of dis
GUESSING their attitude. They will then
agree on joint action. and the only
possible way in which the consumer
can avoid being toe t~ragieally affected
will be by cutting down his daily
consumption of smoking articles.
Chewing tobacco seems to be favor
ed particularly by msmbSrs Of con