The Washington herald., 1917-02-04
TAX LUxURIES TO PAY DEFICIT
Would Raise Duties on Jewels and
Ostrich Plumes.

|
Editor The Washington Herald: Up,
up with the high cost of living; down
with the consumerl The destruction
OF the poor is their poverty" The con-
sumer of necessities has no friends.
Let's bang him. The war bridegrooms'
are fastening to their haven with their
hoard. Why despoil them of their
quick gotten profits?
A deficit in revenue of more than
100000 is facing the United States
treasury. At once the plan is urged
upon Congress to increase the duties
on necessities like sugar, wool, coffee.
| rubber, etc.
Why not raise the tax on imported
injuries? In 1915. according to the
Commerce Reports, there was brought
into the United States importations OF
precious and semi-precious stones
amounting to S15.000,000, paying an
average duty of II per cent. In 1916
Sa4, 100000 came to our shores. To this
add gold and silver manufactures to
the tune of s3,000,o00.
This is a free country. If people
with surplus money want to spend 1T
on these foreign luxuries. let them do
SO. But let them pay for it. Put duties
| OF 100 per cent and 200 per cent on
imported luxuries. This will not deter
the well-to-do from buying them. 1t
Will only increase the inducements to
have them No luxury was ever taxed
out of existence. Increased taxation
only enhances it's value in the eyes of
Its purblind devotees. Meanwhile, gov
ernment, which means you and /, will
derive revenue. and the overwhelming
burden on the shoulders of the wage
Garner and the salaried man will be
somewhat relieved.
There are other articles of idle lux
ury. Take ostrich feathers. II women
must have this costly means of decora-
tion to enhance their natural charms,
let them pay for it. In 1911 $1,000 900
! OF crude feathers were imported from
South Africa. paying a duty of but 20
per cent Why should not such a lux
ury pay 100. 200. even 500 per cent?
To him that hath shall be given! Why
should the poor perpetually pay?, If
the plethoric piper must have his
pleasures and pastimes. why not let
him pay for them?
Enlightened self-interest is the keynote
of modern economics as well as philan-
| thropy.
Since our solons are scraping the legts-
| lative bins for new sources of revenue,
| let them consider this. Under the pres
ent tariff act, importation OF plumages.
! like paradise and gourah from the jungles
| of Sumatra and the Celebes, Is prohibit
| ed There apparently Is no dearth of
them, however. in this country View the
| gorgeous window displays and the stylish
headgear OF fashions throngs on Fifth
avenue any afternoon. But lately the
newspapers announced the sentence in a
| Federal court of a ships steward for
| smuggling in $4,000 worth. II women are
| going to have these plumages, let them
come in through the regular legitimate
| channels, and let them pay revenue to
the government. Being excessive luxury,
| let them too, pay excessive revenues.
searching survey OF the luxury i'm
ports like silks. furs, costly fabrics, etc.
will soon show our worrying legislators
how this $500 900. 900 deficit can very easily
be made up by those best able to pay it.
And from him that hath not, shall be
| taken even the little that he hath" Why
| pile everything on the back OF the un-
resisting consumer, poor and inarticu-
late!
Let the Legislators shift somewhat the
| load now straining the wincing shoulders
! OF the CALLED jade, For once let's play
that happy little game. passing the eco
| nomic buck. in the backyard of the WELL
| to-do. yclept hard-to-do.
Let's apportion the economic burden
more equitably, and We'll all be happier
Hands of the necessities!
Make UP the Federal deficit through in
! creased taxes on imported luxuries.
B. VI. BRIGGS.
| New York City.