Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-11-07
THE NEW WAR TAX
HELPS WHIP ENEMY
Folks Have to Pay Extra Now
for Postage, Travel, Emuse-
ments, Etc.
REMEMBER, KAISER TO BLAME
But for Prussia's Mad Ambition and
Barbarous Methods, World Prob
ably Would Be at Peace-Don't
Forget income Tax.


Wash ngton-How does the war tax
strike your. How do you enjoy put
ting up three cents instead of two on
all letters sent out of town? How do
you like paying the extra charge for
movies. railroad tickets, kilograms,
long distance phone messages?
And. by the way, If you are single
and earn more than $1,000 a year you
have to pay two per cent tax on all
in excess of the thousand bucks. And
IL you are married, you have to pay
two per cent tax on your annual in
come In excess of $1,000.
Didn't you know that? Well, its
true, and the tax must be paid by
June l, 1918 for the whole year 1917.
II you fail to pay, the government can
exact heavy penalty. But remember,
folks, Ii is al! done to help whip the
kaiser. II the tax makes you
grouchy. cuss the kaiser, don't cuss
our government.
All of the new taxes fall upon the
average man. They have nothing TO
do with the transcription of wealth"
They are a part of the program of
taxation to make each man. woman
and child in the United States feel a
direct personal part in the war. They
apply 10 freight, passenger and OK
press transportation, pipe lines, Pull
man seats and berths, telegraph and
telephone messages, insurance poll
cies, admissions to theaters and
movies" aud TO club dues. The eff
feet OF most of them is felt, therefore,
I'm slight rise in the high cost of
living.
Tile taxes are expected to net the
federal government the following rev.
enues
Freight ranspOrtation. -. SIT, 5O0.NO0
Express transportation. -. 10,O0O.OOO
Passenger transportation. 60,0OO,OOO
Pipe lines $500, 900
Seats and berthS. ..... 1000 600
Telegraph and telephone
messages ............ 100000
Insurance policies ........ 100000
Club dues ......... 1900 600
Admissions ............. 50,O0O.00
The war tax on facilities furnished
by public utilities is now levied as
follows:
Three per cent of the amount paid
for transportation by rail or water or
by any form of mechanical motor pow
er in competition with carriers by rail
or water, on freight consigned from
enc point i'm the United States 10 an
other.
One cent for each twenty cents or
fraction charged by express compa-
MES for transportation from one point
in the United States to another.
Eight per cent Of the amount paid
for the transportation Of persons by
rail or water or by any form of me-
chanical motor power on Il regular
established line in competition with
common carriers, from one point in
the United States to any point in the
United States, Canada or Mexico
where the ticket is issued in the Unit
ed States. No tax is imposed on com
mutation or season tickets for trips
less than 30 miles. or In cases where
the fare does not exceed 80 cents.
Ten per cent of the amount paid
for seats, berths or stateroomS.
If mileage book used for trans
portatiOn or accommodation was pur-
chased prior to November l. 1917. or
If c"sh fare Is paid. the conductor or
agent collecting the fare is required
to collect the tax.
Five per cent on the amount paid
for the transportation Of oil by pipe
line.
Five cents for each telegraph, telc-
phone or radio dispatch originating
In the United States where the charge
is IS cents or more.
The foregoing taxes are paid by the
persons paying for the services or
facilities rendered carrier making
no charge for transporting a commod-
ity because of its ownership thereof,
or for any other reason. is required
to pay tax equivalent to the amount
which would he imposed If Ii received
payment, except In the case of COM
modities which are necessary for its
use in the conduct of its business or
the business of another line constitute
ing a part of the same railroad sys-
tenn. Service rendered to the federal
and state governments Is exempt from
taxation. Persons collecting these
taxes are required to make monthly
returns and monthly payments to the
federal government.
The new ievies upon insurance take
effect in the following manner:
On life insurance, eight cents on
each 500 or fraction of the amount
of the policy, except industrial insur-
ance policies not in excess of $500
issued on the weekly payment plan, in
which case the tax is 10 per cent of
the first weekly premium. Policies OF
reinsurance are exempt.
On marine. inland and fire insur-
auce. one cent on each dollar or frac-
ton of the pre,aium charged under
each policy including renewals. hut
not including policies Of reinsurance
Casualty insurance. one cent on each
dollar or fraction of the premium