Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-10-18

WaShington-.Them most remarkable
session in the parliamentary history
of the world" was the way Demo-
cratic and Republican leaders charac-
rerized the first war session of the
Sixty-fifth congress. which came to a
close at three O'Clock in the afternoon
of October 6, exactly six months after
the declaration of war against Ger
many.
The record of legislation enacted
and money appropriated has no paral-
lei anywhere in the annals of all time.
Beginning with the declaration of
war against Germany in April, con-
gress has passed bill after bill of the
most revolutionary character, includ-
ing such measures as the draft bill
and the food control bill. Appropria-
lions and contract authorizations for
the present fiscal year. totalling SOL
390.0OO,OOO including $1,000, 10000 in
loans to the allies, were voted with
out a single dissenting voice, record
equaled nowhere, not even in the
kaiser dominated German reichstag
How Money Is Expended.
The following table shows how the
money is to be spent:
Army Observation-Disclosures s11 900 900
Navy ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. SIS, 900 Oo0
Merchant shipping fieet......-- .sSs. 600 600
Loans the allies 1000 600 600
Defense fund for
President ---.......-... 100. 900 600
Food and fuel control....--. l7s.OooOJo
Soldiers and sailors insurance 1861 900 900
Interest on bonds and certifi-
Gates ooo.ooO.ooo
civil establishment of govern
ment e5s 10000
All other expenses. 100000
As mart of the scheme of meeting
these enormous expenditures congress
passed the 50, $50, 100000 war revenue
hill, the largest taxation bill in Amer
lean history, levying directly or in
directly upon every man, women and
child in the United States. Something
more than a billion dollars of this
amount will be taken from war profits.
All incomes more than $1,000 for sim
gle men and more than $1,000 for mar
ried men are made subject to taxation.
Where New Taxes Fall.
Here are some things upon which
the average citizen will pay taxes I'M
der the new war tax bill:
Approximately per cent increase
on incomes of 5000 or less.
Letter postage, except local letters,
increased to cents and postcards to
, cents. beginning November 8.
One cent for each 10 cents paid for
admissions to amusements
Five-cent shows and 1O-cent outdoor
amusement parks exempted
Ten per cent on all club dues of SO
a year or more.
One cent for each % cents paid for
parcel post
One cent on each % cents express
package charge
Three per cent of all freight charges.
Eight per cent of passenger fares by
rail or water, except trips of less than
30 miles.
Ten per cent of charges for seats,
berth and Staterooms on parlor cars
or vessels.
Five cents on each telegraph. tele-
phone or radio message costing 10
cents or more.
Three per cent on jewelry-
Eight cents on each 500 of life in
surance- The tax on whisky is in
creased from S1-10 gallon to $500.
The tax on beer Is increased from 81 |
barrel to s215.
Increased tax on cigars. cigarettes
and manufactured tobacco and snuff
Little Dissension During Session.
Despite pacifist activities. the Ses- |
sion was marked with comparatively |
little dissension. the fighting centering |
about questions mainly affecting pol |
7cy- The most stubborn contests were |
staged over the revenue bill, the draft I