Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-05
NEW WAR TAX BILL GOES
into EFFECT THURSDAY
Congress Considering InSur-
anCe and Deficiency Bills
Before Adjournment


taxes. designed TO raise two and a hals
billion dollars under the provisions o.
the revenue bill signed yesterday D.
President Wilson, went into effect
today.
IL has been estimated by the treasury
depa rtment and the senate finance com
m;ttee that the law during the first
year OF its operation VIII raise from
Individual and corporate incomes $751;
OOo 600: excess profits, $1,000, 600, 0O0;
distilled spirits sl35,OO0 goo; tobacco,
cigars and cigarettes. SCI. SOC. 0OO: trans
portstion s60.OOO.000; amusement ad-
missions. $5O.OOO.OO0 and automobiles
and motorcycles si0.00O.0U0.
Business and professional men and
sslaried men as well, who have incomes
of more than $4,000 a year, face a war
profits tax of per cent in addition to
the income surfaces, under the pro-
visions of a section which has been dis
covered in the war tax bill.
Within two months the buying public
viii be paying over the counter, through
ticket windows of various kinds-and
almost everywhere else the levies under
the Sass, 100000 revenue bill, now a
law.
Throughout the land today the high
cost of drinking mounted higher with
additional taxes on hard, soft and
medium beverages effective Immediately.
Everything from champagne to sarsapa-
rilla and soda fountain syrups is hit by
the new tax. Drinking costs rose about
rs per cent here today.
Automobile owning, with a tax of 8
per cent Of the sale price, becomes more
costly Immediately. Also such beauti-
fiers as jewelry and cosmetics and re-
liefs in the form Of pills. patent med
icines and chewing gum are hit today.
Sporting goods, motor boats, estates,
inheritances, incomes, war profits and
other luxuries Of the wealthy are taxa
BILE Immediately. Smoking may also be
more costly within thirty days when
added taxes on tobacco. cigars and
cigarettes are olamped down. ranging
from So to 81 thousand on cigars and
ranging from so cents to s1.2o thou
sand on cigarettes. Even snuff users
will suffer.
On November 1 also the tax on freight
and express packa ges-1 cent for each
20 cents charged-becomes effective, to-
gether with a 10-cent levy on the COM
forts OF berths, seats or staterooms on
a Pullman
Every telegram, telephone or wireless
message costing more than 10 cents
after November 1 will bear a scent tax,
and taxes Of cents on each 800 Of
life insurance and 1 cent on each dollar
of fire insurance also begin.
With a tax on movie" and 'legiti-
mate" theaters after November 1 of 1
cent on eacn 10 cents admission
charged, the cost Of looking them
over either on the screen or in the
pony" row promises TO mount The
usual New Years outbreak will be moro
expensive with a new tax on table
reservations. It will cost a tax toll
equivalent to 10 per cent of the dues to
join a club after November 1.
Stamp taxes on bonds. promissory
notes, bills of sale and playing cards
become effective December l, as does
the 1-cent tax on parcels post pack
ages costing % cents or more
The additional 1 cent on letters is
effective November /, but the addi-
tional second-class postage is not effec-
tive until July 1. 1918.
Money-raising bills being disposed of,
congress will adjourn Saturday.
With a program calling for adjourn
ment of CONGRESSES war session not la
ter than Saturday, the leaders today
were prepared to carry out their plans
to that end. Initial action on the
question was to come inthe house on a
resolution by Representative Kitchin,
when arrangements for the final ad-
jOurnment at p. m. Saturday. The res
olution was prepared by Mr.. NiKtchin
following a conference yesterday with
Senator Martin, when arrangements for
the final adjournment formalities were
completed.
The senate's action in agreeing TO
take final action on the administration
soldiers and sailors insurance bill and
adoption of the conference report on
the war deficiency appropriation bill
FASTENED the date of adjournment.
Only two important measures, the
military insurance and the deficiency
bills. remain for final disposition he
fore the session ends.
With the final vote on the admins
tration soldiers and sailors insurance
bill set for late today. the senate this
morning resumed deba,e on the mea-
sure. Passage of the bill virtually IS
assured after which it will go to con-
ference where a speedy agreement is
anticipated.
, The conference report on the last of
the big war appropriation bills for this
session OF congress. the SITES, 124, 900
deficiency measure, was adopted by the
house today after brief discussion and
the bill now is ready for the presidents
signature.
AS agreed upon IN conference, the bill
carries the largest amount, It s said.
ever appropriated by any government 1T
any time. 1t provides for the disburse-
ment OF 5,s55,976.O16 in cash ara
grants authorization Of SO. 401. ASS, 1893 in
contracts The funds viii be devoted al
most entirely 10 the payment of war
expenses.