The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-05-09

HOUSE REVENUE
BILL READY FOR
CONSIDERATION
Is Designed to Raise ST. ,800,-
100000 By Taxation This
Year.
FLAT INCREASE I'm
EXISTING TARIFFS
New Revenue from Incomes,
Inheritances and Higher
Tariffs.
(By Associated Press.)

Washington, May "a war revenue
bill designed to raise $1,000, 100000 by
taxation during the coming year was
approved finally in the house ways and
means committee late yesterday by
unanimous vote.
Chairman Kitchin announced thai
the measure will be reported to the
house. to be brought up for considera-
ton Thursday. He thinks 1t will be
passed by the house without political
division within a few days. In the
meantime the senate finance COM
mittee will begin public hearings on
the bill Friday with view to being
ready to report soon after the house
acts.
To bring the amount to be raised
up to the desired total, the house COM
mittee wrote into the bill a flaE in
crease Of 10 per cent in all existing
tariff bills and 10 per cent duties on
all articles now admitted free, all esti-
mated to bring in $240,00O,000, this
more than doubling the present tariff
revenues. In addition it was decided
to make all income tax increases re-
troactive, beginning with the present
calendar year. Other taxes provided
for would become effective upon the
signing of the bill.
The income tax increases, applying
comes, are designed to produce $685.
100000 more than the present income
tax receipts.
New Revenue Sources.
Most Of the new revenue will come
from the income, excess profits, and
inheritance taxes and additional tariff
duties, but the levies Of the bill would
reach into many other sources. Letter
mail rates would be increased from 2
to 8 cents an ounce and postal cards
from l to 2 cents while $4,000, 900
would be added to charges against
newspapers under a new system based
upon the present parcel post zones.
Internal revenue taxes upon liquor and
tobacco would be materially increased
and there would be taxes on amuse-
ments and stamp taxes of wide scope.
Chairman Simmons explained the
committees program in this state
ment:
1.-THE several industries will be ex-
pected to file written statements or
briefs with such condensation as any
be consistent with reasonably
comprehensive statement Of the
grounds of complaint or protest.
"In addition to these statements the
committee will hear oral industry
statements from industries affected.
The time for presenting oral state
ments will be limited to half an hour,
with a few exceptions, but in no case
will exceed one hour. 1t is expected
therefore that the several industries
will select some representative
thoroughly familiar with the subject
to make the presentation in its be-
half.
Hearings Friday will be on war in
come tax, war excess profits tax, war
tax on beverages. These taxes include
distilled spirits, rectifed spirits, beer,
near beer, wines, grape brandy, soft
drinks, mineral waters, syrups. ex-
tracts, etc., war tax on cigars,
cigarets, tobacco and manufactures
thereof
Hearings Saturday will be upon
war tax on facilities furnished by pub
lie utilities, advertising and insurance,
war tax on manufactures including
automobiles, musical instruments,
moving picture Aims, pleasure boats,
cosmetics, chewing gum, ETC., war tax
on admissions and dues. This section
has reference to admissions to places
of amusement and membership clubs.
"On Monday, war stamp tax, war
estate and Inheritance tax:
'If, for any reason, the hearings on
the subjects assigned are not finished
on the day fixed, they will be continu-
ed over until the next day.
1T is desired that all written state
ments should be filed not later than
Tuesday, May ID"