Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-05-18

Tax Measure Becomes a Law-Thou-
sands of Sons and Brothers to Be
Conscripted-Other Newsy Gossip at
the Capital.
Washington. = Especial Correspond
ence. 1.-The CONSUMPTION agreement,
the war tax measure and the espion-
age bill have been the outstanding de-
yelopments In the national capital dur
ing the past few days. These meas
ures bring the var closer to the United
States than any other things that have
have happened since Germany rushed
through Belgium in August, 1914. The
first means that u young men must
fight in the trenches, the second that
everybody must pay his share of the
expenses and the third that everybody
must be careful or get In trouble.
The Harding amendment to the draft
bill providing for four divisions of vol
unteers for Europe, which was pro-
posed to permit Colonel Roosevelt
and others to organize forces for the
trenches in France, was eliminated by
the conferees. The senate conferees
stuck out until the last for the Hard
ing proposition, but the house mem
bers declared they would return to the
house and report a disagreement be-
fore they would entertain that provi-
sion. Senators Chamberlain and War
rem did not favor the Roosevelt plan
at the outset, but when the senate
adopted the Harding amendment they
fought for it in conference. The house
turned down an amendment similar to
the one passed by the senate.
A compromise was reached on the
age limit sections of the two measures.
The bill as agreed to by the confer
nee committee fixes the ages for con-
scription between twenty-one and thir-
ty, both inclusive. The house bill pro-
vided for twenty-one and forty years
and the senate bill twenty-one and
twenty-seven.
Bounties Are Barred.
The senate conferees accepted the
house provision prohibiting the pay
ing of bounties to induce a person to
enlist in the military service or to fur
nish a substitute.
A new provision authorizes the pres
ident to create and establish in the
several states and subdivisions local
boards to heal and determine all ques-
lions of exemption under the act.
The anti-liquor amendment In the
senate bill was changed SO as not to
prohibit the furnishing or giving away
of intoxicating liquors to soldiers in
uniform. The sale of liquors to men
In uniform is prohibited.
Many minor changes were made, but
the fundamental principles Of the draft
feature were not touched at all.
Senator Harding, author Of the
Roosevelt amendment in the senate,
aided by Senator Johnson of California
and others, opposed the conference re-
port and made a fight for the reinstate-
ment of the amendment.
War department officials are prepar-
ed to take immediate steps looking to
the enforcement of the provisions of
the selective draft bill after President
Wilson approves the measure and Is
sues a formal proclamation to the
American people. While neither the
calendar date nor the number of days
for registration under the new law
have been determined by the war de-
partment, both will be embodied in the
presidents proclamation carrying the
law into effect.
The purpose is to present through
the presidential proclamation all infor-
nation necessary for the guidance Of
those who come under the provisions
of the act.
War Tax Bill Provisions.
The following taxes have been agreed
on to go in the wal revenue bill which
was introduced By the ways and means
committee in tie house:
Incomes, individual and corporation:
Increase from 2 to 4 per cent on cor
poration incomes, al increase to 2 per
cent on individual incomes I've $1,000
for single men and $1,000 for married
men and up to q total of 80 per zen Oh
incomes of 100000 and over, to yield
5000, 100000.
Other taxes and what they are ex-
pected to yield follow:
Excess profits, increase to 16 per
cent on profits over 8 per cent and So
900, $150,OO0,000.
Passenger tickets, 10 per cent, $780,
900, 900.
Freight bills, 3 per cent, $70,O00,O00.
Whisky, 1920 a gallon. $105, 100000.
Beer. S2.75 a barrel, $37, 100000.
Miscellaneous stamp taxes. $70,000,,
900.
Rectifed spirits, % cents a gallon,
$12,5OO,OO0.
Wines, present rates doubled, $1,000
600.
Soft drinks, mineral waters, near
beers, ETC., 2 cents a gallon and up.
$2O,OO0,O00.
Automobiles, 5 per cent of price to
dealers at factory, $75,O00,00
Musical instruments, s per cent of
nulna 20, aoa1opc ~ footnru G. 900 nOO