Middletown transcript., 1917-11-10

sunk, and that the German claims as
70 tonnage sunk by submarines are
grossly exaggerated. In the course OF
his address he said he could see no
signs of an early peace.
No news of Importance came from
the sector where General Pershing's
men are on the front line. The first
member of the expedition to be wound
ed in the trenches was a lieutenant OF
the signal corps. His injuries were
not serious.
American War Taxes In Effect.
November 1 brought to the Ameri-
can people sharper realization Of the
financial burdens of the war, for on
that day the following war taxes be-
came effective:
On admissions to all places OF
amusement except religious and chari-
table entertainments and shows whose
maximum charge is 5 cents and out
door shows in amusement parks charg-
ing 10 cents or less. cent for each III
cents or fraction thereof. Children un-
der twelve charged flat tax of ! cent.
On dues Of all clubs with dues Of
S12 per year or more. except fraternal
orders on the lodge system, 10 per
cent Of amount Of dues.
On all freight. per cent.
One cent for every 20 cents or frac-
ton thereof for express packages.
Railroad and boat fares. except sea-
son and commutation tickets for 30
miles or less or individual fares Of 80
cents or less s per cent of amount.
On seats. berths and staterooms on
cars or boats, 10 per cent.
On oil delivered by pipe line, 5 per
cent Of charge.
On telephone. telegraph or radio
message costing Is cents or more, D
cents per message.
On all the insurance, 8 cents tor
each 800 of new insurance, except in
dustrial insurance for $500 or less,
which bears 40 per cent of the first
weekly premium. For each dollar or
fraction thereof Of fire, marine, inland
or casualty insurance, l cent.
On cigars, 25 cents to 81 per thou
sand; on cigarettes, so cents to $1.20
per thousand; on tobacco and snuff, 6
cents per pound; on cigarette papers,
one-half to 1 cent per hundred.
The increased postal rates went into
effect on November 2.
Food Prices Under Control.
On the other hand, Thursday was
welcomed by the consumer, for then
it was that the licensing OF wholesale
grocers and other food producers went
into effect This is supposed to bring
about q considerable reduction in the
prices Of the nations food, for Mr..
Hoover and his aids fix the wholesale
prices, and then control the retailers
by not permitting wholesalers to sell
| to those who seek to obtain extortiOn-
ate prices from the consumers. The
| whole thing is very complicated and
will require several weeks to get into
smooth running order, but 1t promises
| to be effective. All citizens are re-
| quested to report any instances OF
"profiteering," and these will be at
tended to promptly.
The licensing system was applied
also to. the live stock and packing In
| dustries, the government thus assum-
ing control Of the nations meat busi'
ness with the intention of reducing
prices and conserving supplies.
The nation has entered heartily into
| the spirit of meatless and wheatless
days, only pro-Germans and the almost
equally culpable selfish ones refusing
to deny themselves to that extent fol
| the benefit of the common cause Of civ
ilization.
Another good step taken by Mr.
Hoover was the closing Of the Mgir
board of trade, which for half cen
tury has been arbitrarily fixing buttel
prices for the country.
Another Luxburg Expose.
Secretary Lansing last week pub
nshed two additional kilograms sen
by Count Luxburg to the German for
eign office, revealing plainly Ger
many's aims to overthrow the Monro'
doctrine and obtain a foothold II
South America, especially South Bra
zil, as the first step in subjugating th'
entire continent. Luxburg alluded t.
the people Of South America as ind
ans under a thin veneer" Both Argen
tina and Chile may now be forced t.
declare their attitude.
The federal trade commission has Is
sued regulations under which enemy
owned patents and copyrights will b.
licensed for manufacture by citizen
of the United States. The order at
fects some 10000 articles, including
salvarsan and other drugs, dyestuf
formulas and important mechanical
devices.