The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-09-19
TAX ON LUXUR|ES
IS BOOSTED HIGH

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18.-(By AS
sociated Press. ALI of the principal
tax provisions of the new war revenue
bill were approved by the house today
almost as fast as two clerks working in
relays could read them. With only a
few minor provisions and amendments
now to be considered, leaders believe a
final vote will be reached Friday, with
possibility that it may come tomorrow.
No Objections Made.
After adopting within an hour the war
excess profits provisions without change,
the house passed important sections
raising many millions of dollars without
a word of objection or even discussion.
Every amendment proposed either was
rejected surnmarily or passed over so
that the ways and means committee can
consider them before final action is
taken.
Besides the war excess profits pro-
visions, which yield the greatest returns
to come from the bill provisions adopted
today were taxes on estates estimated to
raise $110,0O0,000; transportation, $751;
100000; amusement admissions, $780,
100000; excise taxes, including automo-
biles, jewelry, luxuries and semi-lux-
uries, $518,0OO0OO; beverages, $1,137,-
OOO,OOO; tobacco, $341 ,OOO0OO capital
stocks, $70,000,000; the federal automo-
bile license provision, $72,o30,00O, and
stamp taxes, $o2,000,0O0.
Discuss Luxury Taxes.
The luxury taxes caused some discus
sion, some members contending the bills
rates too low and others that they are
too high. An amendment by Represen-
tative Platt of New York to reduce the
1uxuries rate from 20 to 80 per cent was
defeated
The house approved without debate
the doubled tax on beer, So barrel; the
wine tax schedule, raising $4,000, ,0OO
and the tax on insurance policies. The
distilled spirits section increasing the
rate from $500 to So gallon on bev-
erages and estimated to raise SOS, 5,2OO,-
900, was adopted. The doubled tax of
80 cents on rectifiers also was passed.
Other provisions approved without
of the reading clerks in
c1uded the new 30 per cent tax on "near
beer" and similar beverages; the 20 per
cent tax on grape Juice, root beer, min
eral waters and other soft drinks sold
oy the manufacturer, and the new tax OF
cents on each 10-cent sale at soda
ice cream parlors and similar
SOFT drink retail eSIdDllSHlllelllS.
Doubled Cigar Taxes
The doubled cigar and cigarette taxes
also were passed with scant debate. The
doubled tax of 2 cents paid for amuse..,
nent admissions, cabarets,. "scalpers"
tickets, theaters and private boxes, and
-he doubled tax of 20 per cent on club
1ues, we're adopted without comment.
Reaching the excise or luxury taxes
he increase from to S per cent in the
AK on commercial automobile manu
;acturers' sales and the increase from
TO 10 per cent on pleasure automobiles,
tires and accessories were
approved without debate, as were the
-ates on pianos and other musical instru-
nents, athletic goods, chewing gum,
ANDY, cameras, Photographic films and
plates and many other articles.
Representative Greene of Iowa gave
notice that tomorrow he would offer the
.hild labor amendment to place pro-
1ibitive tax on products made by lmna-
ure children.
The 2 cents a gallon on gasoline was
approved without discussion.
Propose Tax on Cotton.
The most important matters remain
ng to be disposed of are the proposal to
ak cotton So bale and to impose
,er cent tax on products of child labor.
The cotton tax was formally proposed
oday by Representative More of Penn
ylvania, and the amendment met spirit
d and instant opposition. The leaders
redicted tonight that the proposal would
'e rejected.
Other provisions deferred for action
omorrow by the ways and means COM
nittee of the house include:
The clause levying $40 annually on
roprietors of any trade, business or
rofession whose gross receipts are over
1000.
The section levying per cent on gross |
Exempt Statesmen From Tax.
eceipts of automobiles used for hire. ]
An amendment by Representative !
Wood of Indiana to exempt travelling (;
a1esmen from the 500 annual brokers' {
cense tax.
An amendment by Representative
roadway of Massachusetts to levy III
ar cent on gross receipts from bill
,ard. street car, electric sign and SINH
r advertising.
Allowances for depletion Of oil and
IS weJfs and mines.
Exemptions from income and inher-
ance taxation of persons in the military
.rvice.
The proposed federal license tax for
1tomobiles, ranging from S. to $50 {
according to horsepower, was {
larply attacked but finally approved.