Evening journal., 1918-07-12
jewellers IN DENIAL
Of WAR TAX LOBBY
Refute Charge That Com.
mittse Established AggreS-
sive Measures
WOULD URGE BIG
TAX ON PLATINUM

The jewelers. war revenue tax com
mittee has issued a statement In which
they refute the charges OF Representa-
tive Henry T. Rainey. OF the ways and
means committee, that the jewellers
vigilance committee was organized Tor
the purpose OF protecting jewellers OF
the cOluntry In the manufacture and
sale OF luxuries against war taxes that
might be deemed by them 10 be eNces-
slve, and that one Of the first things
the committee did was TO establish one
OF the most forceful and aggressive lob
bies he had ever seen In Washington
In their statement the committee says
the vigilance committee was formed 10
try 10 prevent fraud, misbranding and
ali kinds of Misrepresentation OF mer-
chants and materials handled by the
lewelry and kindred trades. Moreover,
II Is pledged 10 defend the interests OF
all branches OF the jewelry trade
against unfair attacks and unjust legls-
lation. when such action Is required
The committee challenges the produc-
lion OF a single bit Of proof 10 show
mat a lobby was established by the
vigilance committee in Washington, or
that any agent, attorney or loDDylsl
was hired in connection with war reNe-
nue. taxes.
Regardlng the activities OF the war
revenue tax and platinum committees
of the jewelers. vigilance committee
they say. several members OF the Wal
| revenue tax committee called on Chair
man Kitchin. but were not perini'teu
TO discuss the war revenue tax Dill as
the Congressman stated he would not
consider any matters connected WIN
the bill until the Senate had taken ac-
tlon on II.
on May 2l. 1917, the platinum com
mittee waited on Congressman Rainey
at the House Of Representatives, ana
presented letter from the Secretary OF
Commerce, giving certain facts about
The Governments requirements Tor
platinum at that time. The Interview
was brief because. they say, Represent
atlve Rainey declared his intention 70
urge a prohibitive tax on the making
OF platinum jewelry, regardless OF Sec
retary Redneld's statements.
| Aftervard the committee went TO tine
gallery OF the House. the statement
saws. and when the platinum amend
ment 20 the tax measure Of the platinum
committee sent for the Congressman
| from his district, Mr.. Lehlbach and
showed him a letter that Secretary
Redneld had written to the committee
These. they declare, were the onl,
Senator's and Representatives who wer'
approached al any time by any mem
bers or committee OF the jewelers.
vigilance committee.
With regard TO the charges OF pront
eering. the statement says the pric
OF platinum Is entirely controlled b.
he foreign owners Of the metal, an
sneculation by dealers or by manufac
turers OF iewelry would have been ex
ceedingly dangerous. Hence, there wa
no speculation OF prOflteerlng. On m
other hand, they contend, Il Is doubt
ful II any considerable portion OF IN
platinum taken over by the governmen
AZ sos an ounce represented even th'
actual cost price TO the jewelers., es-
pecially as some OF the platinum hae
a certain amount Of labor expended or
IT,
The Jewellers say they are not com
plalning about the communicating OF
their platinum, but they are naturally
averse 10 being charged with making
enormous sums Of money on the IN
crease In price, when, as a matter o.
fact. the value has not Increased 5Ss
since this country entered the war
and that the platinum taken over by
the government. at siO5 an ounce. II
many Instances cost the dealers $40
10 $40 an ounce.
AS TO the contributions Of the Jew
elers 10 the Vigilance Committee, M
statement explains that these fund
were voluntarily given by all branche
! OF the trade; that every penny expend
. ed was used to carry out the purpose
expressed in the constitution OF the or
ganization.
Replying to a further statement o
/, Representative Rainey's, that 500 0
! the supply OF platinum is still used Il
the manufacture Of jewelry, the state
ment says that the Communicating or
ders OF the war industries board hav
d cut ar oil platinum from jewelers., eX
cept the 25,, OF their stocks OF unTnan
ufactured metal released some month