The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-07-18
Measure is Aimed at Waste "Akin
to Treason"

Washington, ID. T., July IL
Taxes on luxuries and not few nee
pose of filling the national war chest
and enforcing wartime economy and
thrift are proposed in list OF taxa
ton suggestions submitted by the
treasury department to the ways and
means committee of the mouse To-
day. ,a
waste "akin to treason" the depart
ment proposes war taxes on the
higher priced grades Of mems, Wom-
/ EMS and children's clothing, furnl-
ture, toilet articles, hotel bills, gas
oline, purses and handbags.
male household servants and more
than one female servant is one OF
the novel features of the anti-extrav-
agance program sketched by the
treasury.
Greatly increased taxes on auto
mobiles, jewelry, musical mstru-
sages, soft drinks, liquors and to-
bacco are also proposed.
The treasury recommends two
classes of taxes. In one class would
be taxes paid by the consumer on
articles purchased at retail. In the
other would be taxes paid by the me
shape of higher prices.
Here are the taxes suggested by
the treasury, which are to be pald
Fifty per cent on the retail price
of jewelry, including watches and
clocks except those sold to army
officers.
Twenty per cent on automobiles,
trailers, and truck units, motorcy-
cles, bicycles, tires, and musical IN
struments.
A tax on all mems suits selling tor
more than $3o, hats costing over g.
osiery over 35 cents, shoes over So,
gloves over 50, underwear, more
than So and all neckwear. and canes.
Taxes on women's suits costing
more than $40, coats more than S3e,
ready made dresses more than $25,
skirts over 81; hats oveF So co snees
over SIS, silk costing over $1.5O a
ward. cotton over SO cents a yard,
and woods over 81 a yard. All furs,
boas and fans. :.
Taxes on children's clothing in
Guiding suits costing oyer owe! Sl3 ,.oc COZ
ton dresses, over 50, linen dresses e
over s., silk and wool dresses IS over ond
gloves gI, over 81. Taxes on house
, furnishings, including ornamental
lamps and fixtures, all table linen,
\ cutlery, silverware, china, and cut
glass, all furniture in sets for which
more than S. is paid for each piece;
/ curtains costing over 81 per ward ana
on tapestries, rugs, and carpets cost
ing over SIS per square yard.
! Taxes on all purses, pocketbooks.
handbags, brushes, combs, toilet ar
lticles, and all mirrors costing over
50. ,,.+;
! from the sales of vending machines.
q Ten per cent on all hotel bills
room and on more than SIS day
per person, American plan.
Y The present tax of 10 per cent on
cabaret bills would be extended to
the entire restaurant or cafe bllls.
( Following are the taxes to be paid
by the manufacturer, producer, or
dealer: a
to be paid by the wholesale dea lea
phone and telegraph messages cost Il.
ing more than 5 cents. A 10 per
cent tax on all leased wires.
/ Quadruple the present levies on
soft drinks. Sirups and extracts
now taxed cents a gallon would pc
taxed 20 cents, those paying cents
to be increased to 80 cents; those
paying 10 cents to be increased to ~
cents, and those paying 70 cents 70
be raised to 80 cents. Mineral wat
tiers now paying ] cent a., gallon
would be taxed 16 cents. Chewing
gum now taxed 2 per cent OF the
selling price to pay / cent on each
cent package.