New-York tribune., 1918-07-11
Jewellers Say They Would
Be Driven Out Of
Business
Stamps Urged for
Patent Medicines
House Committee to Take
Up Treasury Proposals
Item by Item

WASHINGTON, July 10.-Members
of the House Ways and Means Com
mittee to-day studied with interest the
list of luxury taxations suggested by
the Treasury Department. Opposition
was apparent to many of the proposals,
which some committeeman regarded as
lmpracticable. The committee will take
up the list, item by item, when it be-
gins framing the new war revenue bill,
The first protest against the Treas
ury's suggestions came during the com
mittee's hearing of representatives of
the wholesale and retail jewelry trade
Meyer D. Rothschild and Robert B..
Steele, both Of New York, said the pro-
posed 80 per cent retail tax on jewelry
would force so many concerns out of
business that the government would not
derive nearly as much revenue from
this source as it would under the 10
per cent tax
William H. Hill, of Detroit, who ap-
peared for the patent medicine indus
try, proposed the Canadian plan Of af
flXing government tax stamp on pat
ent medicines, the amount of the tax
to be added to the selling price.
Tells of War Expenses
While Hill was on the stand Repre-
sentative Fordney, of Michigan, rank
ing Republican member of the COM
mlttee, said the governments actual
war expenses this year. after deducting
$4,000, 100000 loaned to the Allies,
would be s1S,00OoO0.O 900. The $1,000
100000 which it is proposed by raise by
taxation, he said, represented 40 per
cent of the total actual expense He
added that he did not think that amount
should be raised by taxation
Replying to charges that jewellers
mad hoarded platinum to the detrment
of the country's war activities, Mr..
Rothschild, who was formerly chairman
of a jewellers platinum committee,
SAID he had urged elimination Of the
use of platinum in iewelry
Representatives Rainey, of Illinois.
and Longworth, of Ohio, called atten-
tion to a publication devoted to Jew
ellers' interests which had advertised
that platinum was to be had in guam
titles.
There were seven or eight concerns
ding rings" Mr.. Rothschild said, "but
our committee asked them in the in
terest of conservation to discontinue
its use in that form and we also asked
trade papers not to advertise it,"
Lobbying Charge Made
After numerous questions had been
asked about visits of representatives
OF the jewellers in Washington, Repre-
sentative Fordney said that although
accusations had been pretty free about
lobbying, there "is one organization
that right now lobbies here in Wash
ington by the score and there is never
any criticism of it."
What organization is that" de-
manded Representative Garner, Of
Texas.
"Mr. Gompers," replied Mr.. Ford
ney.
Representative Moore, Of Pennsyl-
vania, agreed with Mr. Fordney that
business men have the right to come
to Washington to present their views
to their Representatives or to others
without being called lobbyists.
Mr.. Rothschild told of American en-
gineers bringing 2.1o0 ounces of
platinum out of Russia at the risk of
their lives, and said when this was Of
fered to the War Industries Board the
board offered only 500 an ounce for
1T, although platinum was at the time
selling in the open market at s1O5.
He said the board agreed to pay more
il the engineers would submit proof
of costs, task that was too difficult.
He asserted there were 10000 ounces
more that these engineers could have
obtained if they had been treated