Evening journal., 1919-01-30
LUXURY TAX STIRS
POPULAR PROTEST
New York Dep artmc n /
Stores to File Petitions
Against Ii
CUSTOMERS ASKED
TO JOIN IN FIGHT

NEW YORK, Jan. 3O.-ln the belief
that the purchasing public should have
an opportunity 10 get before Congress
its views on the luxury tax" provi-
sion OF the war revenue bill many OF
the stores Of this city are presenting
for the signatures OF their patrons pc
titions protesting against certain fea-
lures OF the bill and addressed TO those
Senators and Representatives who now
have the bill under consideration In
Joint conference.
In view Of the fact that in the last
analysis the burden OF the tax upon
what the bill holds 10 be luxurles and
semi-luxuries will fall on the purchas-
ers It seems proper to the proprletors
OF various stores to enlist the aid Of
the public in a protest against some
phases OF the bill
The petitions will be addressed 10
Senu.o.s A.. NJ. Simmons. Hoke Smith.
John Sharp Williams, Boles Penrose and
Henry Cabot Lodge and TO Representa-
tives Claude Kitchin, Henry 7. RaIney.
Lincoln Dixon, j.. Hampton Moore and
James w. Fordney. These Senators and
Representatives are now holding huar-
ings and discussions on the war reve-
nue measure as members Of a Joint
committee which has II In confer
ence.
The arguments which have been ad-
vanced against the bill are many, bu.
principally that as the war is over
many Of its provisions are unneces-
sary; that those provisions placing
tax on socalled luXuries and semi
luxuries are often vague; that they are
undemocratic since they constitute a
species OF class legislation; that the
keeping within the law. II II should he
come operative as law, will entail
mass OF bookkeeping costlier than the
amount OF revenue oollectible under
the law; and above all, that 10 tax GER
tain articles named In the bill will do
away 10 a large extent with their man.
ufacture and sale and withhold employ
ment in the trades affected from many
men who are now being demobllized
from the lighting forces.
The following are only a few OF the
articles on which II is proposed 10 I'M
pose a tax as luxuries or semi-luxu-
ries:
Carpets and rugs, except imported
and American rugs made principally OF
wool, on the amount In excess Of So
a square yard.
Trunks in excess Of $50 each.
Vallses, hand bags, suit cases, hat
boxes and other articles used by trav-
ellers in excess OF S25 each.
Purses, shopping and hand bags and
pocketbooks in excess OF $50 each.
Umbrellas. parasols and sunshades In
excess Of 81 each.
Fans costing more than 81.
House and smoking jackets. bath and
lounging robes in excess OF $3.50.
Mems waistcoats sold separately from
suits on the amount OF cost beyond S..
Mems shirts costing over SO each.
Riding boots. II for a. servant they
are taxable on the total cost. II for
the buyers use on the proportion Of
the cost above So
On all textiles for hangings and fur
nlture and on all articles classed as
antique furniture.
Liveries and servants uniforms. Tax
on whole cost.
Mems suits and overcoats, except for
military use. on all excess above $50
Women's suits. cloaks and wraps In
excess Of $50 and dresses in. excess OF
$40.
Mems and boys neckties on all cost
over 50 apiece; their silk hose on the
amount over 81; their hats on excess
over SO. and their caps on the excess
above 81 apiece.
Mems shirts on the excess above SO
apiece.
On underwear for men, women and
including night clothes. a tax