The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-20
WIRE REPEAL BILL
OFFERED IN HOUSE
Stevenson Moves for Immedi-
ate Return Of Communication
Lines to Owners.
LUXURIEs WILL GO FREE
Another Measure Proposes the
Abatement Of the One, Cent
Tax on Drinks.
Special DespafcA TO THE srS

Special Despufch TO THE Sex.
WASHINGTON, May 19.-On the first
day OF the session of the new Con-
gress Representative Stevenson (Minp.
chairman Of the House Post ONCE Com.
mittee, introduced a measure to repeal
the authority given the Government to
take over the telegraph and telephone
lines and provide for their immediate re-
turn to private ownership. The resolu-
ton. which was referred TO the Post OF.
fice Committee, follows:
ResoIved, That the supervision, pos
session. control and operation OF the
telephone and telegraph systems OF the
United States. now existing under the
proclamations OF the President dated
July 22 and November 2, 1918, issued
under the joint resolution OF Congress
approved July 16, 1918. be and the
same is hereby terminated and all au-
thortty to supervise. possess. control
or operate the same under said joint
resolution Is revoked
That within sixty days after this act
shall take effect the President shall
cause to be made a detailed and item
lied account and report OF all his acts
supervision, possession, control and
operation of the telephone. telegraph
and marine cable systems Of the
United States under the proclamation
referred to. and Of all moneys received
and expended and all property and as
sets acquired or held and all liabiii-
ties or obligations incurred, including
contracts relative to compensa ton
awards. such report to show in detail
the financial results OF the operation OF
each separate wire system up TO and
including March 81, 1919. and the
financial results OF the operation of
each separate wire system between
March 81. 1919. and the date when the
said systems shall have been returned
to the owners thereof
II Is likely that a similar bill will be
introduced in the Senate tomorrow
Republican Senators held a conference
to-day and agreed upon the text Of q
measure for the immediate return OF the
wire systems to the private owners.
Luxury Tax Repeal Also.
Representative Moore (Pa.) also in.
troduced resolution to repeal the sec,
ton Of the revenue law imposing a II
per cent. tax on semi-luxuries, and
Representative Goldfolgle IN. " intro
duced another repeating the tax on soft
drinks.
Repeal OF the luxury tax is a foregon<
conclusion. In tho closing hours of the
last session a resolution OF repeal wal
adopted by the House. but failed In ths
Senate because Of a filibuster against
other legislation. The House Repub
leans have promised repeal In theiI
programme and Representative Kitchir
On. CO. in the debate on this legisla Il or
early in the year asserted the take,
were unnecessary In view of the fac,
that the armistice had been signed.
Additional Inheritance Taxes.
Under Mr.. Goldfoyles bill when the
Secretary of the Treasury finds that the
repeal OF the soft drink tax will brins
about shortage OF revenue and thai
the loss must be made good he may
direct the Commissioner OF Interna
Revenue to collect the following rate:
on the estates of decedents dying after
the passage OF the 1919 revenue act:
Five per cent OF the amount by
which the net estates exceeds $3.50
600 and does not exceed $4,000
Nnstead of per cent OF said
amount as now provided by law.
Seven per cent. of the amount by
which the net estate exceeds $3.50
900 and does not exceed $4,000