Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-12

AI1C cNcIltS nave OIOuRQC OUT
players in competition with leaders
in the game from Philadelphia, New
York, Baltimore, Wilmington, Nor
folk, Richmond, Lynchburg, Roam
oke and other places in what is re-
garded as the Washington sphere of
influence SO far as bridge is con-
cerned.
The results and some of the in
tresting plays have been reported in
the daily press and followed with
enthusiasm by the contract playing
public, which goes to show the pop
uiarity Of the game. The Champion
ship plays have all been in the du-
plicate form Of the game, but there
are many more rubber bridge play
ers In Washington, and 1t is these
who have watched the developments
as presented in the newspapers,
and many of them have "kibitzed"
the games SO far as the limits of the
Shoreham Hotel, where the con-
tests were staged, would allow.
The tournament has been a sue
cess both financially and as to the
number Of participants, although no
profit in the regular sense is al
lowed, the proceeds going to pay ex-
penses and for trophies and prizes
to the winners.
The local event has come to be
regarded as second In importance to
the two national tournaments, one
held in Asbury Park in the summer
and another in the winter, this
year at Pittsburgh. The tourna-
ment this year has proved to be no
exception.
Recently there was issued by an
information bureau of the Treas
ury Department a statement to the
effect that revenue omcials were
wondering whether it is the interest
Of the public in the European war
or lack of interest in bridge play
Ing that is responsible for the loss
Of revenue from the excise tax on
playing cards.
It Is quite true that the revenue
from playing cards has been de-
creasing during the last two years,
while the income tax from other
items, especially during the last
year, has been increasing; but it is
not true that this Is the case be-
cause OF a relaxation in bridge
playing. There are more bridge play
ers In the country now than ever
before, and their numbers are con-
stantly increasing and 50 Is their
interest in the game Notwithstand-
ing, the tax on playing cards fell of
approximately 100000 two years
ago. In 1887 it was nearly IS, 1000, 900.
while 1t decreased the next year to
something around $4,000 900. In the
coming year it is likely to be still
less.
The remedy for this condition has
been told to the revenue-raising
committees of Congress by members
of the Washington Bridge League
and others, but they have evidently
been too much interested In pro-
viding means Of raising billions to
give serious concern to an item in
the nuisance tax section of revenue
bills that would raise the income a
mere million dollars, or at least
maintain 1t at its peak of two years
ago.
The reason for the loss of revenue
as has been heretofore explained in
this column, Is that the card-play-
ing public is now using two brands
Of durable cards, those that will
last for a year and sometimes for
two and be in good condition at the
end Of that period, instead of the
cheaper decks whose usefulness
ceases after q few sessions of in
tensive playing. Yet the durable
decks which sell for six times as
much as the ordinary packs pay
the same excise tax of 10 cents q
deck as do the much cheaper ones
Thus, If one purchases two durable
decks. paying S. for them, and
they last for two years, 1t is more
economical than buying 20 cheaper
decks for $40. In the first instance
however, the Government gets only
20 cents in revenue tax and in
the other 81. It does not require
q bridge expert or a mathematician
to understand such q situation, yet