Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 206, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1914 — SOFT DRINKS MAY BE STAMP TAXED [ARTICLE]

SOFT DRINKS MAY BE STAMP TAXED

Ways and Means Committee of the House is Preparing BUI to Offset the Treasury Losses.

Washington, Aug. 31.—A stamp tax on soft drinks as well as beer and patent medicines is contemplated by members of the house ways and means committee which is preparing an emergency internal revenue bill to offset treasury losses are to curtailment of imports. It is urged that soft drinks are as much luxuries as wines or beer and that an equitable distribution of the tax burden among all consumers would be accomplished by this plan.

Another suggestion is a stamp tax of five or ten per cent on railroad tickets and admissions to theatres, baseball parks and other licensed amusements. It is estimated that from fifty and sixty million dollars could be, raised this way. ..' ’ • ■' *

Democrats of the senate will discuss the emergency in a party caucus to be called later. A doubling of the present tax on beer it is estimated would produce $65,000,000. Some committee members, however, feel that taxation of commodities other than beer' and patent medicines would cause less popular friction. Among the Committee democrats there has been some opposition? to any war tax at all at this session, the contention being that there is plenty of available money for present needs. . ■