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Show Broaden Scope of Proposed New Tax 8everal Plans Are Under Consideration Considera-tion By Ways and Means Committee Washington, Aug. 31. A stamp tax on soft drinks, as well as boer and patented medicines, Is contemplated contem-plated by members ot tho house ways and means committee, which is preparing pre-paring an emergency Internal revenue bill to offset treasury losses duo to curtailment of Imports. It Is urged that soft drinks aro as much of a luxury as wines or beer and that nn cqultnblo distribution of the tax burden bur-den nmong all consumers would bo accomplished by this plan. Another suggestion Is a stamp tnx ot 5 or 10 per cent on railroad tickets tick-ets -and ndmlsslon to theaters, baseball base-ball parks and other licensed amuse-ments. amuse-ments. It Is estimated that from $50,000,000 to $80,000,000 could bo lalsed in this way. The committee has not detormlnud upon a complete taxation plat as yet, but purposes to hasten Us deliberations, de-liberations, so n bill may be Introduced Introduc-ed soon after 1'rosldent Wl'son nd-dresses nd-dresses congress on tho subject, which probably will bo Immediately upon his return from Now Hampshire. Hamp-shire. Administration leaders are Impressed with tho necessity ot quick action, in order to disturb business conditions as littlo as possible. Domocrats of tho senate will dls. cubs tho emergency In a party caucus cau-cus to bo called later Ibis week. A doubling ot the present tax on beer, It is estimated by ticasury exports, ex-ports, would produco JC3 000,000. Somo commltteo momben, however, f-'U that taxation of commodities other than boor nnl intent modlclnos wruld causo less popular friction. Among tho commltteo Democrats thero liu bcon somo opposition to nny war tax nt all this session, tho contention being thnt thore is plenty of available monoy for present needB. 4 |