Omaha daily bee., 1909-06-12

British politics at the present time afford
the instructive spectacle of a reputed con-
sentative government giving official and
semi-official sanction TO economic policies,
regarded only a few years ago as the
vaporings Of cranks. Some OF these ten
tative policies are put forth as feelers. to
test public sentiment, and get the direction
Of political currents. Others hsve been en-
acted into law. or form part of pending
measures. Restoring the land to the people
Of ireland, begun in a half-hearted way
a few years ago, has become a settled
policy, and compulsory sale must follow as
a means Of ending the evils Of feudRl land
lordism. The proposed tax on land values,
embodied in the pending budget, is con-
sidered by land owners as a distinct step
toward Henry Georgelsm. Besides this, the
budget reaches out and LAYS a heavy hand
on wealth, the weight of the hand increas-
ing in proportion to the size of the income
or the estate. The higher the income or the
Inheritance, the higher Is the percentage
exacted by the government. These pro-
posals cause intense indignation among the
property holding class, and corresponding
enthusiasm among the vastly greater class
of nominal taxpayers. Hence the political
barometer of the liberal party indicates
clearing skies after many disquieting
storms. The courage and dash Of Lloyd
George in his revenue getting plans, have
a rival for public favor in Winston Chur-
chill's scheme to set up state insurance
against unemployment, For boldness Of
conception and dazzling possibilities, the
proposal astounds the tories and gives the
liberals a much wider view of political life
than it has enjoyed for a year. The in
surance scheme has not taken definite
shape. but the principle and purpose were
outlined by the author in a public address
at Manchester. These measures, both ac-
tive ana tentative, indicate clearly the trend
Of economic legislation in conservative
Britain, and their development viii be
wached with worldwide interest,
A sensational story from Rome, printed
In a London newspaper gives a melancholy
picture of conditions in the districts de-
vastated by earthquake in southern Italy
and the alleged waste of the millions con-
tributed for the relief Of the sufferers. 1t
is stated that the donations available for
immediate application aggregate about S14,-
900, 600. According to figures furnished by
the president of the central relief commit
tee the subscriptions were approximately
as follows: Great Britain, 500, OOO; Argen-
tina, which has a large Italian population,
S4O0, 900; Germany, which is Italy's ally,
100000; France, 5000, 900. and the United
States, $1,000 In addition to these
amounts, the Catholic church collected
81, 200, 900, and there were various sums from
other countries, which nave not been COM
puted.
The Italian contributions were naturally
by far the largest of all. They comprised
the sum of s .0OO,O 900, which Parliament
voted for immediate use, and the further
sum Of $14, 900, 900, in the form of sur-taxes,
the collection and expenditure of which are
to be extended over a series OF years. and
which Is to be employed in restoring public
services throughout the stricken region.
These contributions were of money only.
They take no account of the great GUAM
titles Of provisions and of other supplies
transmitted to the scene Of the earth
quake. According to the letter referred to-,
the reorganization of life in the principal
ruined cities has not yet been even begun.
The central has spent "a, $50, 900
In relieving the immediate necessities Of
the victims, and IT has set aside large sums
for rearing orphans and other charities.
This has practically exhausted it's re-
sources and 1t has a balance Of only sl6, 375
in its possession.