Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-10-30

/ secretaries of the other nine cabinet
i officers must also be increased from
$500 to $4,000.
"The salary of chief of division,
created less than year ago under
the income tax, has been increased
from $4,000 to $3,50O
"Six assistant attorneys general in
the department of justice have had
their salaries increased from $4,000
to $500 each.
"The salary of the assistant to the
attorney general was increased dur
ing the extra session of an urgent de-
ficiency bill from $1,000 to $4,000.
"The salaries Of our diplomatic rep
resentatives in Argentine, Chile and
Spain were raised from $4,000 to
/ $17.500 each per annum, and the sal
aries of the three secretaries of the
legations to those countries were in
creased from $2,625 to $4,000 each.
"The mission to Paraguay and Uru-
quay was divided and new minister
authorized with q new salary of $1O,-
900.
"In the pension office 40 special ex-
aminers, at 1900 each, heretofore
employed to facilitate settlement of
claims for pensions for old soldiers,
and whose appointments were con-
trolled by civil service law, were abol-
ished. In their places five special ex-
aminers at $1,000 each, who are not
under the civil service, but are polit-
ical appointments, were provided for.
II have no doubt that this bill will
pass as it has been written, but it is
only another milestone in the terrific
rate which we are travelling along the
highway of extravaganza. But if 1t
is to pass, let us be candid with the
people and tell them why it is pass
ing and why 1t is necessary to pass ii
to meet our vast expenditures, to
meet nothing less than brazen and
unrestrained and unblushing extrava-
gance. Let us be candid with those
who put up the money.
= "Now what are the conditions of the
|, country from a business standpoint
What is the situation of the people
Y upon whom we are imposing this tax
There is no occasion for exaggeration
A plain, simple statement of facts i,
Y quite sufficient. The securities of in
: surance companies and savings bank
e have shrunk in value during the las
18 months, and prior to August
g $500, 100000. We are advised that ol
August ! the railroads of this coun
e try have defaulted in their bonds an,
y notes to- the extent of $600,000,0O0
. We are advised also that railroad rev
u enues fell off during the last fisca
q year to the extent of S44, 100000. w
" are advised that business failure
70 during the month of August, 191.
were to the amount of S43 3,000, 900, q
" against $20,OOO,OOO in 1913 and s12
000,0 900 in 1912. We are told also b
5 those who are in position to kno
q that there are laboring men out {
r employment to the amount of two an
u one-haIf millions, and a million mol
ne working on half-time. We kno'
q furthermore, that the cost of livir
- has not been reduced, that the ba
n ance of trade has been going again
70 us, and that business uneasiness al
distress are not at all uncommt
ke throughout the land.
on "But in the midst of all this, of wa
M - ssg1.vnne - ,rrrar4 vIIn ~
OF of business depression in mai
I'D places, in the midst of the citizer
tut worry, the government holds on
all way undisturbed, exceeding the spe
~ limit along the highway of extrav
we ganee.
81 Taxation seems to recognize
signs of distress. Incomes may d
e1 appear, business houses put up tn
me blinds, profits fade, railroads defal
the in their securities. wages decres
us and disappea@ but taxes incref
the with a steady and even imperic
ca movement.
~ ssIt is a strange and unnatural sit
ana ton when a government takes no
les, tice Of the conditions of its peo
Vno when 1t comes to lay on the bnrd
De of government.
zen ut is cruel and arbitrary thing
OF q government to exercise POI
Tor simply because it can do SO and vi
gin- out regard to the interest Of the p
cry pie who sustain the government.
rae eve are but the directors and tn
men and women out yonder in
sing factory, field and mine are the ste
has holders. To them we are bound
sec every tie Of conscience, ky every
legation Of trusteeship. and by ey
ap- sense Of honorable consideration.
sneh "But their protests here are utt
erce unheeded. They send us thousand
,aoo kilograms advising us Of the situat
sum but we go on creating more OF
providing for more salaries,
spending more money, every dolla
itary which must come from them.