The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

remains that at least the pledge Of re
vision downward was actually fulhlie'
on record time.
And since by the necessary two-third
vote Of both House and Senate the Six
teenth Amendment, providing for tn
power to impose tax on Incomes has
been already passed BY Congress. fol
lowed by the required ratification by tn
legislatures OF three-fourths OF the States
the people fthis country certainly havl
only themselves to thank II they thini
no wthat they don't Ike the burden o
an income tax
We are often reminded by our brother
man, I'm somewhat reproachful tones tha
Of course q woman's privilege 10 q
change her mind-as though Il were Al
indefensible feminine weakness.
: Behold. my friends. how the men Ct
this country have been playing menta
see-saw for the past six or eight year.
with their ballots: First they demand od
President Taft revision downwards.' H,
promptly calls an extra session and bid
CONGRESS to obey the peoples mandate.
I Congress tinkers away from six OF
seven months and finally produces thai
masterpiece OF tariff in 1903 which ac-
tually includes a greater number OF In
creases rather than decreased sched-
uIes.
Surprises In the Ballots.
"Result-HIsher cost Of living, which
like the brook, though Congresses come
and Congresses 90. goes on forever
Second result-A universal hoviy Of dis
content Lower the tariff yell the
voters, and reduce the cost OF living!'
Enter Wilson, ct al Tariff is lowered
within seven months. Goes into effect
October g. 1913 One year passes. Elec-
tion day OF November. 1914, arrives.
Behold. the voters. again casting their
howl another risht-about face. Down
goes the Democratic majority from over
$50 to less than thirty.
But by that same token the voters
give us another surprise.
For the first time in our country's his
tory (also under q recent amendment to
the Federal Constittuion) the voters may
elect their Senators by direct vote at the
ballot box.
And instead or reducing the Democratic
majority in the Senate, Il Is decreased by
ten fickle, uncertain voters-cry some Of
the papers. Not sol comes the reply; Il
shows the voters are doing their own
thinking as never before; are deciding
things according to local conditions and
necessities. Less OF the party collar"
and more OF independent thinking and
voting.
However. that may be the factlremains
that the democracy has come back with
comfortable working majority in each
house, and hence the Wilson policies
will have two more years in which to
work themselves out and prove their
Worth-or otherwise, in the opinion Of
the Intelligent voter"
Right here, Miss Richards reminded
her hearers that in two more Western
6tates-Montana and Nevada-the men
had decided by their votes to enfranchise
their women, while in five others CNe-
braska and the two Dakotas. Ohio and
Missouri, the amendment had failed
Government Supervision.
Another point clearly brought out and
dwelt upon at some length by the speak
er was the control which the government
now holds. as the result Of recent legis-
lation over the three great subdivisions
Of big business, namely, the railroads,
the corporations and the banking bpsi-
ness.
Owing to the modern demand for
government supervision and control
rather than government ownership Of
public utilities. the beginnings Of which"
declared the speaker. date back to the
first Roosevelt administration. each OF
these branches OF big business is now
under the supervision of what may be
The railways are under the Interstate
Commerce Commission. the trusts and
corporations have Just ben put under the
Federal Trade Commission, and the
system o fthe country, by recent
legislation, has been put under the con-
troll OF what is known as the Federal Re
serve Board"
This board was brought into existence
by the new currency law, called officially
the Federal Reserve Act" embodying
one of the most important of the Wilson
policies, an act which seems to be grow
ing In favor, both with financiers and
business men, as 1t Is becoming better
understood.
Indeed. II Is even asserted by some that
It's operation may prove to be most
timely and efficacious in helping our
country over the many financial difficult
ties created by the European war. An
other item OF Democratic legislation ex-
planned by the speaker was the so-caIled
war tax" Law, which, she said, Is not
intended for steady diet, but will expire
In a little more than one year-to be
exact, on December 81, 1s15-unless the
United States should, unhappily, ind tt
self involved in the great world war,
which Heaven forbid!
After q brief intermission, during
which all the windows were thrown
open. 'fn order" as Miss Richards
put IL the languishing interest may
be revived by an thrush OF fresh air."
Invasion of Belgium.
the lecturer approached her second
theme, which she had announced would
be delicate and somewhat difiicult sub
ject to handle, owing to the intense feel
ing attached to 1t and her desire to OBJ
serve a friendly neutrality In discussing
all phases OF the European war.
THE question ! am about to discuss,
however, Il one COX erning which It is
difficult for either side to seem neutral.
I refer to the invasion OF Belgium and
the breaking Of the Belgian treaty of
neutrality. At the last talk as you may
recall. stated that thus far I had avoid |
ed even mentioning the word Belgium
in the talks. At the close Of that lecture a |
lady In my audience came to the platform |
and asked with some spirit, But why have |
you not mentioned Belgium That I
replied. 7 have deferred until later talk |
when I shall come prepared to present !
the pros and cons in some detail That (
I am prepared to do today"
At this statement there was a percep-
tible stir Throughout the audience and !
the closest attention was accorded the 1
speaker as she reviewed the history OF