The Pensacola journal., 1914-12-20
A False, Unfair, and
Denogogic Deduction.

The following from Leslie's Weekly
is a fair illustration Of the tactics en-
ployed by a certain class of critics who
seek to put the democratic admins
tration in a false light before the coun-
try:
December first the new war taxes fell
due. It is unprecedented that in times
of peace war taxes should be levied
upon the American people, but how
many who now complain thought about
1t while congress was passing the bill?
If the government were economically
administered, there would be no need
OF war taxes. Proof of this will be
found in the successful fight against
the Pork Barrel bill in congress which,
through the generalship of Senator
Burton Of Ohio, was reduced from $53,-
100000 to $40, 10000 saving Of $685.
100000, just one-third of the amount
the special war taxes will provide. It
is said that the appropriations of this
congress will be $50,00O,o0 in excess
Of those of the preceding congress.
Might it not have been possible, by
careful economy, to have escaped the
levy OF 800, ,000,O 600 during this period
Of depression? Yet we have g. proposal
to spend $50, ,000, 900 more in the ex-
pertinent of establishing a mercantile
marine controlled by the government
and inviting all the risks Of foreign
complications. The war taxes add to
the high cost OF living. They come
when every one is trying to cut his
personal expenditures. Why should not
the government emulate the prevailing
spirit Of economy? The people Of the
United States, irrespective of party,
will not soon forget the laying of
special war taxes in time of peace. !
The necessity for them arose through |
reckless appropriations and inefficien- |
cy.
To such utterly false and obviously !
unfair criticism the br1efest general |
reply that occurs to one ts-rats.
But dealing little more specifically |
with Leslie's remarks, we might rea-
sonably ask how it happens that this |
rivers and harbors bill is a pork |
barrel bill when previous bills framed |
by Mr.. Burton himself and carrying
appropriations for republican states |
were all patriotic measures which. If |
they did not have the approval. at least
failed to excite any criticism on the
part of our republican contemporary?
Why also should Leslie's presume on
he ignorance Of the public by refer
-ing to the present as a time of
peace" when the greatest war in the
history Of the world is now in pro-
gress7
It is true that the Cnited States is
lot at war. but this country is never
heless affected by the war and disas-
ously so. The levying OF war taxes"
IS Leslie's knows. is made necessary
~ the fact that almost in a day, and
Without notice, the usual source Of rev
nue. was cut off by the European con-
lict and the war taxes" was the only
nd logical remedy for the situation.
The present special revenue measure s
oes not add dollar to the high cost
T living. 1t simply substitutes di- .
ect tax, which is needed and can be :
for an indirect tax which. {
hough needed, cannot be collected.
That is all there is to the matter.
nd a publication like Leslte's, which :
ssumes to be patriotic, ought to be
L better business than stirring up c
oIitical feeling at a time when all
ood citizens should be supporting the J
overnment. e