The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-19

TIE TOT
chinery, notably the reform, Of the
presidential nominating system.
Program Of New Party.
1--WE, members of the Progressive
party, are committed to the develop
| ment of a homogeneous and balanced
economic social program. Mr.. Murdoch
and the other members OF the house OF
representatives and senate who in con-
gress have SO ably represented the Pro-
gressive party and the people, have
| shown an enlightened understanding OF
the need for this rounded and balanced
program. They have introduced the
| Murdoch trust bills, the tariff commits
sion bill, and the bill for the creation OF
a federal employment bureau, as well
as a bill for the abolition of child labor.
The unwisdom of the opponents OF the
Progressive party who dominate con-
gress has blocked these reforms, and
thereby have emphasized the need OF
our demand for a reform of political
machinery, notably the reform OF the
presidential nominating system.
1T is not true that we make any as
sault on property. 1t of course Is true
that We wish to be sure that great
wealth is accumulated not only legally
but in accordance with moral laws and
with the interests of the people as a
whole. 1t is true that we believe that
enormous fortunes when transmitted
to those who have not made them
should come under the operations of a
sharply graduated inheritance tax.
lieved to be more important than the
income tax. and far less open to OBJ
jections. / do not believe that at pres
| ent there is the slightest need Of any
income tax or Inheritance tax on small
| or even moderate fortunes; but do be-
lieve that there should be a heavily
graded and heavy income tax and in
| heritance tax on huge fortunes.
Elsewhere 1 have discussed in a
speech the situation primarily from the
, business standpoint. Yet I think 1t is
impossible to divorce business and labor
interests. We need a legislative pro-
gram that shall consider both and at
the same time, just as We also consider
the interests Of the farmer. In dis
Gus sing the proper tariff and trust poll
cies Of this nation. and the need of Gre
ating governmental agencies to deal
with modern commerce and manufac-
ture. believe we should also insist
upon the need OF social legislation. This
IS necessary in order to meet the social
results Of modern busine So, just as new
business legislation is necessary to meet
the economic conditions which are pre-
scented to modern business. Our oppo-
nents at Washington. in both the old
gent understanding Of the real needs OF
the situation.
Advocates Tariff Commission.
Remember that the course that we
advocate as regards the trusts and the
tariff Is a course where we have prece-
der to back us, and where We can rely
upon the wise arguments of those who
have thought with deepest sanity upon
the subject. For example, as regards
the IN ri fo ha ,,
precedent OF a tariff commission, not a
tariff board or a tariff commission with
utterly inadequate powers, but real
non-partisan business commission of
continuing action, Of ceaseless activity.
concerned ir businesslike fashion with
the farmers no less than of the business
men. There is nothing academic or
visionary III a program which in its
essentials is to resemble the program
which he worked with such ajmirab BILE
results in the case of that. eminently
practical nation. modern Germany. 1t
Is a reflection upon tine good sense and
ability of our political ,le aders that they
do not now put through such program
80 1t is in the case OF our trust pro-
gram. Witt equal boldIess and sanity,
President w n Hise of the University of
Wisconsin has in an admirable volume
outlined and advocated tho two special
points as regards the trusts to which
the PrOgressives have most strongly
committed themselves, that is, the need
of accepting the principle of combina-
ton In modern business as inevitable,
ard the need OF controlling the resulting
business combinations in effective fash
ion by administrative commissions. AL
most no good, and a great deal of HARM
results and has resulted from the effort
simply 20 break up these combinations.
! This effort Il made in bad faith results
In corruption; IL made in good faith, it
Is effective and yet harassing, and sue
ceeds in diverting the attention of hon.
est people from the real needs. The
dull reactionary and the needless and
foolish radical combine against every
wise effort TO deal thoroughly and mas
terfully. and yet with proper self-re-
| straint. with existing conditions. Here,
as is so often the case, it is wise radi-
calism. sane and far-sighted progress
sivism. which really embodies and rep
resents genuine conservatism.
Must Not Turn Back.
In dealing with the economic con-
oltion or the country 1t is impossible
to forget the sociological aspects of
the present situation unless we are
content to go in the utterly haphazard
fashion that has marked the attitude
or both the old parties during the last
rev years. We must face the fact Of
the change of social and economic
conditions in this country, and it is
mere folly to attempt to meet these
conditions by returning to the gov
ernmental and business policies Of
three generations back.
me wise no less than witty
philosopher who writes under the