The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-02-05
Action On The Warnes Tax
Law Being Delayed
That Gov. willis, As Usual,
Nay Dodge Responsibility

Columbus, Feb. 4-Demsnd for abso-
Lutte enforcement of the leaders Of the
Anti-saloon league of Ohio and the Re-
publican executive committee came in
the resolutions committee>et the con-
vention in Columbus this week. when
resolutions were presented condemn
ing the defeat Of the natinal prohibi-
ton measure in congress. The break
ing point was reached when the COM
mittee voted down the inclusion Of the
names Of President Wilson and Secre-
tary OF State Bryan, for the alleged
lending q moral support to supporters
of the opposition. Members Of the
committee scored Wayne B. Wheeler
in certain terms for what they deemed
his political alliances, and it was ru-
mored freely that an understanding
had been reached by which the future
conduct of the league must not be per-
mitted to get under suspicion by Mr..
Wheeler's political arrangements. This
was emphasized because 1t was made
the sense Of to convention to attempt
defeat of the home rule amendment in
1915, and because it was desired not to
ALLEVIATE support Of dry Democrats,
who cannot get over the fact that last
November it was deal between the
Republican executive committee and
tn vets Of Cincinnati that gave Ohio
the Home Rule Amendment and at the
same time gave Ohio Republican gov
ernor.
One OF the resolutions makers saw
in the effort to use the names of Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Bryan q
plan to make political capital for 1915
and it was speedily squelched in the
making. But it was decidedly pointed
out that Wayne B. Wheeler should be
careful not to let his Republicanism
grow to the point where 1t would antas-
onize the "drys" of other political af-
filiations. And this was made especial
ly emphatio In view Of the fact that
the recent Rcpublican-Home Rule deal
in Cincinnati had sacrificed twenty
years Of work for temperance to make
Frank B. Willis governor.
Governor Willis does not appear to
be ready to keep his promises to tear
the Warnes tax law to smithereens-
at least not yet To do SO would fix
the responsibility for the next tax as
sessments on his administration, and
he always wants to dodge RESPONSE
bility. While his new law could be
passed with emergency clause to go
into effect at once, the falling dupli.
cate bound to result and the increas.
ing rate would be laid at his door, and
this would make q bad comparison
with the Cox administration. So it is
planned to let the present assessors
make the assessment this year. take
away from them the moral support
that was given them by Governor Cox
and hold out to them the promised re
ward of Immediately losing their jobs
Result expected lower duplicate and
an increased rate. and place to alb
the blame. Then with a great hurraf
and q blare of trumpets the "decentral
izing' measure would be rushed across
The elective assessors will do the mex
job under great promise from head
quarters. but nobody will know how
much hts taxes have been raised Il
make up for the wealthy tax-dodge
who escapes. until after next election
time has passed. When the facts be
come known 1t will be too late, AM
Frank B. Willis will have gotten b,
again. just as he got by the election
of 1918 without telling whether he wa
for Taft or Roosevelt, and Just ike h
got BY In 1914 by differentiating be
tween his stand as candidate and a
citizen. It is the plan. please note