The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-12-30

PocSos VhSkhS VA obN "a "eSSA " - 80
the manufacture of war munitions,
should be done by the government di-
rect by day labor, without contract, or
private profit.
Second:-All additions to our navy
should be built as far as practicable
with the view of being used for ocean
transportation for the products and
needs of labor, by the government at
cost Of administration.
Third:-All taxation for this mag
mary preparedness should be On levies
entirely separate from u ordinary
methods of raising money for our cur
rent needs. No bonds issued, or money
borrowed, or taxes imposed except
such as may be provided by law for
this specific purpose, and expenditures
limited to receipts from same. First:
"A $3.50 tax on war profits, (%including
profits on war stocks,) made prior to
the enactment of the law in the manu-
facture and export of war munitions
regardless of destination, and includ-
isg profits on transportation. If the
manufacturers refuse to report, max
ing a satisfactory statement, all fur
Their exports to be prohibited, until
their books have been submitted to
and audited by chartered public ac-
countants.
Fourth:-That for the future an eX-
munitions, or parts of same that may
be intended for assembling in foreign
countries. This would catch that alleg-
ed $40, 600, 900 worth of copper, stored
for shipment until after the close of
the war.
Fifth:-That a special graduated in
come tax be levied on all incomes in
excess of $40, 900 per annum.
Sixth:-That a special graduated
inheritance tax be levied on all estates
in excess of $4,000
Expenditures to be limited to re-
ceipts from sources mentioned.
1t is a fair proposition, as the rev.
enue would be secured from those who
favored special preparedness" and are
best able to pay for it. The tax on war
profits is a legitimate source of rev.
enue for this purpose, as the profits
have been immense, and are the re-
suit of preparedness" in Europe.
1t is reasonable to assume that
Australia will at the close of the war
be an inland empire without a navy.
If Germany has not been able to use
her nav in this War near home we
need have no fear of her so far away
from home.
Then if the allied group are the ones
to fear, why continue to help them
now? 1t should be good policy to tax
them good and plenty in advance for
the score co they are giving us now.
You see it would work double. We
would secure the revenue to pay the
CApCuSC llOll IIooC VIC dlC ouPpoSCu
to fear, and the more expensive we
make the present war for them, the
longer we will have to prepare for their
invasion.
But why this feverish haste? We
have peace treaties with Great Britain,
France, Italy, Russia, and l think
Japan that provides for one years
time for diplomacy. We have nothing
to fear from the Allies for many years,
if ever.
Soon after the close of the war, the
European dynasties will be replaced
with republics, united against any flu
ture war for aggression.
This will be our last great worlds
war.
Keep cool. Watch the press, and
you will note another element of the
same group interested more especially
in a big army, much larger than is
needed for protection from invasion.
A few weeks ago there was a meet
ing in New York of the representatives
of five of the great industrial associa-
tons, representing $4,000 employing
companies. "The subject under dis
cussion was the formation of an organ-
ization of employers of labor which
shall include not only the five great
associations represented but also, as
near it as possible, all other large in
terests. 1t was the wal that
suggested the meeting. The five men
believe that when the wal ends Amer
lean business will have to cope with
another and sudden readjustment, and
that as war profits shrink or disap-
pear, a means must be at hand to cor
re%spondingly shrink wages" Remem-
Der Cripple Creek, Colorado.
From the same report l find that the
notorious w. H. Wood, head of the
wool manufacturing trust, and oppres-
o of labor, Twill be very much in
evidence. this winter in congress,
where he will seek a revision of the