The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-06
Current Comment.
Revise the Tariff and Abolish the
War Tax.

WAT lax. a.tt E.
The administration is facing a de.
felt In the revenues OF the govern.
ment, and at the same time is forced
by circumstances 1t cannot control
to approve OF expenditures that are a
necessity to the safety and security
OF the republic and the interests Of
the people.
Not a citizen OF the United States
but is aware Of the decrease In
amount expected of revenues and the
cause OF such decrease through the
dislocation of trade occasioned by the
European war.
To the European war can be as.
cribed with reasons and truth the rise
In costs Of sugar, and the demon.
stration that with lower duty on that
article the prices Of the various
grades have been advanced. lRestora.
ton of that sugar duty would be
beneficial to the republics treasury.
Not n of u statesmen Of any
party foresaw the change in condi-
tions of trade which this war has pro.
duced.
1t was an administration blunder,
u. pUltllChi tIioi,7a uhtipilai iutsthhSt
to have placed q war tax upon tho
country.
It would have been better to have
revised the revised tariff and To have
accepted broadly and courageously
the changed conditions rs ground for
the new revision.
The Enquirer advanced that course
last August and September, but the
advice was not needed, the war tax
was voted by the congress, the peo-
plc wcre filed with resentment and
voted against the administration in
November.
Every month that war tax remains
will increase the discomfort Of the
people.
Every month the government 9 '
enues are exceeded by the expendi.
lures the administration will be
charged as responsible for the deficit
and held up in condemnation by its
political opponents. The Democratic
party leaders have It in their power
to change the political conditions now
visibly- urfavorab!e to the organiza'
tion.
They can change these conditions
and win the approval Of. the great
majority Of egpeople OF the Union.
They can change these conditions
by revising the revised tariff SO as to
produce all the revenue which the
government shall require and by
a%bolishing the obnoxious war tax.
This will be a case In which busi-
ness will not be depressed by a tariff
discussion and q tariff revision, for
that revision will mean higher aver
age duties.
1t will be a case Of tariff revision
that merchants and manufacturers
and people will not only not dread,
but one they will welcome and ap-
prove.
The country knows the government
requires more revenue; the admins.
tration Is keenly aware Of that de.
felt, and It finds itself unable to meet
the nations need for ships, for larger
navy, for greater army, for improve
ment OF waterways and for internal
improvements through lack Of suffi.
cient revenue.
The national needs should be pro.
vided for.
II the dQEnlulStFdllUu LAS ZIG soou
Judgment and the courage to advo.
cate revision Of the revised tariff, and
thus secure the needed revenue. abol-
ish the war tax and proceed with the
various measures that the interests
Of the nation and people demand, 1t
will not only confound its opponents.
hut win the support OF the masses of
the people,
II the President should call the
now congress In session for such pur-
pose the administration and the party
will have IS months in which the good
effects OF such revision will be felt
In every manufacturing, commercial
and financial district of the country.
What matters sarcasm and sneers
of the politicians of the opposition?
They are but froth as compared
with the solid Backing that would
come from the prosperous business
men, the contented agriculturists and
the busy forces of the wokingmen
in every town, city and state Of the
Union.
This is a situation where such &C.
ton will accomplish the greatest
good at one and the same time for
the republic, its people. the Demo.
cratic party and the administration.
Cincinnati Enquirer.