Abilene weekly reflector., 1916-01-06
TARIFF BROUGHT
TREASURY DEFICIT
ID. II. Anthony Scores War Tax of
the Democrats
THEY BROKE ECONOMY PLEDGI
Democrats Have Not Fulfilled Prom
ise, Kansas Congressman De-
clares-PeOple Pay
the Bills

Leavenworth, Dec. 31.-That
congress has accomplished practic-
ally nothing at the preliminary ses-
sion just closed by the holiday re-
cess is the word brought by Repre-
sentative d. r. Anthony, who re-
turned from Washington and gave
out the following statement:
"The only measure passed was
the extension Of the so-called war
tax for another year. Later on the
Democratic administration plans to
supplement this with further direct
tax legislation to make up the rap
idly growing deficit in the United
States treasury. Before the end Of
the year 1916 the people of this
country who transact its business
will be so plastered over with rev.
enue stamps of all descriptions that
they will be sick and tired of the
Democratic mismanagement of ma
tional affairs which is responsible
for them.
II voted against the war tax in
time of peace and intend voting
against all other forms of stamp
tax laws. In spite of the revenue re-
ceived from the so-called war tax
and the padding of statements of
cash balances in the United States
treasury the administration will
still find itself more than $125,000,-
600 to the bad at the close of the
fiscal year More direct taxes will
be piled upon the people, and the
president will be forced to retain
the duty on sugar, which he so
strongly condemned during his
campaign.
The claim of the administration
supporters that the shortage in the
national treasury is due to the war
in Europe is In my opinion abso-
lutely incorrect. In the first place
part of the trouble is caused by the
failure of the Democratic majority
In congress to practice economy as
they promised the people. The expen-
ditures of the last congress are
$174,0O0,0O0 greater than the pre-
vious Republican congress.
THAT the deficit in the treasury |
is largely caused by the Underwood
10 per cent free trade tariff bill Is
conclusively proved by the figures
of the importations for the fiscal
year, 1915, which amounted to ST.
674, 100000 on which we collected
customs amounting to $209,000.000.
"The total imports OF 1912 with
a Republican tariff law still in force
were 1853, 100000, on which we
collected 100000 at the Gus
tom houses. A deficit of over $780,
100000 has been caused by the
Underwood tariff bill alone.
"The question of to what extent
our military forces shall be aug
mented is still in the air. The house
committee has held but
one meeting and will commence
hearings on the question early in
January. l have had preliminary
talk with Chairman Hay, and have
been assured by him that no attempt
will be made to pass political or
an administration programme. In
my opinion the continental army
scheme of Secretary Garrison's to
raise an auxiliary force of 100000
men, is doomed to defeat. l shall
oppose it. l believe that j
when the army bill leaves our COM +,
nittee it will provide for a reason (,
lble increase in infantry and field
artillery regiments for the regular
army with a moderate national I
guard pay bill which will build up {
,ur national guard as a defense I
orce instead of the proposed con t
mental army
Before leaving Washington l 7
vas told at the war department c
hat the situation on the Mexican
'order was quieting down to such
n extent that the early return OF 7
he troops belonging to the garri- 2
ons of Fort Leavenworth and Fort a
Iiley might soon be brought
bout"
'ONTRABAND GOODS TAKEN +