The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-02-03

or having business dealings with them.
Out Of the discussion in which diplo-
matte Washington has been engaged
since the news was published that Ger.
many. considered making separate
peace with Belgium, there developed the
opinion that the publication itself was
in the nature Of "peace feeler.'' In
every diplomatic quarter, excepting on
ly at the British embassy, entire readi-
ness to discuss the question of separate
peace was manifested. From an au-
thoritative source it was learned that
the British policy is to fight to the
finish, no matter whether Germany sue
ceeds in concluding separate peace with
every one of her allies.
The decision of the United States
supreme court, upholding the constitu-
tionality Of the income tax law, in the
opinion of administration leaders in
congress, has unfettered a fruitful
source Of taxation and made easier the
revenue problem confronting the gov
eminent. 1t was declared by Repre-.
sentative Hull Of Tennessee that with
out any unusual or unjust changes the
law can be made to yield an addition
al 100000, 900, annually, which is a
sum Of sufficient proportions to make
it possible, if the leaders deem it ad-
visable, to discard most of the mis-.
cellaneous taxes suggested by Pres
ident Wilson and Secretary McAdoo
with view to meeting the $50, 100000
deficit in the treasury and for army
and navy expansion. At present the
law brings into the treasury about
$50, 100000.
Speculation is still playing about
tariff commission-about taking the
tariff out of politics-about putting the
tariff on "a scientific basis" what
ever that may mean. The latest story
is that the president will ask such &C.
ton Of congress. It was believed until
recently that the federal trade commits.
sion had full power to deal with the
tariff in certain directions, but now it
is said the chief executive has come
to the conclusion that the powers of
that body are entirely too limited to
meet the demands Of the business for
real tariff commission. What the pres.
ident will propose, it is said, is broad.
guage commission clothed with full pow
er to treat the tariff in scientific fash
ion.
The fight Of former Representative
H. Robert, Herman Schulteis and Henry
B. Martin, indicted with Representative
Buchanan in the southern district of
New York, against removal to that dis
trict for trial, is being bitterly waged
before United States Commissioner
Taylor here. The indictment alleges
that the defendants conspired to re-
strain the shipments of munitions of
war to foreign countries. The con-
spring to influence others to prevent
the manufacture of munition products.
and that this is not an offense against
the Sherman law, and compared their
acts to propaganda against the use or
manufacture Of liquor, which is re-
straint of commerce would make every
temperance organization conspirator.
Among the unique ~ocIal features of
the social season now on were the fes-
Invites Of last week at which the pres
ident and Mrs. Wilson were the guests
and hosts. The diplomatic dinner at
which they entertained so brilliantly
was an epoch in its way, representing
as it did, the official solution of the
complex diplomatic guest list which has
sorely troubled Washington hostesses
since the beginning of the war, by Civ
ing official dinners in turn in honor
of the representatives of the contend
ing European powers. The Vice Presi-
dent and Mrs. Marshall, who has re-
covered her health, will resume the
giving Of receptions similar to those
given the first winter of the admins
tration. and will be among the most
brilliant evening functions Of the sea
son.