River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-06-01
A Real Move For
Worldwide Peace

propaganda 0nSag6u III urging Wal
like preparations it is relief to
know that definite program for a
worldwide peace has been launched
in Washington during the past week.
Naturally it is an ambitious move
and is proposed, in some way to pre-
vent future wars. Arbitration courts
are involved in the plan which is not
in the hands of Mr. Bryan or any
well known peace advocate as may
be supposed, but Ex-President Taft.
Secretary Of War. Baker, Oscar
Straus and other men of national
note are among the leaders. Head
ed by a secretary of war and an eX-
secretary (Mr. Taft it would seem
that we may be urging peace
through those who swing the club
but that is what we always recognize
in policeman. Straus and others
expressed themselves in favor of in
creased armament for this country,
believing the purpose and hope of
starting a practical peace movement
is stronger and more likely to sue
coed if it possesses strong club of
its own.
The Naval bill is before the House
and will be finished by the last of
the week. The bill provides a pro-
gram much larger than any hereto
fore presented, but the minority re-
port urges a far greater program
and larger expenditures. The bill
as drawn will go through the House
with little change.
A personal letter from a good
friend the other day said he did not
believe the average taxpayer is
greatly interested in reference to
the fight against what are known as
wasteful pork barrel bills because
the tax payer doesn't see where his
taxes are lowered. At the risk of
repetition | will suggest that tax
payer can easily understand the eff
feet of increased war taxes whether
from income, inheritance. bank
checks, mortgages, drugs or gaso-
line. Every additional million to be
raised involves an increase in rate Of
taxation or enlargement of the ar
ticles to be taxed. so that if twenty
million dollars could be saved in the
river and harbor bill this year, it
would mean generous cut in the
revenue producing bill which must
be passed later. This figure was my
proposal in the House but we did
not get votes enough to put it
through. Senator Husting of Wis
consin has offered the same amend
ment of $20,000,000 instead of $42,-
100000 now carried by the bill in
the Senate, and made vigorous at
tack against the bill which also has
been riddled by Senators Kenyon,
Smoot. Sherman, Tillman, Taggart
and others. Both senators from
Wisconsin and nine out of eleven
members from our state have vigor-
ouslv opposed the bill this session all
of which is respectfully referred to
those who scoffed at the movement
started three years ago of putting
the search light on such wasteful
bills.
The District of Columbia bill after
week discussion was passed Fri
day. All the appropriations for the
government of the city of Washing
ton have to be made by Congress.
The city is governed by commission
ers who are appointed by the presi-
dent, but every dollar appropriated
forrcarrying on the city government
from the judges on the bench to
the white wings that sweep the
streets, all are provided for by
Congress. In other words, more
time was given to the District bill
regulating the affairs of the city,
than will be given to the $24l 100000
naval bill which is put through I'M
der a rule. Some day Congress will
get away from the cumbersome, I'M
businesslike custom of acting in the
capacity of a common council for
Washington, but at the present writ
ing we sit in solemn judgment, de-
termining whether a city fireman
shall receive two. three or more dol
lars day, while every automobile
used by the city requires as much
consideration by House and Senate
as would be given by county