The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1916-06-01
Washington Letter
From Our Regular Correspondent

tax will this year bring into the Treasury
$2s, 100000 more revenue than he
estimated last fall. This statement is
to be followed by the suggestion that
the stamp tax should be repealed.
Speaker Clark and other prominent
Democrats have advised the President
that the stamp tax is exceedingly un'
popular and is certain TO militiate
against Democratic success in Nov
ember. McAdoo will, therefore, do
little more juggling with the Govern
ment's finances, to the end that this
unpopularitY may be obviated until
after the November election. Juggling
the figures does not, however, produce
revenue. as every one knows. And
after the election the people will be
called upon TO pay the bill Then ac-
cording TO the present program Of the
Administration, there will be provided
increases in taxes sufficient to make
good those which are abolished pend
ing the election. This is not, Ct
course, an honorable method OF deal
ing with the finances Of the Govern
ment or with the people, But then
honor is not a matter Of Importance to
this Administration. Il was not honor
able to swell the Treasury balance BY
padding the general fund with sums
which did not belong there, but that
was what Secretary McAdoo did, as
has been pointed out in this core
spondence. and his purpose to abolish
unpopular taxes before the national
election, with the full knowledge that
excessive taxes will have 10 be collected
later in order 10 make good the Demo
cratic deficit, is entirely typical o! the
methods which the present Adminstra'
ton never hesitates to employ. 1t is
a kind Of politics which will not gain
any votes from intelligent voters.
HOUSE PASSES SHIPPING BILL
By a vote OF I'll 10 l6l the House
has passed the Mead 10 Wilson Ship
ping Bill, this being very nearly Tar'
ty vote. The bill was improved, in
the opinion oI some who voted for it,
by eliminating the Secretary Of the
Treasury from membership on tie
Shipping Board it creates ard the sub
s,itution Of Commerce, along with the
Secretary Of the Navy. Those acquaint-
ed with the characters Of the Secretar-
les OF the Navy and Of Commerce,
however, realize that this actually re.
suits in little Improvement. The bill
provides ior the investment OF $780,
100000 OF Government funds in ships,
to be built or bought or chartered at a
time when no such vessels can be
built in American shipyards because
Of their crowded condition-in time 10
aft ,rd relief Of the shortage Of shippin &
incident 10 the European War, and at
time when completed d
vessels can be neither bought nor
chartered except at exorbitant prices,
unless, Of course, it be the German
ships interned in American waters.
Many House Democrats are frank to
say that they voted for the bill rather
than incur enmitY Of the Admnistra
tion, but that they sincerely hope that
the Senate will defeat the measure.
T1LLMAN SHAMES DEMOCRATS: -
To the infinite horror Of Democrats in
both Houses Of Congress-, and OF the
Administration Senator Tillman, OF
South Carolina, has told some plain
truth about his party in debate in the
Senate. Mr.. Tillman has said that
the river aud harbor pork barrel"
which the Democrats are determined
to put through and on the provisions
OF which they are counting to aid them
in gaining re election, is simply "crimi-
nal waste" He has pointed out that
this sum would build two modem, first
class cruisers and has insisted that, in
view Of the condition Of the Navy, the
money ought to be spent in that way.
Describing conditions in Congress since
The Democrats have been in control,
Senator Tilman said. You vote for
my steal, ard | will vote for your steal,
l.. a.. .--..fz. Il