Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-10-02

are 70 nave the part in this strug-
gle which we all must covet. IL
we are to be worthy of those who
have gone to the front we must
strive In every possible way to
serve where we can and when we
can.
There has been a wide difference OF
opinion among the American people
as to the wisdom and necessity or our
country entering this war. But car
we discuss or even consider that ques-
ton now when our own fellow citi-
zens. our neighbors and friends, our
own countrymen, are on the way tc
the front"
FROM THIS TIME FORWARD
THERE CAN BE BUT ONE THING
ABOUT WHICH LOYAL AMERI-
CANS CAN DIFFER AND THAT is
TO THE WISEST AND THE MOST
EFFECTIVE MEANS AND POLICIES
TO BRING THIS WAR TO AN HON
ORABLE CONCLUSION.
THE great eminent serious fact Is
that we are at war and the great emf
nent serious problem is how are we
to get through with 1t with honor and
at the same time with as little sac
rifice of life as possible?
A thoroughly aroused and dctermin-
ed people at nome will help immense
ly those at the front and may preserve
many human life. We may have
different views as how best to serye
the cause as to what policies are
Wisest. but certainly we must stand n
unit IN purpose. in loyalty, In devotion
to the republic and our blessed Amer
lean institutions. Theoe men who
have been called have closed ranks
and are on the way to the trenches
in the name of their welfare, AND IN
THE NAME OF OUR COMMON
COUNTRY LET'S CLOSE RANKS
AT HOME.
sTUPENDoUs TASK.
Our task is greater than that any
people ever undertook. Its end NAV
come sooner than many expect or IL
may be prolonged But in any event
and under all circumstances It is
proper that we appreciate what we
nave undertake. and screw our cour-
age to the sticking point.
TAXING WAR PROFITS.
Those who are opposed to taxing
war profits are now urging that the
best way to deal with the matter IN to
fix prices 30 that there viii be none
of these great profits to tax. Fine!
Splendid! But may l call their atten-
tion and particularly your attention to
some history 30 recent that it should
not have bcensoverlooked
when the food administration bin
was before the senate the question of
fixing prices was fought out. Upon one
side of the question, and opposed to
fixing prices, were those who are now
opposed to taxing war profits; upon
the other side of the question and In
favor of fixing prices are those who
are now advocating the taxing of war
profits
Il had the honor myself of Offering
an amendment authorizing the govern
ment to fix the prices upon all articles
OF use in the war and all staple arti-
,les which enter into the cost of daily
living. Other senators offered amend
nents along the same line, perhaps
more effective and comprehensive. At
my rate. we succeeded In the first in
stance in securing the adoption in sub
stance of these amendments. The gov
eminent was authorized to fix prices
ipon all things essential to war and
essential to living.
But after the adoption OF the
the same influences which
opposed adequate taxes on war prof
to became interested and started q
light to reconsider these amendments
md to eliminate them from the bill. |
{ was long debate. The entire ques-
ion was fought out and you will find
III of the amendments, TIE debates
nd the votes in the Congregational
record. No one need to be In doubt or
nisled as to the fact.
The argument of those now oppos-
ng high war profit taxes. and then
pposing price fixing. was that 1t would |
amper business, produce industrial
'anic, limit munitions output and en-
'arrass the war. They said: DO not |
tut business in a straight jacket, give |
hese manufacturers OF munitions, and |
70 forth, full freedom, let them pro-
luce the goods and II they mako too |
much profits we will tax them / re-
member well, indeed, how a most able |
nd distinguished senator pleaded for
BUSINESS freedom, not for the sake
II business but for the sake of war.
also remember a very severe editorial
n Brooklyn paper attacking these
rice fixing amendments, and incident
lily myself. saying that 1t would break
own these munition plants cripple
BUSINESS and was in the interest of
iermany.
BY THE SAME VOTES.
In short, IL you will examine the
Record you wilIS find
hat the same influences. THE SAME
'ARTIES IN CONGRESS WHO DE-
'EATED FINALLY THE PRICE
liking AMEND MENTS WE'RE
THOSE WHO DE-
'EATED THE WAR PROFITS TAX.
,ou will find the alignment almost
recisely the same In both instances
kept in changed positions.
Those who now say let US fix prices
1stead of taxing war profits are,
therefore,, simply INDUCING In a tango
rgument all Of which grows out of