The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-13
THREE FACTIONS IN NATION TRYING ID
 4CASH IN ON WAR
Suffragettes, Prohibition ists and High Protection ists Using Crisis to Put
 Forward Demands
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington, May Especial )-Selt- styled progressives of various denomina- tions are endeavoring to prove that the abnormal demands of the government ir time of war are traceable to democratic incompetence. These elements of Amer ican political life are welded to the theory that war in addition to horrors, brings opportunities. They are demand ing change. They are urging the demo- cratic administration to do those things which throughout all previous history this and other administrations of like faith declined to do.
 First of all, the suffragettes come for ward with their propaganda. Everywhere in Washington they maye themselves con- spicuous. About the capitol and the office buildings, their pickets are stationed, and their banners address to the Pres ident their forever repeated query: How long must women wait for lbery?" Their banners declare too, that 'n time of war England and Russia enfranchised women" Further, they indirectly sug- gest that unless the American Congress gives the ballot to the women, Germany cannot be beaten into submission
 The second faction which beholds an opportunity in consequence of the war is the prohibition faction. They are pie turing an era of starvation, and base . their conclusion on two contingencies, the one being the fact that on account of the great number of men engaged in the strife, the few must feed the null titGde, and the other their contention that in brewing and distilling 6O0o08,O0o bushels of grain are consumed annually in America. It is their plea that unless the Congress enacts ma tion- wide prohibit tion laws, Germany cannot be beaten into submission. Against their plea, the government presents data sustaining the point that about three-fourths of l per cent of American grain production enters into the process of fermentation. and that as a, result of the business of fermen- tation the treasury is replenished in the annual sum of S250 900 900. which will soon be increased to $500, coo 900.
 But the boldest of these factions which on account of the war demands a change in democratic methods of procedure is the protectionists of the republican party. The protectionsts of the repub- lican party are regarded as separate ana distinct from the rank and file of that They are regarded as the giant manufacturers of the east who, having glutted themselves with war prof it's, balk against paying their share of income and excess profit taxes They are demanding that Congress instead of tax ing directly for war purposes, tax con sumption by means of a tariff for the protection of industry. According to the democratic theory, they would shove the burden from the shoulders of those most able to bear onto the shoulders of those now stumbling beneath their burden.
 There are perhaps others who behold an opportunity for themselves as a re- suit of the war. The three factions mem toned, however, are. the most conspicu- ous around the halls of Congress. They are industriousy plying their trade. As to what the result will be, no one at this time is aware.