The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-12-10
Widespread Dissatisfaction
With Things as They Exist
Everywhere is Repub-
lican Report.
PREDICT 1920 VICTORY
Business Asks Elimination Of War
Taxes and There is Little In
terest In League of
Nations.
IBy L. c. Martin, United Press Staff
Correspondent.

[By L. c. Martin, United Press Staff
Correspondent
WASHINGTON Dec. 10.-Dissatis-
faction with things as they exist
everywhere among the American peo-
pie and the issues of the 1920 po-
litical campaign are echoes OF the
widespread demand for a change in
the present order, according to re-
ports brought to Washington by re-
publican politicians here today to at
tend the meeting of the republican
national committee. The chief issue,
these men say, is demand for differ
ent policies of government. This as
sures republican victory, they argue,
on the ground that the democratic
party will not change existing gov
ernment policies while it's present
leaders are in control.
Translating the reported demand
for change into practical details.
committee members and other trained
political observers here were prac-
tically united in asserting the great
est complaint is against taxes.
Business men demand elimination
of the many kinds OF war taxation,
the return of taxation to simple
peace OASIS dHu CoIioluSiIbiO tSNuS
tion in rates, it was declared.
Next to tax reduction, the people
are said to want an end to govern
mental control. or, as they put 1t,
according to one politician. govern
mental interference with the prices
of food, the law of supply and de-
mand and public utilities.
That strong and apparently IN
creasing demand for treaty Tatlflca-
ton exists appears certain from what
little can be CLEANED from almost
monosylablical answers to inquiries
along this line. Again it is the bust
ness men who are interested.
AS to the league of nations, com.
mitteemen who would discuss 1T said
there appeared to be little interest
in it.
Every politician questioned about
issues mentioned Americanism.
There is much vagueness as to just
what that is to mean in the party
platform. The demand along this
line, committee men said, is for
change in the governments policy
toward agitators. Drastic laws and
rigid enforcement of them is desired,
it was stated.
The high cost of living will be an
issue. most observers said, but, as
one Of them added:
"The country has seen and heard
a lot about cutting the cost OF living,
and they don't expect. any political
party to succeed in doing it.
Campaign Of Efficiency.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-Detailed
plans for a campaign Of efficiency
were made today by the republican
national committee at its meeting
here.
The committee, Chairman Hays an
nounced, authorized appointment OF a
platform conference with many or
the characteristics of an industrial
commission, to sit continuously from
now until the end of the convention,
when it will make report embody-
ing suggestions as to platform planks,
based on six months study of ma
tional problems.
Hays also announced formation OF
a council consisting of the twelve
members of the national committee
who are members of the special COM
mittee on platform and policy, and
twelve others, four of whom are 70
he women. The province of the coun'
Gil would be to deliberate on mat.
ters touching party welfare and to
make recommendations for consider
alton of the national committee itself.
The plan is to bring to the aid OF
the national committee the expert
ence of some of the strongest party
men and women. it was stated. en-
abling the committee to coordinate
al, sorts Of party activity and to
make certain that all the different
shades of party opinion will get con-
sideration by the national committee.
Other bodies to be appointed IN
(Cnnt1ys7ed ON page "a