South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-11
Provisions of Republican
PIankS AdObted Thursday


md sincere assistance on the part
v The executive departments are
essential 20 effective economy and
constructive retrenchment
Domcnant Tact.
The Overmau act invested the
president of tho United States with
tu the authority and power neccs-
ury 20 restore the federal govern
aent 20 "A normal peace basis and
0 Feorgauize. rctrench and demobil-
re. The dominant fact Is that IS
uonths after the armisticc tho
uited States government is still on
war time basis and the eXpend-
rure program OF the executive re-
5ects war time extravaganza rather
han rigid peace time economy.
As an example Of the failure 90
,yotrench which has characterized the
. ost-V'ar policy OF the administra-
ion. ne cite the fact that not in
,uding tho war and navy depart
nentR The executive departments
md other establishments az Wash
.ugton actually record an increase
subsequent TO the armistice OF Pisa
employees The net decrease In pay
roll costs contained IN the 1921 de-
mands submitted by the administra
zion Is only one percent under that
Of 1920 The annual expenses OF
federal operation can be reduced
hundreds OF millions OF dollars
without impairing the efficiency or
The public service. We pledge our
selves 20 a carefully planned re-
adjustment TO peace time basis
and 20 a policy Of rigid economy 10
lie better coordination OF depart
mental activities 10 the elimination
n unnecessary officials and employees
and 10 the raising OF standard indi-
.idual efficiency.
We congratulate the republican
congress on the enactment Of law
providing for the establishment OF
an executive budget as "A necessary
Instrument for "a sound and business
ike administration OF the national
finances. and we condemn the veto
Of the president who defeated this
great financial reform.
Favor Probe.
EORGASIZATIOS: Reorganiza-
ton OF federal departments and bu-
reas-We advocate a thorough IN
Vestigation OF the present organiza
ton OF the federal departments and
bureaus. with a view TO securing
distribution OF functions. the elm
ination OF duplication, delays, and
overlapping OF work, and the estab-
fishing OF an up-tO-date and effec-
tual administrative organization.
- WAR POWERS OF THE PRESI-
DENT. The president clings ten
aciousIy to his autocratic war time
mowers. His veto OF the resolutions
-saN al IN
sign the bill repeating war time
legislation. no longer necessary, evil
dences his determination not TO re
store 10 the nation and 10 the states
the form Of government provided
FOR by the constitution. This usurp-
RtiOn Is intOlerable and deserves the
eeverest condemnation
TAXATION: The burden OF tax
atiOn imposed upon TIE American
people is staggering. but in present
ing true statement OF the situation
we must face the fact that while the
character OF the taxes can and
should be changed, an early reduc-
ton OF the amount OF revenue TO be
raised is not TO be expected. The
next republican administration viii
inherit from its democratic predeCes-
For a floating Indebtedness Of over
$4,000. 600 900 the prompt liquida-
tion or which is demanded by sound
financial considerations.
Moreover. the whole fiscal policy
Of the government must be deeply
Influenced by the necessity Of meet
Eng obligations in excess Of $500
coo. 900. which natures in 1928. But
sound policy equally demands the
early accomplishment OF that real
- 90 s.rr-HarR WI a. n
may be achieved by substituting
simple for complex tax laws and
procedure. prompt and certain de-
termination OF the tax liability FOR
delay and uncertainty. tax laws
which do not form tax laws which
do excessively mulCt the consumer
cor needlessly repress enterprise and
thrift.
Simple Income Returns.
We advocate the issuance OF a
sinplifed form OF income return,
authorizing the treasury department
10 make changes IN regulations ef-
fective only from the date OF their
approval: empowering the commits
Fioner OF internal revenue with the
consent OF the taxpayer 20 make
final and conclusive settlements OF
tax claims and assessments barring
fraud and the creation OF a tax
board consisting OF at least three
representative OF the taNpaying
public and the heads OF the principal
departments Of the bureau Of In
7ernal revenue 20 act as a standing
committee on the simplifiCation OF
forms. procedure and law, and 20
make recommendations TO the con-
Eress.
Banking and Currency.
The fact Is that the war. 20
great extent. was financed by a
policy Of initiation through certih-
cate borrowing from the banks and
bonds issued az artificial rates suS-
tanned by the low discount rates
established by the federal reserve
board The continuance OF th!,
policy since the armistice lays the
administration open 10 severe crit
icism Almost up 20 the present
time the practices Of the federal
-yeserve board as 20 credit control
have been frankly dominated 10y
the conveniences of the treasury.
The results have been a greatly
increased war cost. a serious loss ga
the millions Of people who iu good
Faith bought Liberty bonds and Vic
tory notes at par. and extensive
posf war speculation. followed today
~, restricted credit for legitimate
g.. .istrial expansion. AS matter
y Do 4.