Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1920-08-12

tion would unquestionably follow II
the basic purpose Of the League were
at any time distorted. 1t would also
appear to be II simpler matter to pro-
syide against any misunderstanding in
the future and at the same time to
meet the objections of those who be-
lieve that we might be Inviting con-
troversy over our constitutional rights
by making senatorial addition In
words something like these:
at will of course be understood
that in carrying out the purpose of the
League, the government of the United
States must at all time act In strict
harmony with the terms and intent OF
the United States Constitution which
cannot In any way be altered by the
treaty-making power
Helpful Additions Not Barred.
"Unquestioned friends Of the
League have made other proposals.
Our platform clearly lays no bar
against any additions that VIII he help
full, but e speaks in firm resolution
to stand against anything that dis
lurbs the vital principle. We hear 1t
said that interpretations are unnneces-
sary. That may be true, but they will
at least be reassuring to many of our
citizens, who feel tiat in signing the
treaty, there should be no mental res
ervatlons that are not expressed In
plain words, as matter ot good faith
to our associates. Such interpreta-
lions possess the furl!;.l virtue OF
supplying base upon which agree
ment can be reached, and agreement,
without injury to tie c'nvai,at, is
now of pressing Importance. It, was
the desire to get things started, that
prompted some members of the senate
to vote for the Lodge reservations.
Those who conScentiously voted for
them in the final roll calls realized, I
however that they acted under duress,
in TINT politically bigoted minority
was exercising the arbitrary power of
its position to enforce drastic condl-
tons. Happily the voters of the re,
public, under our system OF govern
ment, can remedy that situation, and
have the faith that they will, at the
election this fall. Then organized
government will be enabled to combine
Impulse and facility In the making of
better world conditions. The agencies
of exchange will automatically adjust
themselves to the opportunities OF
commercial freedom. New life and re-
newed hope will take hold Of every
nation. Mankind will press n resolute
shoulder to the task Of REIMBURSEMENT,
and new era will have dawned upon
the earth
Federal Taxation.
Federal taxation must be heavily
reduced, and it will be done at once,
II Democratic administration Is
chosen in November. Without hamper
Ing essential national administrative
departments, by the elimination of all
others and strict economy everywhere,
national taxes can he reduced in ex-
cess of two billion dollars yearly. An
moving consumption taxes, once will
Ingly borne, now unjustified, should he
reppaled The Incomes from warmade
fortunes, those Of non-producers and
these derived from industries that exist
by unfair privilege may he able to
carry their present load. but taxes on
the earnings of the wage-earner, Of the
salaried and professional man, OF the
agricultural producer and OF the small
tradesman should he sharply modified.
| believe that better form Of taxation
than the so-called excess profits tax
may he found and I suggest small
tax. probably one to one and One-half
per cent on the total business of every
going concern. 1t Is to be understood
that the term business as used does
not include income received by wage
earners. saaried men, agriculturists
and the small business man who should
he exempt from this tax. The profiteer
and some of the highly capitalized
units have used the excess profits tax
MS a favorte excuse for loading on the
consumer by means Of highly inflated
selling prices many times the amount
actually paid the government. A
necessary condition to the national
contentment and sound business Is
Just proportion between fair profits to
business and fair prices to the con-
sumner.
Would Halt Profiteering.
1.-THE tribe of profiteers has simply
multiplied under the favoring circum-
stances Of war. Fer years, large con
tributions have been made to the Re-
publican campaign fund for no pur-
pose except to buy a governmental
underhold and to make Illegal profits
as the result Of preference. Such
largesses are today greater menace
to our contentment and our institu-
lions than the countless temporary
profiteers who are making mOckery
Of honest business, but who can live
and fatten only In time Of disturbed
prices If am called to service as
president means will be found, If they
do not already exist, for compelling
these exceptions to the great mass of
square dealing American business
men, to use the same yardstick of
honesty that governs most of us In
our dealings with our fellOwmen. or
in language that they may understand,
to suffer the penalty of criminal law.
1T has been my observation that the
man who learns our language, yields
to controlling public opinion and
respects our laws; besides, in proper
ton as his devotion to American life
develops his interest in the impulsive
processes of revolution diminishes
We must be patient In the work of as
similaton and studiously avoid oppres-
sive measures in the face of mere
evidence of misunderstanding. The
necessity for the drastic laws of
war days Is not present now.