Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-08-19

and Justify the course which our ma
ton would unQuestionably follow If
the basic purpose of the League were
at any time distorted. 1t would also
appear to be a simpler matter to pro-
vide 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 a con-
troversy over our constitutional rights,
by making a senatorial addition in
words something like these:
"'1t 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 will be help
ful, but it speaks in a firm resolution
to stand against anything that dis
turbs the vital principle, We hear it
said that interpretations are %unnneces-
sary. That may be true, but they will
at least be ~reassuring to many Of our
citizens, who feel that In signing the
treaty, there should be no mental res
ervations that are not expressed In
plain words, as a matter Of good faith
to u associates. Such i~nterpreta-
lions possess the further virtue of
supplying q base upon which agree
nent can be reached, and agreement,
without injury to the covenant, Is
now Of pressing Importance. 1t was
lhe desire to get things started, that
prompted some members Of the senate
10 vote for the Lodge reservations.
Those who conscientiously voted for
Them In the final roll calls realized,
however, that they acted under duress,
IN that a politically bigoted minority
was exercising the arbitrary power of
its position to enforce drastic condi-
lions. Happily the voters Of the re-
public, under our system Of govern
nent, can remedy that situation, and I
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-
hewed hope will take hold of every
nation. Mankind will press a resolute
shoulder to the task of readjustment,
and a new era will have dawned upon
the earth.
Federal Taxation.
Federal taxation must be heavily
reduced, and 1t will be done at once,
If a 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 be reduced in ex-
cess Of two billion dollars yearly. An
moving consumption taxes, once will
ingly borne, now unjustified, should be
repealed. The incomes from war-made
fortunes, those Of non-producers and
those derived from industries that exist
by unfair privilege may be 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 be sharply modified.
l believe that a better form of taxation
than the so-called excess profits tax
may be found and I suggest a 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, salaried men, agriculturists
and the small business man who should
be exempt from this tax. The profteer
and some of the highly capitalized
units have used the excess profits tax
a favorite 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 a
just proportion between fair profits to
business and fair prices to the con-
sumner.
Would Halt Profiteerlng.
"The tribe Of profiteers has simply
multiplied under the favoring circum.
stances Of war. For 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
the result Of preference. Such
largesses are today a greater menace
to u contentment and our institu-
lions than the countless temporary
profteers who r making a mockery
Of honest business, but who can live
and fatten only in time Of disturbed
If I 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 MS in