The Washington times., 1920-08-07

which the world has just passed. The
cooperation OF the United States with
the league and it's continuance as
member thereof, will naturally depend
upon the adherence Of the league 10
that fundamental purpose
"Such a declaration would at least
express the view Of the United states
and justify the course which our ma
ton would unqucstionably follow II
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 a. the same time Y"
meet the objections OF those who De-
iieve that we might be inviting a con.
troversy over our constitutional
rights, by making a Senatorial addt-
tion in words something like these:
at will, of course, be understood
that in carrying out the purpose or
the league, the Government OF the
United States must at all times act IN
strict harmony with the terms and IN
tent Of the United States Constitution
which cannot in any way be altered
by the treaty-making power.
Unquestioned friends Of the league
have made other proposals. Our plat
form clearly lays no bar against any
additions that will be helpful but II
speaks in a firm resolution to stand
against any thing that disturbs the
vital principle. We hear It said that
interpretations are unnecessary. 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 reserva-
tions that are not expressed in plain
words, as a matter of good faith to
our associates. Such interpretations
possess the further virtue OF supply
ing a base upon which agreement
can be reached. and agreement with
out injury to the covenant. Is now
Of pressing Importance. 1t was the
desire to get things started. that
prompted some members Of the Sem
ate to vote for the Lodge reservations
Those who conscientiously voted for
them in the Anal roll calls realized
however that they voted after duress
in that a politically bigoted minority
was exercising the arbitrary power
Of it's position to enforce drastic
conditions. Happily the voters of the
republic, under our system OF Govern
ment, can remedy that situation, ana
I have the faith that they will, at
the election this fall. Then organ
ized government will be enabled to
combine impulse and facility in the
making of better world conditions
The agencies of exchange will auto
matically adjust themselves to the
opportunities OF commercial freedom.
New life and renewed 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.
DOMESTIC PROBLEMS TO SETTLE.
We have domestic problems to be
settled. They are most pressing.
Many conditions growing out of the
war will not and should not continue.
The work of readjustment will call
for our best energy, ingenuity, un-
selnshness and devotion to the idea
that II is tho general welfare we
must promote. One of the hrst
things to be done is the repeal of war
taxes. The entry Of America into the
world war projected our people into
an unparalleled financial emergency.
which was faced with a determine
tion to make every sacrifice neces-
sary to victory. Billions in liberty
,oans subscribed by patriots regard
less of their financial condition were
instantly placed at the disposal of
the Government, and other billions
were gladly paid into the treasury
through many forms of taxation. To
have paid by current taxes more
than one-third of the expense OF the
greatest war IN the history of man
kind. Is a reflection on the high sense
OF national duty with which we of
America view the obligations of this
generation. Immediately following
the armistice measures to modify
onerous and annoying taxation should
have been taken and the Republican
Congress in which all tax laws must
originate, and which for almost two
years has exclusively held the power
to ameliorate this condition, has not
made a single effort or passed n sin
gle law to lift Dom the American
people a load OF war taxation that
cannot be tolerated in a time of
peace.
Federal taxation must be heavily
reduced, and II will be done at once,
X Democratic administration II
chosen in November. without ham
pering essential national administra-
tive departments, by tho eliminate
OF all others and strict economy tv-
orywhere, national taxes can be re-
duccd in excess of 81, ,000, 900. 900 year
ly. Annoying consumption taxos. once
willingly borne, now unjustifed,
should be repealed. The Incomes
from war-made fortunes, those of
non-producers and those derived from
Industries that exist by unfair priv
ilege may be able to carry their pres
ent load, but taxes on the earnings
OF the wage Garner, Of the salaried
and professional pan. OF the asriool-
turai producer. NnA Of the small
tradesman shousA be sharply modi-