The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1920-08-13

a. ahy TIME OlSlOIlcQ- IL hOuiu hiou
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 thar We might be inviting a con-
troversy over our constitutional rights.
by making b senatorial additios 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 u at all dme 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.
"Unquestloned friends OF the
League have made other proposals.
Our platform clearly lays no bur
against any additions that win be help
full, but II speaks in a firm resolution
to stand against anything that dis.
turbs the vital principle. We hear II
said that Interpretations are uRnneces,
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
ervatlOns that are not Expressed in
plain words, as a matter of good faith
to our associates. Such interpreta.
tons POSSESS the further virtue Of
supplying a base upon which agree
ment can be reached, and agreement,
without injury TO the covenant, Is
now Of pressing importance. II was
the desire TO get things started, that
prompted some members of the senate
to vote for the Lodge reservations.
Those whn coase!eG;!ousIy voted for
them In the final roll calls realized,
however, that they acted under duress,
In that q politically bigoted minority
was exercising the arbitrary power Of
Its position to enforce drastic condl-
lions. Happily the voters Of Tie re-
public, under our system OF govern
menL can remedy that situation, and |
have the faHh thai they will, at the
election this fall. Then organized
government will he 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 a resolute
shoulder to the task of readjustment,
and a new era will have daw ned upon
the earth.
Federal Taxation.
Federal taxation must be heavily
reduced, and II will be done at once,
II 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 he reduced In ex.
cess OF two billion dollars yearly. An
moving consumption taxes. 0ncp will.
lngly borne, TO- u~nJustified. should be
repealed. The incomes from war-made
fortunes, those Of n%on-producers and
those derived rom industries that exist
by unfair privilege may he able to
carry their present load. hut 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 a better form OF taxation
than the so-called excess profits tax
may be found and | suggest a small
tax, probably one 10 one and one-Aalf
per cent on the total business Of every
going concern II 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 prohteer
and some Of the highly capitalized
units have used the excess profits tax
as a favorlte excuse for loading on the
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 Profteerlne.
THE tribe OF protiteers has simply
multiplied under the favoring circum.
stances Of var 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
as the result OF preference. Such
largesses are today a greater menace
TO our contentmeni and u insttu.
lions than the countless temporary
proiteers who are making q mockery
OF honest business, but who can live
and fatten only IN time Of disturbed
prices II ! am called to service as
president means Will be found, II they
do not already exist, for compelling
these exceptions TO the great mass Of
square dealing American business
men. to use the same yardstiek OF
honesty hat governs most OF US 10
our dealings With our fellowmen, OF
In language that they may understand,
to suffer the penalty Of criminal law,
ut has been my observation that the
man who learns our language, yields
70 a controlling public opinion and