The Crittenden press., 1920-08-13

the basic purpose Of the League were
at any time distorted. II would also
appear to be simpler matter to pro-
vide against any misunderstanding In
the future and ut the same time to
meet the objections Of those who be-
lisve that we might be inviting a con.
troversy over our constitutional rights,
BY making a 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 bs altered by the
tresty-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
full. bst It speaks 10 a firm resolution
to stand against anything that dis
thrbs 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 that In signing the
treaty, there should be no mental res
ervations that are not expressed in
plain words, as matter Of good faith
to our associates. Such interpreta-
uons possess the further virtue Of
supplying a base upon which agree
ment can be reached. and agreement,
without injury to the convenant, 10
now Of pressing Importance. II was
the 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 Anal roll calls realized,
however, that they acted under duress,
In that u politically bigoted minority
was exercising the arbitrary power Of
Its position to enforce drastic condi-
tons. Happily the voters Of the rs-
public, under our system Of govern.
ment 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 ~
nswed hope will take bold of every
nation. Mankind will press q resoluts
shoulder to the task Of readjustment.
and 4 new era will have dswned upon
the earth.
Federal raxatlsn. Il
"Federal taxation must be heavily
reduced, AND II win be done at once,
II q Democratic administration II
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 sx.
cess Of tive billion dollars yearly. An
noying consumption taxes, once will.
ingly borne, now unjustifed, should be
repealed The incomes from war.made
fortunes, those Of non-producers and
these derived from Industries that exist
By unfair privilege may bs able to
carry their present load. but taxes on
the earnings Of the wageearner, of the
salaried and professional man, Of the
agricultural producer and Of the small
tradesmsn should be sharply modified.
] believe that q better form Of taxa ton
than the so-called excess profits tax
may be found and I suggest a small
tar, probably one to one and one.half
per cent on the total business Of every
going concern. II Is 10 be understood
that the term business as used does
net include Income received by wage
earners, salaried men, sgriculturlsts
and the small business man who should
be exempt from this tax. The profiteer
and some Of the highly capitalized
units have used the excess profits tax
as q 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 10 q
Just proportion between fair profits 70
business and fair prices to the con.
sumer.
Would Halt Prontssrlno.
The tribe Of proHteers 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
As the result Of preference. Such
largesses are today q greater menace
TO our contentment and our instltu-
ITEMS than the countless temporary
profiteers who are making a mockery
OF honest business, but who can live
and fatten only In time VI disturbed
prices, II am called to service az
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 ysrdstick Of
honesty that governs most Of us In
our dealings with eur fellowmsn, or
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
TO controlling public opinion and
respects our laws; besides, In prspor.
ton as his devotion TO American life
develops his Interest In the impulsivs
processes Of revolution dlmlnlsheS
We must be patient In tho work Of ~
similation and studlously avoid oppres-
Give measures In the face Of mere
evidence Of misunderstanding. The