The Washington herald., 1920-10-26
article VIII.

In emphasizing, as l have done,
the share which our taxation sys-
tenn has had in bringing about the
trobulous situation that has been
for some time and still is confront
ing US and in accentuating the ele-
ment of Immediately effective relief
which would come from the reform
taxation, 1 am by no means oblivi-
Gus OF the other factors causative
of that situation and fully appre-
ciate that every effort should be
made, compatible with sound per-
ceptions, to mitigate their present
effects and finally to overcome
them altogether. e.
Hard work, stimulated by appro-
teamwork, are household remedies
which have by no means lost their
virtue. That does not mean that
we should not diligently seek and
open-mindedly try new remedies
which justify hope of relief. BUT
abnormal remedies, especially when
too hastily applied and not based
upon calm, competent and thorough
diagnosis, are rarely effective and
frequently dangerous.
War shocks Unavoidable.
In a situation such as the one
through which we are now passing.
tiality of that vicious relationship
between cause and effect which
arises from the fact that an abnor-
NAL state of affairs tends to pro-
duce rashIy experimental measures.
which in their turn are apt to
create in place of the ills we have
-others that We know not of"
The road of recovery from tho
appalling shock of the war, inten-
sifed in its after effects through
faulty treatment by the physicians.
i. E., the statesmen in charge, is
necessarily slow and hard. l think
the more that road is thrown open
now to the ordinary travel of hu-
mankind and the more it is freed
from bureaucratic impedimenta and
from governmental interference, ex-
cept for purposes of policing and
TdHC Tvs uAoeiA6' NNS -
will be.
We have a three years test now
Of a scheme for raising revenue
which is unscientific, inconsistent
and ill-designed and has as its
principal characteristic the NXation
of business and constructiyefy en-
ployed capital on a scale without a
parallel in any other of the leading
countries. The result is writ large
in the high cost of living, industrial
and economc dislocation and social
discomfort for all of which our
taxation policy is a strongly con-
tributory, though, of course. not the
sole cause.
Would Unburden Poor.
In common with all right-think-
ing men l desire very earnestly and
sincerely to see the burdens of the
poor and those of moderate means
liEhtened to the utmost extent pos
sibIe.
But 1 am entirely convinced that
crushing and bungling taxation of
capital and industry is not the way
to accomplish that result. 1 am
convinced, on the contrary. that
such taxation is bound to rebound
to the detriment of all the people.
Economies. the laws of finance,
the functions of capital, the prob
lens of trade, etc, are complex and
difficult subjects. They lend them
selves all too easily to plausible
fallacies and to demagogic misin-
formation.
The enemies of the existing So
cial. economic and governmental
order are at ork-incessantly, un-
der skillful and none too scrupu-
1ous leadership, with great ingen-
uity and cunning to instiIl into the
minds Of the people the poison of
class animosity. by misrepresenting
facts and conditions and promising
the unattainable.
Trust American People.
We must not put our heads into
the sand in the face of these ma
chinitions, nor must we be in fear
of them or permit ourselves to be
unduly wrought up. We cannot
meet them by blunt denials, or by
calling hard names. or by harsh ac-
tions. or even by appeal to the flag
and the Constitution. Indeed, we
must be particularly careful not to
create the impression that patriot
ism is used pharisaicalIy as a cloak
for SNUG self-interest and the pro-
lection of privilege.
The way to meet wrongful agita-
tion Is first by sincere and persist
ent efforts toward eliminating
causes for just discomfort. and sec
ondly, by an organized and unre-
mitting campaign of education and
information conducted in the spirit
OF sympathy, patience, understand
ing and of respect for different
viewpoints.
When the pros and cons of a.
proposition, of whatever nature.
have been set fully and plainly be-
fore them. the great majority of
American people can be trusted to
form right and just conclusions and
TO reject fallacies. however appeal
ing, plausible and tempting.
We must seek to bring truth and
enlightenment into the ring against
falsehood and error. and then let
them have it out in the presence
of the American people. 1 have no
fear of the result.
% i exclude Germany from this compsri-
son- because the fiscal measures to which de-
feated and distracted Germany Is compelled
to resort In its extremity afford, of course. !
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