Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1920-08-10

ton would unquesti0naDiy IoiioW Il
the basic purpose Of the League were
al any time distorted 1t would also
appear to be a simpler matter 20 pro-
vide against any misunderstanding 10
the future and at the same time TO
meet the objections OF those VINO pc
/ lieve that we might be inviting con-
troyersy over our constitutional rights.
by making a senatorial addition IN
words something like these: :
"It 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.
| "Unauestioned friends of the
League have made other proposals.
| Our platform clearly lays no bar
against any additions that will be help
full, but 1t speaks in firm resolution
to stand against anything that dis
turbs the vital principle. We hear 1t
said that interpretations are unnneces-
sary. That may be true, but they VIII
| 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-
I 4ho4 frtr y{rfliQ nf
| supplying base upon which agree
ment can be reached, and agreement.
| without injury to the covenant, is
now of pressing Importance. 1t was
| the desire to get things started, that
/ prompted some members of the senate
| to 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 condl-
| TONS Happily the voters of the re-
public, under our system OF govern
ment, can remedy that situation, and
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-
newed hope will take hold Of every
nation Mankind will press resolute
shoulder to the task Of readjustment,
and new era will have dawned upon
the earth.
Federal Taxation.
Federal taxation must be heavily
reduced, and it 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
noying consumption taxes, once will
ingly borne, now unjustined, 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
l'salaried and professional man, of the
agricultural producer and of the small
tradesman should be sharply modified
| / believe that 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 cert 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 profiteer
and some of the highly capitalized
units have used the excess profits tax
as 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-
sumer
Would Halt Profiteering.
"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
as the result Of preference Such
largesses are today a greater menace
to our contentment and our institu-
lions than the countless temporary
profiteers who are making a mockery
of honest business, but who can live
and fatten only In time of disturbed
prices. If | am called to service as
president means will be found, IL 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 us in
our dealings with our fellowmen, or
in language that they may understand,
to suffer the penalty of criminal law.
1T has been my observation that the
man who learns our language, yields
to a controlling public opinion and
respects our laws; besides, In proper
ton as his devotion to American life
develops his interest in the impulsiye
processes of revolution dfminfshes.
We must be patient in the work of as
similation and studiously avoid oppres-
sive measures in the. face of mere
evidence of misunderstanding The
necessity for the drastic laws of
war days Is not present now,
and we should return at the
earliest opportunity, to the statutory
provisions passed in time of peace for
the general welfare. There is no con-
dftion now that warrants any infringe
| ment ON the right of free speech and