Gunnison news-champion., 1920-08-13

the basic purpose of the League were
II any time distorted Il would also
appear TO be . 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 that ne might be inviting q con-
troversy over our constitutional rights.
by making a senatorial addition In
words something Ike these:
"'lt will OF course be understood
that in carrying out the purpose of the
League. the government Of the United
States must ut 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-makins power
Helpful Additions Not Barred.
'unquestioned friends Of the
League have made other proposals.
Dur platform clearly lays no bar
against any additions that will be help
rul. but II speaks In n firm resolution
TO stand against anything that dis
turbs the vital principle. We hear II
said that Interpretations are unnneccs-
sary. That may be true. but they will
az least be rcassuring 20 many OF our
citizens, who feel that In signing the
treaty, there should be no mental res
erya;ions that are not expressed In
plain words. ms a matter Of good faith
10 our associates Such interpreia
lions possess the further virtue Of
supplying a base upon which agree
ment can he reached. and agreement
without injury 10 the convcnant. is
now OF pressing Importance. II was
he desire TO get things started. that
prompted some members of the senate
10 vote for the Lodge reservations.
Those who consclentiously voted for
them In the final roll calls realized.
however, that they acted under duress.
IN that n politically bigoted minority
was exercising the arbitrary power OF
It's position to enforce drastic condl.
tions. Happily the voters Of the re-
public. under our system Of govern
meni. can remedy that situation. and l
have the faith that they will. at tn.
election. this fall. Then organized
government will be enabled to combine
impulse and facility in the making OF
better world conditions The agencies
themselves TO the opportunities OF
commercial freedom. New life and re-
newed hope will take hold Of every
nation. Mankind will press q resolute
shoulder to the task Of reimbursement.
and n new err will have dawned upon
the earth.
Federal Taxation.
Federal taxation must be heavily
reduced. and II viii be done Mt once.
u 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 unjustifisd, should be
repealed. The incomes from wnr-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
salaried and professional man, OF the
agricultural producer and Of the small
trndesman should be sharply modified.
believe that better form OF taxation
than the so-called excess profits tax
may be found and I suggest q small
tax. probably one to one and one-half
per cent on the total business of every
going concern. It Ii to be understood
that the term business a. used does
not include income received by wage
enrners, 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
lust proportion between fair profits TO
business and fair prices to the con-
sumner
Would Halt Prohtssrine.
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 . governmental
underhold and to make illegal profits
az the result Of preference. Such
largesses are today greater menace
to our contentment and our institu-
tions 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. 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 yardstick of
honesty that governs most Of us In
our dealings with our fellowmen, or
In language that they may understand.