davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09
AMERICAN FARM BUREAU
 FEDERATION CONVENTION

Indianapolis, Ind, Dec. S-Enactment of legislative program, including changes in the tariff the income tax. the Esch-Cummins transportation act. and the passage of several new measures was asked of congress today by resolutions adopted at the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. President-elect Harding also was re- quested to appoint secretary of agri- culture who has a practical understand ing of all phases of farming. Among the policies enunciated by the resolutions was the federations opposition to strikes and lockouts.
 Further the rsolutions declared the fed eration's opposition to what it said seem- ed to be the policy of the treasury de- pertinent and the federal reserve board for defation and the request was made that bankers and merchants extend farmers obligations to secure "imediate relief from the present economic crisis" con- fronting the farmers.
 The adoption of the resolutions which. 1t was announced, was by a unanimous vote, preceded the closing session tonight of the convention, at which officers were elected. Announcement also was made to- night of the appointment of committee to meet with bankers, merchants and public officials at Chicago on Friday to consider the organization of a $100. .ooo.- 900 export trade corporation under the Edge act.
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09
TREASURER HOUSTON GIVES
 SCHEME OF TAX REVISION

Washington, Dec. S.-More equitable and just distribution of the four billion dollar tax burden which the American people must bear for at least four more years was recommended to congress today by Secretary Houston, who in his annual report submitted comprehensive scheme of tax revision.
 Revision of taxes should be effected" MT. Houston wrote congress. There can and should be better distribution of the tax burden. Unwise taxes should be eliminated. But any scheme which would after this fiscal year yield for several years to come less than four billions of dollars would be incompatible with safety and sound finance. And the country should face the fact that present taxes even may not in the future be relied up on to yield the needed revenue"
 The secretary of the treasury said the excess profits tax should be repealed and must of course. be replaced. He said he believed it should be replaced in large part by some form of corporation profits tax"
 Reduction of the higher groups of the income sur-taXes accompanied by in- creases in the lower income surtax rates also is suggested by the secretary. who asked that congress consider such general revision, Wltn TeuuCllOn 10 a maximum rate lower than that contained in the present law, provided acceptible new taxes of equal yield can be found"
 The secretary said the plain fact was that the present rates, which are as high as 70 per cent. could not be successfully collected and that the effective way to tax the rich is to adopt rates that do not force investment in tax-exempt se curities.''
 Mir. Houston suggests number of sources of revenue which could be tap ped and others which could be revised to make up for the loss of revenue occas- toned by the changes in the taxes which he recommended. These sources were outlined as follows:
 Immediate revision of the nations tax laws on the basis of an annual levy of s4. 900. 900 for period of four years. and including an increase of 2 per cent. in the taxes on incomes up to s5,00O. is urged by Secretary Houston in his annual report sent today to congress. ss
 Repeal of the excess profits taxes elimination of certain of the so-called luxury taxes including the levy on soda fountain and similar beverages. and a readjustment of the rates in the higher groups of income taxes, is proposed by
 Continued On Page z, Column 4.)
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09
CONSIDERING A TRUCE
 IN THE IRISH s@fUArIoN

London. Dec. S.-The recent message of Father O'Flanagan of Roscommon to Premier Lloyd George concerning a truce in the Irish situation is understood to have been under consideration by the cabinet this morning The kn2tty prob lem said to be confronting the government is whether Father O'Flanagan represents the full force of Sim Fein moderate opin- ion. It is stated on high authority that if it is decided he does represent such opinion the government will reply to his rressage with a statement embodying the following terms: No amnesty, no repub- lie, and a cessation from the present e csmpaign of outrs ge and murder"
 The opinion was expressed today by some students of the Irish problem here that the reDudiaticn of Father oFlana- gans message by section of the Sim Fein had it's origin in a desire for amnes- ty for certain Sim Feiners who are. fugi- tlves from justice.
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09
FRAMING NEAsUnEs Pon I
 THE RELIEF or PAnxras


 Washington. Dee s.-Pro,onenss of legis,stlon To revive the war ennno~ corporation and the.eby afford reilsf to farmers confronted by T1i!inx pricen pian to call up their measure h ths senate Friday and ask for ltu immediate paSSage. Senator Gronns. repuhlicnr or North Dakota. in charge Of he reno- iution. gave this notice today in ak ing that the senate let the matter no over until the later date.
 supporters of the proposed iegIsiatisn said they had received assuranccs thaf senate leaders would not ovpors fls measure which can be brourht before the senate either by unanirnoua ouua~nt or by majority vote
 While farm relief iesislatior uns b-- Ing temporarily rostf cned fr ths s~natr the hood of bills to extend rrll~f Ia ths farmers continued In the lsouse- Arnorr me various .nearures was a bin by Rep rescntative Strong. republican. kannas. To direct the eosrrnittee on banking and currency to investigate what iegirinfion would be necessary 10 permit ths -uror- CT hnaneing of farmers and stoek rais- cTR m -
 The agricultural corsnittee r.-u-,es itn hearings with d view to framinr nd- dltional rclici rnearurea. and war trfs by Virginia and North carofina tnksc- % Frowers that they were h the mms plight az the other aEricuifuraI inter- esiA other tobacco men wli be beard tomorrow. and Friday the uool rrsu- CTS from the west win present their difficulties. VI
 w. w. Brauer. vho claimed to r~vr.- sent the German Kovernnenf. urrsf Inc extension Of a billion ooIiarr credit 10 Germany for the purchase Of foodntuns and raw materials from America. Mern- bers Of the committee told MT. Hrnuer they dd not believe congress would vote such extension Of credit to Germany and he tarn srxEeFted that h rnlrht bs arranged through the var hnsncs cor- poration.
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09
GREAT BRITAIN BARS
 INVESTIGATORS FROM IRELAND.

Washington. Dec. 8.-The special com mittee of six which the commission of the committee of one hundred now hold ing hearings here on tn Irish question had hoped to send to England and Ire- land to gather first hand information will not be permitted to visit Great Brit ain.
 William MasDonald, secretary of the commission. was informed in a letter sent today by R. L. Craigie, first secretary of the British embassy that "the proposed visit to British territory is not agree able to His Majesty's government" and that therefore the embassy would not wise the passports issued to members of the committee by the American state de- partment
 was in reply to one from Mir Macdonald making formal application for wise of the passports. said in part:
 This decision has been reached after full consideration of the circumstances of the case and I am to refer you to the ambassadors letter of October 23rd in which he informed you that he was un- able to believe that the truth could be established until there had been a period of quiet in Ireland and then only by per sons of the greatest experience of the laws of evidence with power to compel the production of books. papers and re- cords and trat any otrer form of inquiry would in his opinion lead only to a mass of statements unsupported by facts bsine made for propaganda purposes
 Members of the special committed which. it had been planned to send tc England and Ireland as announced by the commission were Oliver P. Newman. former district commissioner of this city; the Rev. Norman Thomas and Ar thur Gleason of New York; James H. Mourer, president of the Pennsylvania state federation of labor, William Mac. Donald, and Dean Morss Lovett of the University of Chicago.
 Passports issued to members of the committee were for travel and study ir Europe, including Great Britain" or for i purposes similarly stated, it was said to. day at the state department. Applica. tions for the passports were made by the committee members individually and thus the question of whether the state de. partment would grant passports for g committee as such as, such to go to Eng land and Ireland was not raised.
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09
Canada Opposed to
 European Control
British Delegates to L. of N. Assembly. Deeply Affected by Thrust From Dominion Delegate.

Geneva, Dec. S.-(By the A. P.)-The liveiiest emotion this assembly has expe- rienced was provoked today by N. w. RNwell, of Canada, who expressed his views regar ding Euror an statesmanship in way that startled diplomatists of the old world.
 A sharp debate arose over the recom- mesdation of the committee on technical organizations that the assembly propose to the governments to set up under tho auspices of the league three new orgtn- nations: Finances, transit and realth. with annual conferences on these sub jects
 MI. Powell objected on the ground that it was impossible for distant coun- tries to send their best men abroad four times a year to attend the assembly and the conferences, and declared that the result would be to throw these organiza- tions under European influence. The as- sembly, he held should occupy itself with these questions.
 Canada, at any rate, he said. felt that there were questions that should not be allowed to fall into European control.
 Fifty thousand Canadian soldiers un- der the sod in France and Flanders is the price Canada has paid for Eureopt an statesmanship,p he cried, to the aston ishment of the entire assembly and the dismay of some of the delegates.
 Arthur BaIfour and MT. Fisher were plainly affected by the thrust from a British Dominion. They remained mo- tionless in their seats through the bal ance of the debate, with grave faces.
 Lord Robert Cecil, representing South Africa, in a gentle way, soft;ned the blow by saying that he agreed with much that Mr Powell had said but thought MT. Rowen was mistaken in SUD- posing that the organizations would fall under the control of Europe.
 Several of the delegates suggested tc different impression than he had intended The Canadian delegate took the floor again and said he did not mean to attack European statesmen. and, rather than give offense, preferred to withdraw his words.
 It was agreed to let the question gc over until tomorrow. In the meantime. erdeavors will be made to arrive at a compromise.
 Some of the principal delegates. weary. ing of the protected discussions and somewhat discouraged in their efforts tc hasten the work of the assembly, art talking of going home. NJ Viviani. whC has been away from his law practice fol nearly month. said he would not stay longer than the end of this week. The general opinion. however, is that 1t VII be impossible to finish before the ent of next week unless the debates are summarily shortened.
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09
WERE FORMERLY UNABLE TO
 OBTAIN COMPETITIVE BIDS

New York, Dec t.-ohicizls of two of the largest construction corporations in the United States. with a combined business approaching slOo.O0o.o0e a year, testified in the building trust in- vestigation today that before the Lock- wood legislative inquiry began t was impossible to obtain competitive bids in nearly a dozen lines of materials-
 Contractors for sand, gravel. marble. plumbing. limestone, brick. cement lime, crushed stone and freproofng work in- variably turned in identical estimates. while the lumber trade was pretty well lined up, with prices uniform" they said.
 Only an insignificant part of the sand business of New York Is handled by a concern outside the board Of trade" which it was testified had fixed and boosted prices.
 The Thompson-Starrett Company, which built the Woolworth. and Equitz- ble Life skyscrapers. the tallest and largest office buildings in the world. and which does an annual business of s60, ,000, 900 found it futile to seek com 'petitive bids in New York. Louis Horo- witz, it's president. testihed.
 Structural steel. enc of the few i'm portant building materials which they did not mention as controlled locally, can not be had by the Thompson-Star. rett Company because it does not oper- ate under an "open sAor," Mir. Horowitz said.
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09

Philadelphia. Dee. s.-whiie willing 10 adjust any individual cases of fn- justice or inequality within. the present agreement, representatives Of the an- thracite mine operators today notified the mine workers that they were against granting any general additional wage increase or take any. action that would tend to reopen the award Of the United States anthracite coal comnli-- sion
 The attitude Of the mine owners to |. ward the demands of the. miners for general additional wage Incfeases, a ss minimum day labor rate. and an uni versal eisht-hour day for the hard coal workers was made known to the miners here late today at an executive session of the joint sub-scale committee of the anthracite miners and operators, whlch had been holding almost continuous conferences during the last three days.
 Pending meeting of the operators to make a more formal answer as 10 their position on general wage increases. the miners representatives will make re- port on todsy's reply at rer-~ on to-
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09
NO UNITED STATES ENvoys
 TO DISARMAMENT COMMISSION

Washington. Dec. s.-President Wil- son today declined the invitation of the league of nations to send delegates to take part in the discussions of the dis armament commission.
 The president informed the league of nations council that inasmuch as the United States was not a member of the league he did not feel justified in ap- pointing a commission ito take even a de facto participation"
 The United States, however, the pres ident declared is In sympathy with aIy plan for world disarmament
 The reply of the president to the in- vitation of the league council was trans nitted today through the state depart ment to Paul HymaEs. president of the council. It follows:
 T have the honor to aclznowledge the receipt of your cablegram Of Dec. 1 in- vitmg the government of the United States to name representatives to sit with the military, naval and air com missions Of the league in a consultative capacity during the discussions by the commission on the reduction of arrna- ments the consideration of which Ia to De undertaken by it forthwith at the re- quest and on behalf of the council.
 The government of the United States Is most sympathetic with any sincere effort 10. evolve a constructive plan for disarmament which Is so necessary for the economic rehabil/ /tion peace and stability of the world. The president of the United States Is deeply interested in this question and is most dcsirous oi cooperating 10 this end. but as the gov ernment of the United States is not a member of the league he does not feel justified in appointing a commission tc take even a de facto participation in the deliberations of the council or of the commission acting on behalf of the council in the execution of provisions in the covenant of the league of nations"
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09
TRENCH OF THE BAYONETS" DEDICATED AT vERDUN

Verdun, France, Dec. S.-Simple dedi- catory ceremonies ere held here today at the monument erected to preserve the famous French of the Bayonets." This monument, which is over trench in which was entombed a battalion of French soldiers during the great struggle here in 1916, was made possible by a gift of 5OO,OO0 francs by George F. Rand of Buffalo, N. Y, who was killed in an air plane accident in England last December, his son assuming the obligation.
 President Millerand, surrounded by Marshals Foch and Joffre, Minister of Pensions Magniot and other members of the cabinet, took part i'll the exercises. Hugh C. Wallace American ambassador 10 France standing uncovered upon the steps of the iong, massive concrete struc- ture, made the presentation address. lis was followed by President Millerand
 The Rand family was represented by MT. and Mrs times Rand, the former a brother of the donor of the monument, George Rand, Jr, and his sisters, the Misses Evelyn and Gretchen Rand, all Of Buffalo, N Y, Frederick A. Jackson of Paris. an intimate friend of MT. Rand, and Mrs. and Miss Wattles of Buffalo.
 President Millerand in simple address told the story of the Trench of the Bayonets," and added:
 America entered at this stage, and it was here in the region of Venlun that her armies appeared, bringing with them the promise of near triumph"
 The president rendered homage to Americas volunteers and her ambuiances and rected the accomplishments of the American army. "Pershmg, like Lafay- cite, fought for the triumph of liberty under our united banners" he said. America was victorious in the 20th as in the 18th century NJ Millerand con- cluded:
 Standing before the grave of French soldiers buried alive under arms in the sublime sacrifice, before the monument erected over this tomb by the petty of their American brothers in arms. let us call to mind the sacred oath of the men of Lafayette's and Washington's day. The q lance of France and the United States will never fail the cause of liberty anu civilization
 Later President Millerand and Ambas- sador Wallace placed wreaths on the seven unidentified French soldiers whose tcdies were exhumed from various sectors and brought to Verdun. Originally there were eight of these unknown soldier dead but one of the bodies was chosen to rest beneath the Arc De Triomphe in Paris.
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09

Washington, Dec s.-RepublAcan mem bers of congress took the first steps to- day toward revision of tax and tariff laws at the extra session to be calAd soon after next March {.
 Chairman Fordney of the house ways and means committee announced that his committee would begin hearings within a few days on revision of the tax laws these hearings to continue until January wher hearings will be started on tariir ie-isiation. Almost simultaneously With Chairman Fordncy's announcement, sen ator NcCumbcr of North Dakota, acting chairman of the senate finance commit tee. issued a call for q meeting of that committee for tomorrow when plans Will be- made for hearings similar to those contemplated by the house committee
 The senate and house committees alike hone 10 conclude their hearings by the end of the present session. The house committee. Chairman Fordney said. ex- poets Co be able Co begin the work or drafting the new tax and tariff measures as soon as the extra session is convened. The senate committees hearings are ex- nccfcd to be briefer than those planned by the house committee.
 Chairman Fordney's announcement followed a conference of the majority members Of the committed He said that as soon as the committee had had time to study the tax recommendations contained in the annual report of Sec retary Houston of the treasury. sent Co congress today. he would invite Mr. Houston to appear before the committee and explain his views more fully The committees programme. the chairman said. will be announced from day to day as the hearings proceed.
 Chairman Fordney said that he had in mind a definite plan for simplifcation of the tax on corporation incomes. One of his proposals is a flat tax on the in- comes or all corporations having no qualification or other modifying provi- sions" He also said 1t was his desire that the income tax laws be made so simple that corporation will not have io hire an expert or a lawyer to figure how much it owes the government"
 The ways and means chairman de- rizred that a study of Secretary Hous- toms report had showed him that the estimates for governmental expendi, lures are ridiculously high"
 ~I can 20 down the list of estimates of the secretary and chop out approxi- mately a billion and a quarter dollars as unnecessary" Mir. Fordney said. Just for example. he wants s1sf.o00,a00 for the war risk insurance bureau. think that lt a hundred million dollars or more too high.
 With the proposed consolidation of the various soldiers relief agencies into one bureau. we can save a hundred mil lion and eliminate 35.ooo clerks in Wash lngton. The secretary wants s75,0oo for
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09

aays Ferly at a' special meeting -cf he mine Norkers general fcsic c5n-rai.tts next saturaAy d. Hazleion. Pal st-I'. |
 The mirs owners took . nrrn srand sf vas stated, against any shlaaket tnrreass because of fhe present down ward t-an or prices and lowering costs Of uvtr-
 Besides adjusting alleged -inequahti.r mat may se fnutuzi1ys sErtcl tr-l-r. fn~ operators also offered 10 c5ns <sr -rur ling some of the lonE-hour szsA .o,a m eikht-hour schedule.
 Neither the orerStors nor the rslue-S representatives were willing. 10 4ss-urs the probable outcome of the spresent- con trofersy. No threat ossstrIisa D- sitlif,a- tum has been given the operators up to tns present time, slthonrh H was Iearu- ed that the miners today snsisted that me operators make known. their hftl- tuee without any further delay. ..
 The wage controversy between fks anthracite miners and, operators. hzs been in proCress since lzst Afafrk. re- snst.ng early in the fan ir ---raea- ton str.ke- which rertpuEly cnraIsed production in the hard coal region.
Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-09
PoNZI CUT SHORT BY
 REFEREE IN BANKRUPTCY

Cambridge, Mass, Dec. S.-The election Of the present federal receivers of Charles Ponzi as trustees to administer creditors claims of about six million dollars was approved by H. E. Warner, referee in bankruptcy, after hearing today. They are Edward A. Thurston, William R. Sears and James A. Lowell
 The election was determined by the number of claims represented on each creditors ballot and the amounts in- vclved
 Ponzi was brought from jail for brief appearance at the creditors meeting. He said he would no tassist the trustees unless those to be elected met with his 1lproval. The referee cut hIm short when he attempted to make length statement as to his tangled affairs.