River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1920-05-06
Washington Letter
From James A. Frear, Nj. c.

| An even hundred per cent increase
marks the cost Of food during the last
four years. Clothing scared 1T pei
cent during the same period, accord
ing to the National Industrial Con-
ference Board. During the foul
months of December, 1919, to March,
| 1920, inclusive, clothing prices in the
large cities jumped AZ per cent or at
| the rate of ten per cent per month.
When we read of wage increases it
| is well to remember that prices have
| balooned So fast that nothing can
reach them excepting it comes in the
form suggested by Congressman Mad
den of Illinois. Mr. Madden is a
large business man and when asked
by the writer where the aviation was
to stop he said when balloons reach a
high elevation where the air does not
exert sufficient pressure they burst.
In his opinion it is we'll to keep an
anchor to windward so that when the
balloon gets too high, it will not affect
too many in it's fall. Those who re-
ceive fixed salaries and whose in
come four years ago was the same as
today, face the fact that during the
period all items of living expenses,
according to the same authority, have
been increased ON an average of 94.S
per cent, or nearly double in cost.
This report continues that wage earn
crease. The man with stationary
income, however, was caught between
the mill stones and his income was
also hit by the income tax, if beyond
the. exemption limit. That is the sit
uation with three-fourths of our peo-
pie who are caught by the whirlwnd
of profteering. Meantime, the cele-
brated ladder of fame never offered
half the return in worldly goods af-
forded by the ladder of profits. Great
stock dividend melons are cut every
day in fevored effort to improve the
opportunity occasioned by the recent
Supreme Court decision.
go
A National budget bill providing
for better Administration estimates
passed the House many weeks ago.
1t was not taken up by the Senate but
instead of such procedure, Senator
Mccormick reported a Senate budget
bill which is better in many respects
than the House blk but as was point
ed out by the writer in debate this
session neither bill will do more than
require better and more intelligently
prepared Administration estimates.
When the bill of estimates is reported
to the House and Senate under either
bill, the same appropriation commit
tees in both branches of Congress will
take the estimate and tear up the
budget Of estimates into dozen diff
erent bills in the respective Houses.
No reform will be of any great value
that fails to put power to prepare APP
PREPARATIONS i'll one committee what
will control the entire budget of APP
preparations. No definite legislation
is likely TO pass this session.
i
Unexpectedly the writer finds him.
self trying to secure a relief from
the Supreme Court decision overturn-
ing the tax on stock dividends and in
other efforts to reach a just means OF
raising funds with which to finance
the soldiers compensation bill pre-
sented to the House today. A ma
jority of the committee has retained
in bill as presented, the objectional
tax which will reach those unable to
pay, including the soldier and his rel
atiyes in order to provide the neces-
sary means for financing the bill.
This proposal is to compel the rich
and the poor alike to meet the large
charge on the Treasury by taxing
the food, drink and goods we wear.
In an effort to prevent this vicious
relic of feudal times from being pas
sed in the law, small portion OF the
committee will register its protest as
vigorously as possible.
A remarkable statement is made by
ex-Director of Railroads, Mr.. McAdoo
who wrote to Mr.. Lyman of the Board
of Farm Organizations on April 18th,
outlining his views on different cues
tions. The statement referred to re-
lates to the railways and therein ne
says, "The Esch-Cummins railway
bill does not and cannot settle the
railroad problem because it does not
reach the fundamentals. If the rail-
roads now fail to provide the facilit-
les and service demanded by the peo-
pie, the question must be grappled
vigorously g. II satisfactory
service is not rendered under private