Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-06-11

ton of the present organisation O.
the federal departments and bureaus
with view to securing consolidation
functions, the elimination of duplica
ton, delays and overlapping Of worl
and tho establishment Of an up-to
date and efficient administrative or
ganization.
Precedent ClinGs
TO War Powers.
The President clinss tenaciously t,
his autocratic wartime powers.
His veto Of the resolution declaring
peace and his refusal to sign tn,
bill repeating wartime legislation, nj
longer necessary. evidence his deter
mination not to restore to the natioI
and to the states the form Of govern
ment provided for by the Constitu
|tion. This usurpation is intolerabl,
and deserves the. severest condemna
ton.
TaxatioN's Burden
Becomes STAGGERING.
The burden of taxation imposed
upon the American people Is stagEer.
ing: but in presenting a true state.
ment of the situation we must face
the fact that. while the character Of
the taxes can and should be changed
an early. reduction of the amount OF
revenue to be raised is not to be ex.
'pected.
, The next republican admin stratior
will inherit from its democratic prede.
cessor floating indebtedness OF
over ss.ooo.ooo.ooo, the prompt liqui:
dalton of which is demanded by sound
financial considerations. Moreover
the whole fiscal policy of the gov
ernmAn must be deeply Influenced by
the necessity of meeting obligations
in excess of $1,000. 600, 900. which ma
ture in 1923. But sound policy equally
demands the early accomplishment OF
that real reduction of the tax burden
which may be achieved by substitut.
ing simple for complex tax laws and
procedure. prompt and certain deter
mination of the tax liability for delay
and uncertainty. tax laws which dc
not for tax laws which do excessively
mulct the consumer or needlessly re.
press enterprise and thrift.
We advocate the issuance OF sim
plified form of income return; au-
thorizing the Treasury Department
fective only from the date Of their
approval: empowering the commits
sioner of internal revenue, with the
! consent Of the taxpayer. to make
ANAL and conclusive settlements OF
tax claims and assessments barring
board consisting Of at least three
representatives OF the taxpaying pub
| lie and the heads Of the principal
| divisions of the bureau OF internal
| mittee on the simplifcation Of forms
| procedure and law, and to make
recommendations to the Congress.
Banking Policy
| Ii Criticized.
! The fact is that the war to great ex-
| tent was financed by policy of infia-
ton through certificate borrowing from
the banks and bonds issued at artificial
1 rates sustained by the low discount
rates established by the Federal Re
serve Board. The continuance Of this
policy since the arInistice lays the ad-
| ministration open to severe criticism.
J Almost up to the present time the prac-
, tees of the Federal Reserve Beard as to
credit control have been frankly domi-
mated by the convenience OF the Treas
| The results have been greatly In
creased war cost, a serious loss to the
millions Of people who in good faith
at par. and extensive postwar specula.
ton. followed today by a restricted
credit for legitimate industrial expan-
sion. AS matter Of public policy we
| urge all banks TO give credit preference
| to essential industries.
| free from political influence. which is
quite as important as its independence
Of domination by financial combinations.
Living Cost
In Condemned.
The prime cause of the high cost. Of
living" has been first and foremost a 50
per cent depreciation In the purchasing
power of the dollar. due to gross expan-
sion Of DUR currency and credit. Reduced
production, .burdensome taxation, swol-
len profits and the increased demand for
goods arising from a fictitious but en-
larged buying power have been contrib
uting causes in greater or less degree.
I'VE condemn the unsound fiscal poll
DIES of the democratic administration
which have brought these things to pass
and their attempts to impute the conse-
quences to minor and secondary causes.
Much Of the injury wrought Is irrepar-
able. There 10 no short way out. and
we decline to deceive the people with
vain promises or quack remedies. But
as the political party that throughout Its
history has stood for honest money and
sound finance. we pledge ourselves to
earnest and consistent attack upon the
high cost of living by rigorous avoid
ance Of further imitation in our govern
ment borrowing. by courageous and in
telligent dehation Of overexpanded cred
it and currency, by encouragement OF
heightened production OF goods and serv-
it's. by exercise of public economy and
stimulation Of private thrift and by re-
vision Of war-imposed taxes unsuited to
peace-time economy.
We condemn the democratic admin
istration for failure impartially to en-
force the anti-prof1teering laws enact
ed by the republican Congress. :.
Opposes Z. 8.
Control Of Railroads ,... -.
We are opposed to government
ownership and operation or employe
operation of the railroads. In view Of
the conditions prevailing in the coun-
try, the expenditures of the last two
years and the conclusions which may
be fairly drawn from an observation
Of the transportation systems Of other
countries, 1t Is clear that adequate
transportation service both for the
present and future can be furnished
more certainly, economically and
efficiently through private ownership
ana operation under proper regulation
and control.
There should be no speculative profit
in rendering the service OF tfansporta-
ton, but in order to do justice to the
capital: already invested in railway
enterprises, to restore railway credit,
to induce future investments at rea-
sonable rate and to furnish enlarged
facilities to meet the requirements Of
the constantly increaaing development
and distribution fair return upon