Williams news., 1920-08-13

have disturbed them: F1rSt, they Want- ed to make sure that the league was not to be an alliance, and that its basic purpose was peace and not controver- sy Second, they wanted the other powers signing the instrument to un- derstand our constitutional limitations beyond which the treaty-making pow CT cannot go. Dealing with these two questions in order, 1t has always seem ed to me that the interpretation of the function of the league might have been stated in these words:
 "'In giving it's assent to this treaty, the senate has in mind the fact that the League of Nations which it en- bodies was devised for the sole pur- pose of maintaining peace and comfty among the nations of the earth and preventing the recurrence of such de- structive conflicts as that through which the world has just passed. The cooperation of the United States with the League and its continuance as member thereof, will naturally de- pend upon the adherence of the League to that fundamental purpose
 Such a declaration would at least express the view of the sJniteu States and justify the course which our na ton would unquestionably follow if the basic purpose of the League were at any time distorted. It 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- Heve that we might be inviting con- troversy over our constitutional rights, by making 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.
 "Unquestioned 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 a 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 will 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 a matter of good faith to our associates. Such interpreta- tions possess the further virtue of supplying a base upon which agree ho nd without injury to the covenant, is now of pressing importance. It 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 politically bigoted minority was exercising the arbitrary power of its position to enforce drastic condi- tiOns. Happily the voters of the re- public, under our system of govern ment, can remedy that situation, and I 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 a resolute shoulder to the task of readjuStment, and q new era will have dawned upon the earth
 Federal Taxation.
 hn oxyiI reduced, and it will be done at once, if 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 moving consumption taxes, once will ingly borne, now unjuStified, 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 salaried and professional man, of the agricultural producer and of the small tradesman should be sharply modified. I believe that better form of taxation than the so-called excess profits tax may he found and suggest a small tax. probably one to one and one-half per cent on the total business of every going concern. It 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 a 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