Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-19
CALLS ON.PUb[|C
TOR|SE AND SWEEP
OUT PROF|TEER|NG
Senator Kenyon Urges Awak'
ened Sentiment in Every
Community Against Evil.

"A great awakened public senti-
ment in every community should
sweep the profiteers to social oblivion
scrap them on the junk neap of dis
repute." said Senator Kenyon of Iowa.
addressing the Senate today.
He said that the question above all
others In which the American people
are interested At this timestss stherhiSh
cost OF living. He strongly urged
the people themselves to take steps
to bring about a reduction In the
cost of living.
The situation can be helped some
by the American people wearing their
old clothes and their old shoes" con-
tinued Senator Kenyon. No one need
shoes. They are badges of honor. 1t
is a time of essential sacrifice, and
already the failure of the people to
buy Is having some effect on prices.
.People Cursing Pronteers."
There is one phase of the high
cost Of living that can be remedied-
that is profiteering. ! believe it is
safe to say that nearly one-half OF
the increased cost Of living is due to
profiteering. People are tired of it
they are cursing tie profiteers: they
are damning Congress because it does
not 60 som ething. and there is a
spirit of hate developing in this coun-
try that is ominous..
der that tie people were discontented
when they read of the tremendous
profits that "patrioteers have gathered
to themselves during and since the
war, and with what unction they wrap
the flag about themselves and de-
Hounce every one who questions their
right 10 rob the American people as
bc'she he-isis, pro-GermanS and creators
Of unrest. They are the most short
sighted Of all the citizens of the re-
their government. and today the
pro1itcering of the patrioteer is the
.nenlae Of the nation.
1T is not only manufacturers who
have engaged in the pleasant pastime
If profiteering. but retailers have
been equally busy.
War brings MilllOnaires.
zone result Of the war seems to be
a large crop of millionaires. In 1917
we had 6.664 millionaires as COM
pared with 2.s4S in 1914.
"Since the Supreme Court declared
the stock dividends were not subjects
of the excess profit tax there has
been a tremendous issuance. of stock
dividends. It would seem almost dis
loyal at this time. when the govern
ment is racking every field Of in
dustry for taxation. for these great
corporations which have made un-
precedented profits, to escape just
taxation by means of stock dividends.
Yet this goes on and people wonder
that there is unrest in the country.
This nation must look to the great
middle classes to save it in its hour
of stress. Men who will rob their fell
low men as these profiteers have been
doing will rob their government. They
would sell the great birthrights Of
American citizenship for a pot of
extent. but they cannot do it all. A
great awakened public sentiment in
every community should sweep them
to social oblivion"
sspposes "Law Enough" Given.
Senator Kenyon said that the Con-
sress supposed that it had given
enough law to the Attorney General to
conduct an effective campaign against
prof,teering. If the law is not suffi-
cient. he said. Congress will give more
why not organize anti-profiteering
societies in the various communities
of the United States. and make public
doings Of cert,in distinguished citizens
who are rob5!ng tre community?" sue-
gested Senator Kenyon.
Senator Kenyon said that the COM
mittee investigating. the shoe indus
try was informed that there had been
about three people sent 10 Jail for
profiteering.
None of the big prontecrs, how
ever" said Senator Kenyon "A few
Of the big profteers landed in Jail
would have 4 restraining effect upon
future robberies by these national
pirates. The prosecutions have
amounted to practically nothing.
What this country needs today above
everything else is a President who
will smash the profiteers. He will do
this by appointing an Attorney Cen
the laws than he DOES for running for
President"