The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-08-19


| can administration to date has caused
4 more comment than that made by Rep.
fesentative Keller (Rep., Minncsota)
4 one of the really important men Of
| the great northwest. No Democra;
has been so severe in his criticism Of
| the administration cs Mr.. Keller, be.
cause the Democrats have been chart.
table 'toword tine struggling admins
tration, and sincerely DESTROYS of aid.
ing 1t to solve the problems that con.
fronted it largely as q result of the
obstructive tactics of the Republicans
in the last two years Of the Democrat
ic administration.
Some of the indictments brought
against tie Republican party by this
able Republican, representing a great
agricultural constituency are:
"Our ability to compete with other
nations for world markets---and con-
sequently our prosperity--prim
depends on reasonable transportation
charges, cheap power, low interest,
easy rents, low taxation, efficient la
Dor and systematic distribution. We
have adopted a policy which has
brought about the exact reverse of
these ideal conditions. The govern
ment has attempted to legislate upon
every one of these vital problems
within the past six months, but in
stead of honestly searching for the
best way out of our industrial diff
culties, and welcoming the disisterest-
ed advice of economists, scientists, en-
gineers, real financiers and experts in
various lines, the machinery of gov
eminent has been Communicated by
little clique, ignorant of the A B C's
of economics, whose blind obedience to
Wall street is responsible for the stu
pid, selfish and short-sighted policy
that is retarding our prosperity and
creating profound distrust and discon-
tent among the people.
"The President has assumed more
power than any Of his predecessors
and tells Congress what bills to pass.
Bills concocted at secret conferences
are introduced without being referred
to responsible committees,
"The Ways and Means Committee
has demonstrated its utter unfitness to
deal intelligently with the great
financial measures on which to a great
degree the prosperity of the country |
depends.
"There are rules of taxation just as
well established as the laws of mathe-
matics. But instead of calling in COM
petent experts, the Ways and Means
Committee seeks the advice of null
timiiliohaire Cabinet officer. He sug- I
gests repeal of the excess profits tax,
reduction of the higher surtax rates on
individual incoves, increase Of the cor
poration tax, retention of the ruinous
transportation tax and the nuisance
taxes, with new impositions on auto
and bank checks and increased
rates on frst-class postage.
"This policy will further depress in!
dustry and fail to raise sufficient rev. |
enue for the governments needs: Less
than 5000 persons-most of them war
profteers-pay the higher surtaxes on
incomes Of more than $100, 900 annual
ly, yet Secretary Mellon wants to cut |
in half the $50O,OOO,00O which they |
contribute to the upkeep of the gov
eminent and throw the additional
burden upon small manufacturers, job
bers, merchants and workers and
farmers.
"Most members of the House want
TO carry out the peoples wishes. but
4 little dominant minority has lied
down the safety valve of free discus
sion until an explosion impends which
will scatter the Republican party
from Maine to California"
And the Harding administration is
not yet six months old.