The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1921-11-11

~ sA0 AAAuOA 4uCSI1O0s OUT Tue QO4I
ticians probably realize that there is .
large vote craving the return Of light
liquors at least. National pr. libition
was not effected by vote OF the peo-
pie as was the practice in so many
states and local centers, but was put
through as a war measure without the
express consent OF the voters.
Many voter can become more in
dignant over some alleged breach OF
popular rule Of this kind than over
important infractions to his right to
life, liberty and pursuit OF happiness.
Some of the drys assert that Mel
Ions great holdings Of brewery stock
explain his rulings as secretary OF the
treasury.
EXCESS PROFITS TAX KILLED.
Although progressive senators from
the West and party democrats from
the South succeeded in preventing a
repeal of the excess profits tax to be
retroactive to January l, 1921, It is
pretty certain that this tax will be
repealed for January l, 1922.
The senate has voted down by q
vote of a to 81 an amendment by Sen.
ator Reed OF Missouri, proposing an
excess profits tax rate Of 20 per cent
on profits between Is anG so per cent
Of invested capital and 10 per cent
on net profits in excess Of 50 per cent.
Six of the Republicans present stood
with Reed: Borah, Hiram johnson.
Kenyon, Norbeck, Norris and Lafol.
lette
Then Reed suggested another
amendment placing a 20 per cent tax
on net profits in excess Of so per cent
Of invested capital, and the senate
showed It's attitude again and more
clearly by defeating this mild propo
sition by q vote Of ~ to 80. Senators
McNary and Capper risked getting in
to the minority on this latter vote.
We wonder IL senators who are
against q 20 per cent tax on the ex-
cess OF profit above halt the invested
capital in one year really think that
they have any indication whatever
that they are carrying out the will Of
the voters. Both party platforms
were silent on the excess profits tax
to avoid giving publicity to the issue
Senator Nelson, who opposed raising
the pay OF common soldiers during the
war to $50 month and who always
knows without investigating that rail
road labor gets too good treatment, IL
among those who think it wrong tc
tax a profit in excess Of SO per cent
annually.
The vote Of Senator Norbeck o.
South Dakota, shows the strong pub
lie sentiment Nonpartisan Leaguers
have been creating in that state.
EDlsoN's VIEW OF PUBLIC.
Mr.. Thomas Edison, the great in
yentor, is pessimistic about genera
intelligence and sees in this lack al
the cause of slow progress.
.Only two per cent understand,
SAYS Edison, because only two pc
cent have sufficient imagination. Tha
is why it takes so long to get an,
kind of needed legislation. 1t take
Is or 30 years to put anything over
IF the people of the United States ha
| Imagination, they could understand
thing the first time they were tol
and be ready to act at once"
| When asked what chance there wa
for self government If only two pc
I cent understand, he replied: Not
chance on earth. We have governmen
by little group of men, most OF who1
| are lawyers"
Alleged agitators have been SHOW
ing the public this latter fact Tor
long time. and Edison's gloomy vie'
ia evidently confirmed by the fact ths
a majority Of rs still believe that "
rule and not q small autocracy.
Edison sees what civilization v
have as greatly endangered BY o.
1 complex relations and problems VIII
ont a corresponding Development
the citizens ability to think tor nh
aelf and act we'll in his own fnterea
! MORE lpLENEss FoREcAsT.
i Unemployment has not reached i
] height, says Sir George Psish, 3.
tiah financial expert. Next year.
predicts, the number Of idle mep ~
81 double today's list. His predicate
] applies to the United States . We
as to Great Britain and other nation
q The reason for this dismal pro
hesv. Sir George says, il the refus
( Of governments Of the world to tai
e9ective steps to deal with The Q