The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-04-21

0enSOme as TO uefeat their own pur
pose. A prompt and thorough-going
revision of the internal tax laws, made
with due regard TO the protection of
the revenues, is, in my judgment, a
requisite to the revival of business ac-
tivity in this country. 1t is earnestly
hoped therefore that the congress will
be able to enact without delay a re-
vision of the revenue laws and such
emergency tariff measures as are neces-
sary to protect American trade and in
dustry.
Excess Profit Tax Repeal Pledged.
1t is of less concern whether inter-
nal taxation or tariff revision shall
come first than has been popularity
imagined because we must do both, but
the practical course for earliest accom-
plishment will readily suggest itself to
the congress. We are committed to
the repeal of the excess profits tax and
the abolition of inequities' and unjust
itiable exasperations in the present
system.
The country does not expect and
will not approve a shifting of burdens.
1t is more interested in wiping out the
necessity for imposing them and elm
iudlIuS SouIuSiOu anu COSl 1 tuc wi
lection.
Tariff Urgency Set Out.
The urgency for an instant tariff en-
actment, emergency in character and
understood by our people that it is
for the emergency only, cannot be too
much emphasized. l believe in the
protection of the American industry
and it is u purpose to prosper Ameri-
ca first. The privileges of the Ameri-
can market to the foreign producer are
offered too cheaply today and the eff
feet on much of our own productivity
is the destruction of our self reliance,
which is the foundation of the indie
pendence and good fortune of our peo-
pie. Moreover imports should a
their fair share of our cost Of govern
ment.
Farmers Protection Emphasized
One who values American prosperity
and maintained American standards Of
wage and living car have no sympathy
with the proposal that easy entry and
the flood of imports will cheaper u
costs of living. 1t is more likely to de-
stroy our capacity to buy. Today
American agriculture is Inenaced, and
its products are down 20 prewar nor
mails, yet we are endaugering our fun
damental industry through the high
cost of transportation from farm to
market and through the influx of for.
eign farm products, because we offer,
essentially unprotected the best NOR
ket in the world. 1t would be better
to err in protecting our basic food in
dustry than ~paralyze our farm activi-
ties in the world struggle for restored
exchanges.
Hold U. S. Markets Secure.
The maturer revision of our tariff
laws should be based on the policy of
protection, resisting that selfishness
which turns to greed, but ever con-
cerned with that productivity at home
which is>the source Of all abiding good
fortune. 1t is agreed that we can not
sell unless we buy, but ability to sell
is based on home development and the
fostering of home markets. There is
little sentiment in the trade OF the
world. Trade can and ought to be
honorable, but it knows no sympathy.
While the delegat~s of the nations at
war were debating peace terms at
Paris and while we later debated our
pan III IOllplCI4lS LliG pSd1C, COAAlACI-
cial agents Of other nations were open
ing their lines and establishing their
outposts with a forward look TO the
morrow's trade. 1t was wholly proper
and has been advantageous to them.
Tardy as we are, it will be safer to
hold u own markets secur and build
thereon for our trade with the world.
Budget System Urged.
A very important matter is the es-
Enlistment of the governments bust
ness on a business basis. There was
federation on the easygoing, ~unsyste-
matte method of handling our fiscal
affairs when indirect taxation held the
public unmindful of the federal bur-
den. But there is knowledge of the
high cost of government today, and
high cost Of living is inseparably link
ed with high cost of government.
There a be no complete Correction
Of the high living cost until govern
ment's cost is notably reduced.
Warns of Restraining Trade.
have said to the people we meant
to have less of government in bust
ness as well as more business In gov
eminent. II is well to have il under
SNOOu maj DuSlhCoS HdS a. IlSlI 10 UuE-
sue its normal, legitimate and right
eous way unimpeded, and it ought to
have no call TO meet government COM
petition where all risk is borne by the
public treasury. There is no challenge
to honest and lawful business success.
But government approval of fortunate
untrammeled business does not mean
federation of restraint of trade or of
maintained prices by unnatural meth
DDS. 1t is well to have legitimate bust
ness understand that a just govern
ment, mindful Of the interests of all
the people, has a right to expect the
cooperation Of that legitimate bust
ness in stamping out the practises
which add to unrest and inspire re-
strictive legislation. Anxious as we
are to restore the onward flow of bust
ness, it is fair to combine assurance
and warning in one utterance.
High Prices Held Unjustified.
One condition il the business world
may well receive ,our inquiry. Deia-
tion has, been in progress, but has fail
ed 10 reach the mark where it can be
proclaimed to the great mass of con-
sumers. Reduced costs of basic pro-
duction has been recorded, but high
cost Of living has not yielded in like
proportion. For example, the prices