New-York tribune., 1921-05-10
BoraIl Rallies
Jlsarnlelss to
DefyHartiirng
Demand for Amendment to
Navy Appropriation Bill
and Cut i'm Size To BE
Pushed i'm Senuie, He Says
Sees No Other Tax Relief
Disclaims Intent TO Hamper
President, but Declares
Congress Must End Race
From The. Tribune, Washington Bureau

Ffoff me 1rt6Gne's w dsftnGtoH Bureau
WASHINGTON, May 9.--The fight
for disarmament will be waged when
the naval appropriation bill is brought
up in the Senate, regardless of the fact
that President Harding is opposed to
any amendment calling for disarma-
ment or naval reduction being at
tached to the measure
Notice to this effect was served by
Senator Borah, Republican, of Idaho,
in statement to-day. He said Secre-
tary of the Treasury Mellon had said
there was no way to reduce tax bur-
dens except through cut in the army
and navy appropriations, and this
made it particularly matter for Con-
gress to determine. His statement
follows:
"Tho. friends of disarmament
throughout the country can rest as
sured that the friends of disarmament
in Congress are going to urge the
proposition consistently and persist
emily. No reason has been assigned
and no new situation has arisen which
would seem to justify our hating the
movement. On the other hand, there
are daily new reasons occurring and
constantly presenting themselves as to
why we should 60 ahead in every
proper way. This is a matter peculiar
ly for Congress.
Congress Alone Can Reduce Taxes
"Tbe Secretary of the Treasury has
ADVISED us that we cannot continue to
eXpend money as we are expending it
that to do so means disaster. He has
further advised us, as everybody who
has studied the situation knows, that
there is no way to reduce our tax bur-
dens except through a cut in the army
and navy appropriations. This makes
the. proposal simple one, and partcu-
iarly a matter for Congress TO deter
mine. 1t is the business of Congress
are reduced they must be reduced
through the action of Congress.
ANY suggestion, or any plan, which
looks to the curtailment of appropria =.
tions is legitimately within the juris-
diction Of Congress and within the
Jurisdiction of no other department. of
the government. The fact that the
plan, or suggestion, may incidentally
touch our relationship with other ma
tions should not be taken as prohibi-
tive of action by Congress. We have
no intention whatever of interfering
with the executive authority. We sim
ply propose to urge the only plan by
which it is possible for Congress to re-
duce these fearful burdens. which are
now running the people of this country.
ut is nothing less than a crime
against humanity that the three great
nations associated in the late war
should now be taxing their people to
death and driving on toward bank
ruptcy at a double rate of speed in
order to build up fighting forces nevar
before heard of in the world. Ger
tainly some one ought to be willing to
call halt, and if Congress, the taxing
power, the war-making power and the
responsible power to the people, is un-
willing to do anything it would look a.
II the whole scheme had broken down.
There seem to be those who think
there is no haste about this matter
Well, | have an idea that the taxpay-
ers think that relief cannot come too
soon. And unless we halt this COM
petltive race before we get SO far
along that suspicion and hate and
Jealousy have taken control of the sit
uation we will not halt it at ALL
Sees No Other Remedy
"To say that Congress is not pri
marily concerned and primarily re-
sponsible for this condition of affairs
being continued is to side-sten the
issue and Congress cannot escape it's
responsibility by any such disphanous
or transparent excuse. Furth ermore.
there Is no way to prevent this com
petltlve armament race except throurh
the power of public opinion-throuph
and by means of the activities of the
people who pay taxes"