River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-10-13
Our Weekly Letter
From Washington
(By James A. Frear, M. CO.

conference. The statement is wrong
in practically every respect to put it
mildly and is largely Pigment Of the
reporters imagination. Senator Bor-
ali and others are demanding open
conference and it is case where the
writer refused to express an opinion
other than to give arguments offered
for and against. Others in the office
at the time have complimented the
reporters Munchausen style of trying
to make a sensation but no more in
terviews or attempted interviews will
be extended to the gentleman in ques-
ton.
Senators opposed to any sales tai
of any description have blocked the
Smoot sales tax of 3l1 on manufac-
turers. This tax is not so drastic in
effect as tuln over sales tax where
every turn over from the producer to
the retail seller would add his tax but
manufacturers tax would have been.
passed on to the consumer and IS
deemed wrong in principle because it
Is not levied according to ability to
pay. No general sales tax will find
place in the revenue bill. 1t was first
rejected in the House and now by the
Senate. Many tax measures have been
suggested that will place the tax
more equitably on those who are bles-
sed with large incomes and have a
generous share of this worlds goods.
From present Indications, however,
the Senate will accept the House bill
practically as finally rassed by the
House although an increase in the in
heritance tax, urged by the writer in
the House Committee will be agreed
to and surtaxes on individual income
will be increased over the Hclse
maximum of 32ee.
The revenue bill, peace treaty and
tariff bill are all before the Senate
and will keep that body busy until the
end of the special session. The House
| has many matters for consideration
and one during the coming week re-
| lates to the new apportionment under
/ the last census. At present each
Congressman has district with APP
proximately 100000 population. In
crease in the 1920 census will make
f the average higher depending upon
' the size of the House. 1t now num-
| bers about 435 members and is SO UNI
wieldy that strong efforts are being
made to hold representation to the
present figure. If so, Wisconsin will
retain eleven districts because the in
crease of population in our state has
been about the average Of the com
try during the past decade.
Last week the writer's position in
post office appointments was stated
but that no intention of being fore
closed from interferences was sug-
gested where facts justified. This is
the attitude of several members with
whom the matter was discussed. For
Nv six letters were received in two
days last week recommending one or
more applicants in one small city in
Trempealeau county. In another city
where several candidates are contest
ing the friends of one candidate urged
that he was an overseas officer
Wounded in action and decorated,
while friend; of another candidate
for the same office urged that he was
veteran of two wars and did import
ant service during the last war. Other
candidates for the same office had
friends urge their exceptional qualifi-
cations, all of which must first be
passed on or by the Civil Service Com
mission. Several candidates for a
third class office occurs where one app
1licant believes he should be preferred
because of foreign service while a
competitor felt his claims should be
recognized because his son, splendid
s boy, well known to the writer, was
killed in action. Friends ordinarily
supporting one or the other of the
different candidates so that after the
Jivil Service Commission makes its
report it would then remain to pick
me from the three candidates sub
nitted aside from their comparative
landing, with two to be rejected.
iany other cases besides those mem
Toned in the last letter or here stated
Justify the writer's conclusions of non
Interference.
A bill pending before the Ways
nd Means Committee proposes to
i've the Secretary of the Treasury
nrestricted and unlimited authority
refund the loans made by this gov
rnment to foreign governments dur
lg and since the war. These loans
ggregate with accrued interest over
even billion dollars and no good