The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1921-08-10
KELLER LAMBASTS
GRAND OLD PARTY
CLAIMS REPS. FOLLOWING
THE DICTATION OF
WALL STREET.
IGNORANT OF A. B. C..
Does Not Mince Words in Ex-
pressing Opinion of Ineffi-
cheney Of Men Now in
Control.

Washington, August Declaring
that the machinery Of government
has been commandeered by a little
clique ignorant of the A, B, C's of
economies" who "have tied down the
safety valve Of free discussion until
an explosion threatens, which will
scatter the Republican party from
Maine to California Representa-
tive Oscar f. Kellar Of St. Paul,
Mimi, Republican, today issued
statement which scores the adminis-
tration for "blind obedience to Wall
Street" He asserts that this stupid,
selfish and shortsighted policy is re-
tarding prosperity and creating pro-
found distrust and discomfort among
the people"
Representative Kellar specifically
attacked the administration attitude
on railroad refunding, the Norris farm
export bill, the Fordney tariff, and
the suggested changes in the revenue
/ bill pending before the House ways
and means. He said "the presidents
advisors seem to think it possible for
this country to lift itself by its eco
lnomic bootstraps," referring to pro-
posed refund Of $500 100000 to the
railroads, and alleged that "the House
ways and means committee has DEM
onstrated its utter unfitness to deal
intelligently with the great financial
measures on which to q great degree
the prosperity Of the country de-
pends."
Representative Keller's statement in
part follows:
sour ability to compete with other
nations for world markets--and con.
sequently our prospertty-prim
depends on reasonable transportation
charges, cheap power low interest.
easy rents, low taxation. efficient
labor and systematic distribution We
have adopted a policy which has
brought about the exact reverse Of
these ideal conditions.
"our exorbitant transportation
rates absorb producers profits and
paralyze production. Our great ma
tural water power resources are mon
opolizcd or undeveloped, and power
is correspondingly dear. Interest
rates are high, credit is controlled, and
spectators are favored over pro-
ducers. Rents are excessive, taxes
are crushing and our manner Of dis
tribution is the most costly and cum
bersome in the civilized world.
"The government has attempted to
Iegislate on every one Of these vital
problems within the past six months,
but instead Of honestly searching for
the best way out Of our industrial diff
fculties, and welcoming the disinter-
csted advice Of economists, scientists,
engineers, real financiers and experts
in various lines. the machinery Of gov
ernment has been commandered by
little clique. ignorant Of the A. B. C.'s
of economies, whose blind obedience to
Wall Street is responsible for the
stupid. selfish and shortsighted policy
that is retarding our prosperity and
creating profound distrust and dis
content among the people.
"The president has assumed more
power than any Of his predecessors
and tells Congress what bill TO pass
and what not to pass. Bills concocted
at secret conferences are introduced .
without being referred to responsible
committees. The presidents advisers
seem 90 think it possible for this
country 20 lift itself by its economic
bootstraps and vaguely promise that
a half billion dollar gift to the rail-
rcads-which in some mysterious
mw1npr IS not to increase taXes-wilt
restore prosperity They would do
better 20 busy themselves with lower
ing rates. taking off the transport
tax. and seeing 70 it that the railroads
are run efficiently with a minimum Of
waste
"In the matter Of farm credits
absolutely imperative, II the purchss-
inr power Of the people is to be re-
stored-the president interfered to
block a bin designed to eliminate Md
dIemen and directly aid the producers
As a Consequence q camoutlaged
measure has been passed which viii
benefit bankers. dealers and spccula-
tors more than it viii the actual rsis-
ers q farm crops.