The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-06

lean families, without injurious
competition with established aetiv-
tiles or impositions on wealth al
ready acquired.
Would Feed Russians.
While we are thinking of promot-
ing the fortunes of our own peo-
pie [ am sure there is room in the
sympathetic thought of America
for fellow human beings who are
suffering and dying of starvation in
Russia. A severe drought in the
valley of the Nolga has plunged
Is ,000, 900 people into grievous fam
inc. Our voluntary agencies are
exeTting themselves to the utmost
to save the lives of children in this
area, but it is now evident that IN
less relief is afforded the loss OF
life will extend into many millions.
America cannot be deaf to such
call as that.
We do not recognize the govern
ment of Russia, nor tolerate the
propaganda which emanateS there
from, but we do not forget the ira
ditions of Russian friendship. We
may put aside our consideration OF
all international politics and funda-
mental differences in government.
The big thing is the call OF the
suffering and the dying. UnreserV-
edly, [ recommend the appropria-
ton necessary to supply the Amer
lean relief administration with ten
million bushels Of corn and one
million bushels of seed grains, not
0f
through starvation, but to enable
spring planting in areas where the
seed grains have been exhausted
temporarily to stem starvation.
Government Should Help.
The American relief administra-
ton is directed in Russia by for
mer officers of our own armies, and
has fully demonstrated its ability
to transport and distribute relief
through American hands without
hindrance or loss. The time has
come to add the government sup
port to the wonderful relief
wrought ont of the generosity Of
the American private purse.
l am not unaware that we have
suffering and privation at home.
When it exceeds the capacity for
the relief within the states con-
cerned. it will have federal con-
sideration. 1t seems to me we
should be Indifferent 10 our own
heart promptings and out of accord
with the spirit which acClaims the
Christmastide if we do not give out
of our national abundance to light
en- this burden OF woe upon a peo-
!, ~ffNfr
ines peril
There are a full score of topics
concerning which it would be be
coming to address you, and on
which I hope to make report at
later time. I have alluded to
things requiring your earlier at
tention. However. l can not end
this limited address without sug-
gested amendment to the organic
law.
End NOn-TaxabIe Bonds.
Many of US belong to that school
of thought which is hesitant about
altering the fundamental law. l
think our tax problems. the tenden-
CIV of wealth to seek nOn-taAable
Investment. and tire menacing in
crease of public debt. federal, state
and municipal-aI justify pro-
posal to change the constitution so
as to end the issue Of nOn-taIable
bonds. No action can change the
status of the many billions out
standing, but We can guard against
future encouragement of capital
paralysis, while halt in the
growth of public Indebtedness
would be beneficial throughout our
whole land.
Such a change in the const tuition
must be very thoroughly considered
before submission There ought to
be known what influence it will
have on the ineEita BILE refunding of
our vast national debt, how it will
operate on the necessary refunding
Of state and municipal debt, how
the advantages of nation over state
and municipal, or the contrary, may
be avoided. Clearly the state would
not ratify to their own apparent dis