River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-12-01
Our Weekly Letter
From Washington
By James A. Frear, NJ. C.


Congress adjourned for ten days
last Wednesday and the last few days
were continuous sessions for some of
the Members concerned in heavy legis-
lature bills that congested the closing
calendar. In the Senate the Newberry
case from Michigan almost brought
Senators to blows, according to the
press. However, the press is not
always accurate in it's account of what
occurs in Congress. / have in mind
the contest in the House over the Sur
tax rate in which 81 republicans and
1903 Democrats joined forces to pre-
vent further reduction in the tax than
was offered by the unanimous vote
of the Senate. The rate of 500 on
incomes over 100000 is less than
$3.50 on incomes of $4,000 or less be-
cause $4,000 is first exempted and the
limit thereafter begins at one per
cent on every $4,000 until it reaches
the 5Oeo limit. This was the maximum
rate fixed by the Senate and the
House. agreed to that figure. Strong
pressure was brought to bear on Mem
hers and the President was persuaded
to write letter, suggesting that the
House and Senate agree on conf
promise rate of 409t. The time for
discussion was turned over to me for
the "a Republicans and during debate
I stated that members of the commit
tee had misled the President and were
unfair and unjust to other members
nv the course taken. | further stated
I honored the President as an Exec'l-
tive and so did every Member q the
House and it was no reflection that we
maintained different opinions, because
I did not believe he was correctly IN
formed as to the situation or facts IN
controversy.
Several strong men of the House
like Reayis. Sinnott, Beggs and others
followed who discussed the letter or
surtax along other lines. Press re-
ports said that the President had
been charged with being unfair and
unjust" by those who were supporting
the Soc surtax and editorials were
framed on such misstatements OF
fact. The unfairness l charged was
against Members and not against the
President who has weighty matters
on his hands that are of vast import
ance compared with legislative diff
fArences of Congress. This is men,
toned to show how easily mlsun-
derstanding may occur and men be
charged with something they never
said or intended to say. The revenue
hill was supported by the writer all
trough it did not meet entire approval
by any means. Legislation is nnes-
tion of compromise and the bill as
finally offered is far preferable to
existing war time legislation.
IL hot on a
November 21st in reply to criticisms
based on incorrect report OF the Is
sue, placed in the record kilograms
from Governor Blaine and my ans
wer as follows: madison, Wisconsin,
November Is, 1921, Hon. James A.
Frear. House of representatives
Washington, D. c. The people OF
Wisconsin will heartily approve OF the
action of the Wisconsin delegation IN
their fight for the so per cent surtaX;
/ congratulate you. ! hope you VIII
be equally successful in passing the
soldiers compensation bill without the
imposition of a consumption tax.
joni j. Blaine. Governor"
The answer reads washington, ID.
c.. November 10, 1921. Governor
John j. Blaine, Madison, Wisconsin.
: Your good message conveyed to our
Representatives. The Wisconsin dele
CATION turned the tide against the in
famous dye embargo which was de-
feated by a close vote in the perma
nent tariff bill this session. Soon af-
terward the delegation in close vote
helped defeat the repeal of the excess
profits tax and high surtaxes for 1921.
involving over half billion dollars OF
revenues and this week the delegation
helped send to defeat frantic effort
to cut in half the maximum surtaxes
on wealth. Last session by clos"
vote in Republican conferences. the
Wisconsin delegation defeated the
sales tax in the soldiers compensation
bill that passed the House, but died in
the Senate. / agree with you it would
be sad commentary for Congress to
give half billion dollars to railway
security holders with one hand and
cut down a half billion dollars in an
nual taxes on wealth with the other.
and then permit ex-service men in
recognition of the sacrifice to pay
themselves a small government COM
pensation through consumption taxes
laid on their own families. That is
not the Wisconsin idea. James A.
Frear."
Congressman Lampert of the Sixth
District has been chosen by the Wis
consin delegation to represent our
state on the Congressional Committee.
Mr.. Lampert is one of the newer men,
bers but ne has taken an active part IN
work and is chairman of an investiga-
ton committee this session that has
deyeloped startling facts. Among 9TH
er things it disclosed that one man
at the head of Washington milk
concern was making 5000 day
through milk distribution and $4,000
per year was paid to him and menu
bers of his family in salaries. Other
distributors made proportionately
large profits. When it is remembered
that milk is practically necessity for
the sick ard infants it is hard to nm
derstand why some people do not be-
lieve in place of future punishment
and reward for those who take advan-
tage of helpless consumers here.