The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-09-17
PEOPLE WANT
TAX, TARIFF,
PASSED SOON
Harding Hopes to See Both
Measures Out of Way at
Once-Long Period Of De-
bate Likely.
TAXATION COMES FIRST
BY MARK SULLIVAN

When congress comes together next
Thursday it will have exactly 10
weeks in which to complete the pro-
gram laid down for it. President
Harding speaking of the two most i'm
portant items of that program, taxa
ton and the tariff, expressed con
fident hope" on his part, that con-
gress will pass both OF these meas
ures during the 10 weeks
President Harding sincerely holds
this belief; but in holding it, he is
almost alone. That the taxation meas
ure will be passed, everyone believes.
AS to the tariff, the decidedly strong
or expectation is that this will not be
on the statute books when the present
session of congress adjourns on Dec.
5.
Would Mean Vast Change.
If these were the only two meas
ures to occupy congress, they might
conceivably be rushed through, but it
woud not only be necessary for con-
gress to have nothing else to do, it
would also be necessary for congress
to achieve Immediately upon reassem-
bling solidarity of party action and
vigor OF leadership, which it has not
yet shown. The thing is not likely
to happen.
1t is commonly said that, as soon
as the senate reconvenes the taxation
measure will be turned over to it and
will be kept to the front until ii is
finally passed. Broadly speaking,
this is true.
The Republican leaders know that
business men and the country gener.
ally have become peevish over the
long delay in letting the country know
what their taxes are to be. They are
eager to get something on the book,
and it is just this wish to get some
thing done that will probably color
the final passage of the tax schedule.
There is not yet, and there is not like
Iy soon to be any real coming togeth-
er OF the several factions who are of
diverse minds on this subject. What
now looks probable is a fairly long
period OF contentious debate in the
senate, followed by some kind of
rough and ready action, coupled with
The intention to take the whole sub
ject of taxation up again next year
and make a more thorough job of it.
Must Ratify Treaty.
Actually, it is probable that taxation
will not be the first subject taken up
IN the senate. 1t is more than likely
hat in the beginning right-of-way will
De given to the ratification of the Ger.
man Treaty.
The administration wants this mat
ter cleared up, and nearly everybody
Else has tired feeling of acquiescence
IN the same view. Ratification of the
treaty should not take much time. All
The elements that might have made for
delay in considering the league of ma
lions are absent.
Some of the Democrats will have
pointed speeches to make, but there is
no apprehension that the ratification OF
the German treaty will take any con
siderable quantity of time. But there
are other measures that will take
time.
Want Rail Bill Settled
One which will come up for early
consideration is the so-called railroad
GILL The administration is eager tc
get this bill passed early. because it is
believed that it constitutes the most
practicable available remedy for un
employment.
The purpose of the bill is to advance
half billion dollars to the railroads
on account of claims not yet fully
determined. which the railroads have
against government.
It is proposed to raise this money
by selling securities of the railroad.
now in possession of the government
The merit of the bill, in the eyes o.
The administration is, that it makes i
possible to furnish half billion dol
ars 10 the railroads without any
appropriation or any taxation.
The further merit of it in the belle
80 lee - L r
1red million dollars will be spent BY
!. he railroads in ways which will EN-
ploy labor and make business: anc
hat. in the end will have the result O
4 greater volume OF railroad traffic
'ollowed by reduction OF freigh
'ates. made possible by an increase il
he volume of traffic.
See Fight on This Bill.
The administration is earnest in it
advocacy of this bill because. obviousl,
Unemployment is the most serious
ietriment to contentment the countr-
1ow has. The weight of the adinistra
ion will probably be put behind tn,
dill strongly. II is equally certain. tha
strong opposition will be made b,
Senator La Toilette, and others an,
hat good deal of time will be con
sumed in a crimonious debate.
Related to the railroad bill, in
way. is the bill for refunding the debt
owed to us by various European GOV
srnments. In more fundamental wa
than the railroad bill. this foreign losl
reminding measure promises economi
relief not only TO the United States
but TO the world.
Would Straighten Foreign Debt.
The purpose of the measure is t
give the secretary Of the treasury wild
authority and discretion to handl
these loans in the way that appeals I
his judgment as being to the best intel
ests of the United States. These loan
are now substantially, in the form {
demand notes.
As demands notes, they are overdu,
Not only are they overdue, but ther
is three years accumulated interes
4 overdue. 1t is a simple matter to sa,
as a good deal of current agitatio
does say, that we should collect thi
money, but every business man know
that we cannot collect it now and tha
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