Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-01-18
A BAD RECORD

the capital IN many DAY.
A BAD RECORD
n1cHARD L1NsTR1cUM who
N Is director Of publicity for the
National Democratic committee,
furnishes this striking review OF
the record Of the republican party
in congress since it came in control
of both houses, some three years
ago. He says:
"A chronology of the republican
administration for 1921, under re-
dictionary leadership partakes more
of the nature of a neurology, includ-
ing the dead hopes for business and
industrial revival in that calendar
year.
ANY review Of republican fail
ure in 1921 to be thoroughly under
stood and properly analized, must
be prefaced by at least sumn1ar-
lied statement of the legislative
record of that party beginning in
1919, for the republican party was
in control of both branches Of the
congress of the United States for
two years prior to 1921.
"In the congress of 1919, the
democratic party presented a COM
prehensive program Of reconstruc-
ton. including scientific tax revi-
sion based upon a knowledge and
understanding Of economic prin-
ciples which, if it had been adopted,
would have relieved the people OF
most of the burdensome war taxes
and have made necessary taxation
bearable by reason of its equitable
and just distribution.
"The reactionary republican ele-
ment in control Of legislation re-
jected the democratic plan for re-
construction and then failed to pass
any remedial legislation. Whether
the failure was due to incompetency
or to an unholy desire to continue
the oppressive burdens Of the war
in order to bring about popular
revolt in the campaign Of 1920, Is
matter of opinion. The excuse
offered by the reactionaries for
failure to act was that nothing per-
manent could be accomplished un-
til the republican party had full
control of the government.
I'm the congress Of 1919 the re-
publican senate played politics with
the peace of the world and in Sc
doing promoted and brought on a
universal economic breakdown the
effect of which is shown by ar
economic loss to this country alone
Of $40, 900, 900, 600 or nearly twice
as much as the war cost the United
States financially. That is the legis.
lative record of the party under
reactionary control prior to the in.
aueuration of President Harding
last March when it came into full
control of all branches of the gov
eminent.
ION April II, the congress over
whelmingly republican in botf
branches, and the republican ma
iorities overwhelmingly dominated
by reactionaries, was called in spe
cial session and did not adjourn
sine die until the eve Of Thanks
giving, by which adjournment i
added a special reason for the oh
servance Of that day.
! without exception the goos
legislation passed by that specia
session was non-partisan Legislation
or legislation passed by a coalition
of democrats and progressive re
publicans. Among the nonpartisal
legislation can be cited the Bulge
Act, Farm Credits Act, Good Road
Act, Soldiers Relief Act, the Grail
Exchange Act, etc, some of whicl
;. originated with the democrats. TIL
t Packers Control Act and Grail
Exchange acts were passed afte
much reactionary republican oppo
sition.
!, 1.-THE one outstanding grea
: achievement-the Borah resolution
! for a conference on the limitatio
: of armaments-was forced throug
: both houses by the fear Of coali
: ton of democrats and progressiv
; republicans.
t 1.-THE two achievements, If sue
legislation can be called achive
I ments, Of the reactipnary groul
were the Emergency TFiff AZ
1 | and the Tax Revision Act III