The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-02-07
PLAN TO. REFUND.
!. THE HI FOREIGN ! RI :.|.G|' ! DEBT !: B
REPuaIlcAN MAJORITY IN The
s.fsEhATE BELIEVES At MAS :
.Ss5 THE RIGHT SCHEME. }
is, DEVISED in CONFERENCES
Cash for Payments to Former, Service
Men Probably viii RsSa Derived
From Our European pebtors-
smoot Still Urging Sales Tax. -
BY EDWARD B. CLARK

WaShinStOn.-Ihe Republican ma.
jOrity in the senate is hammering out
the prospective gold Of the foreign
debt funding bill into a glittering leg
islative sheet which will be warrant
ed to hold water. Of course this thing
is financial matter, and in finance
east is east and west is west, though
why it should be geographical mat
ter, an affair Of latitude and longitude,
so to speak, no layman in Washington
seems thoroughly to understand. Such
is the fact, however. and what the
bases should be to make finances sta
bic are matters Of varying prairie
and oceanside opinion.
The Republicans in the senate, hav.
ing a large majority over the Demo
cratic brethren, have been holding con-
ferences. Apparently today no party
which happens to be in the majority
in the senate feels safe in calling an
old-time caucus in which each man
who entered virtually pledges himself
to abide by a majority decision. TO:
day they confer and come to partial
agreements which are to be kept only
ins case some of the gentlemen pres
ent do not discover afterward that
there is ample reason to change their
minds about the legislative program
and elect, after explanation,
to stand in opposition. :.
Apparently it is now definitely as
sured that the senate will face some
kind Of a veterans. adjusted compen-
sation bill containing a cash payment
provisions. It is not, however, def
nitely known whence is to, come the
money to pay. the bills. Eventually,
probably, the cash payments to the for
mer soldiers, will be made from funds
collected from foreign debtors Of Uncle
Sam. Even if a proper bill for fund
ing the foreign debt is passed by con-
gress, there is no final assurance to-
day when these funds will be avail
able. ~,
: =. Sales Tax Still Opposed.
=, Senator AlcCumber has assumed the
leadership Of the finance committee
He probably will be held in part per.
sonally Irresponsible by the country
for .tlleSfinal form WHICH the bill for
the funding Of tho foreign debt shall
assume OF course, the Republican
majority will be responsible, but the
President must take: some of the bur-
den, whether it be praise or bl2me,
because in way lie is the director-ln.
chief OF the party's Legislative activi-
ties.
When the taxation measures first
were given consideration, Senator
Smoot. of Utah, who in a way is the
real leader of the Republican majority
in the senate, stood as the advocate
Of a sales tax. There was great Op-
position, and, appreciating its force
and probably final effect, Mr.. Smoot
made changes in his proposal. He
won some few senator's to his side,
but he could not get enough Of them
to carry the day. 49,
There is still great opposition to tire
sales tax as. Il means OF raising addi-
tional revenue. This kind Of a tax
has been advocated, opposed. praised
and damned alternately. Certain .ele-
ments in the manufacturing communi-
ties are, opposed to it, and certain, ele-
ments in them are in favor Of 1t, and
identically the same words. can be
used to describe tho feelings Of the
consuming masses.
Want to Try Something Anyhow.
Who knows? Mr.. Smoot says he
knows, and other men in the senate
say they know. The non-1eglslator is
convinced by one argument and then
unconvinccd by the rebuttal. and there
you go. Sometimes the wish is ex-
pressed that ''any old thing" might
be tried out In order to see how It will
work. Such is the yearning for re-
lief of some kind from those elements
in the American communities who hap.
pen to be represented in one way or
another In Washington when hearings
are being held by the committees hay
ing charge Of finances.
The Republican majority In. the SEN
ate seems finally to believe that it sees
the fixed light Of agreement among its
members and that the fractional ships
now can steer a clear course into, the
harbor Of harmony. When the senate
last spring the Republicans
had such great majority that there
was rejoicing among them because
they believed the way was clear and
no troubles could beset their helms
man or crew. Some storms came,
rocks and sandbars were encountered
and the supposedly stanch vessel has
been several times near to. the point
Of foupdering. Now the Republicans
say. although the Democrats strongly
deny it, that the seams and holes in
the hull have been closed and that the
craft is as good as new. The Demo-
Gratis believe that the Republican ma
jority IS likely again TO break into
factions at any moment. T..
District Hit BY Economy Spasm.
In the name OF economy. a good!
deal of scrimping seems to be the or
der Of the congressional day. The ex<
penses OF government are simply enor-
nous, and congress, in it's effort to-