Southwest Washington labor press. [volume] (Hoquiam, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1922-11-24
AMERICAN VOTERS
ASK FOR RESULTS;
TIRED OF DEBATES
scOatInued FrOm Pase onsl

In the general result. There is moth
ing upon which the country Is more
insistent than upon an immediate and
material cut in transportation charges.
Tariff and Taxation
There is nothing In the returns to
induce any party, least Of all the Re-
publican party, to compromise or al
ter on the 18th amendment and its
honest and earnest enforcement.
The new tariff was not actively an
issue. The elastic provisions Of the
new law, enabling the President, on
the advice of an expert commission,
to change or moderate duties, has
taken off the curse which usually at
taches to such legislation. Remove
tariff-making from politics and 1t
ceases to be a disturbing factor.
The country has shown itself In
no humor to stand for any Wall Street
form of taxation. A sale tax, or any
other taxation scheme for shifting the
burden from those best able to carry
it to those least able to bear it, is
unthinkable, as would be reduction
Of surfaces on big incomes and large
estates at this time.
Standpat leadership of the old
school met with defeat everywhere.
The people voted enthusiastically for
the progressives. The reason is that
the Twentieth Century American vo-
ter wants things done, not hindered.
Even actual achievement wins scant
praise from him unless results show
up promptly. Instead of praising the
administration or the party which has
done well under difficult circumstan-
ces, the present day voter is as likely
to give 1t prod by piling up votes
for its political adversaries at the first
following general election, simply to
show his discomfort with legislative
bitches and slow-moving methods of
administration and debate.
Discomfort Good Omen
] am not finding fault with this
fierce Impotence for more efficiency
in government, but hail this discon-
tent as good omen. What It win
lead to and what it is leading to is
more and more direct attention and
closer study by state and by national
leaders, of the true interests of the
whole people, devoted, earnest con.
sideration of the general welfare to
the exclusion of any merely special
interest. This in itself will speedsup
our system through finally eliminat-
ing the great incubus of privilege
which does so much to interfere with
and block progress. / don't think we
shall get anywhere in our effort to
restore confidence in government by
piling more than fifty million dollars a
year on the public's back in the form
of a ship subsidy. in addition to its
present burden.
/ do not consider concern for the
condition Of American agriculture and
for constructive legislation in its be-
half. Is in any sense class feeling or
class legislation. Agriculture is the
only foundation upon which the we'll
being of state and nation can securely
rest. II the Republican party which
already has shown its concern for the
welfare Of agriculture, is to continue
in power, 1t must finish the cOnstruc-
tive program it has so well started IN
the farming industry's behalf
Progressive Legislation
It must put through the complies
rural credit plan. to provide farmers
and stockmen with an adequate finan.
cial system.
1t must increase the loan limit of
the federal farm loan banks from &c.
900 to $4,000.
1t must reduce freight charges.
u must repeal section 15-a and other
Objectionable provisions OF the Cum
mins-Esch transportation act
Il must carry out the policy for q
better system Of marketing.
It must put the development OF the
Muscle Shoals project In the hands OF
Henry Ford.
It must pass the Truth-In-Fabrics
bill.
It must pass the vOight Filled-Mnk
bill.
II mus. pass a constitutional amend
ment prohibiting tax-exempt se.uri-
ties.
It must bring about still further ro-
ductioL in tao burdea' and stl'' fur