The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-18
Is Certain to Increase the Tax
Burden, They Say.
ESch- CumminS Transportation
Act Is Also Denounced.
WILL DEFY ADMINISTRATION
Pay Monopoly Fat Subsidy to
Operate q. S. Ships.
Help Farmer or Take a Worse
Licking, Says Capper.

Washington, Nov. IS. Senators
Robert NJ. LaFollette, of Wisconsin,
and Arthur Capper, of Kansas, return
ing here today in a fighting mood
both tore into the proposed ship sub
sidy as a measure certain to increase
the tax burden under which the peo-
pie are staggering and denounced the
Esch-Cummins transportation act as
largely responsible for the economic
evils from which the farmers are suf-
fering.
Senator LaFolIette, regarded now as
the logical leader of the militant pro-
gressive group in the senate to which
the recent election made material ac-
cessions, breathed defiance at the ad-
ministration. He served notice that
he would be found battling side by
side with Borah of Idaho. Norris OF
Nebraska, Ladd of North Dakota, and
ether progressive Republican senators
for the defeat of the subsidy bill and
the repeal of the transportation act.
He expressed elation over the election
of new progressive leaders like Ship
stead of Minnesota. Brookhart OF
Iowa, and Frazier of North Dakota as
fitting climax to his triumphant vic
tory in his own state.
To Tax the People.
He handles the ship subsidy with
all his characteristic fiery condemna-
ton of government measure of
which he strongly disapproves. He
u
government owned and constructed
ships to the shipping monopoly for 10
cents on the dollar; CD ito tax the
people to pay the shipping monopoly
a subsidy of millions of dollars a year
for ten years to operate the ships and
charge the public as high transporta-
ton rates as will satisfy its greed"
TN other words, give the govern
ment ships to the shipping monopoly
and pay it a fat subsidy to operate
them" said LaFollette. ''This is
President Harding's ship subsidy
scheme. Administration spokesmen in
congress did not dare put it thru be-
fore the recent election. So they pur-
suaded the president to let it go over.
He has now called congress into extra
session for the avowed purpose Of
1amming the bill thru and saddling
the people with another back-break-
ing tax. 1t has been an easy matter
to SO manage the shipping business
as to prevent Uncle Sans ships from
making money for the government or
from being operated in successful
competition with private lines.
This was brazenly accomplished by
tying up the government ships in
port"
Senator Capper Agrees.
Senator Capper also poured the
walls of his unqualified disapproval on
the proposed ship subsidy. He agreed
with Senator LaFoIlette that it would
be another back-breaking tax"
Odpp6r ueClareu II the HepuDucan
party was mot to receive a worse
licking" than it did at the recent cleo
ton, 1t must CARR thru really con-
structive agricultural problem for the
betterment of the farmers.
As chairman of the senate "agricui-
tural bloc" Capper voiced a vigorous
demand that the further development
of the Muscle Shoals power project be
put in the hands of Henry Ford with
out further delay
Reverting to the election. Capper
declared that the "standpat" leader
ship of the school met with defeat
everywhere.
Opposes Sales Tax.
THE country has shown itself in no
mood to stand for any Wall street
form of taxation" he continued. "a
sales 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
(COuffnuRd nm pa EoUr