Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-02-18

EVENTS OF A WEEK.

4S DAA"
Bonus legislation, which has occupied a promi-
inent place in public thought, has been brought into
s,still more striking relief by the action of President
in recommending to congress, through a
letter to Chairman Fordney, of the house ways and
means committee, the levying of a sales tax as d
means of raising the funds with which to meet the
added expenditure, and, it is considered mex
,pedient to levy the sales tax now, to postpone action
:s3on the bonus until a more oppertune time.
4 The bonus question has been the subject of
Spirited debate in both branches of congress. and a
tentative agreement had been made by a number
..,of house republicans to support a plan involving a
rIscrles OF special taxes on various actlvltles>and COM
%.lmodities for the purpose of raising the fund. The
whole subject is again thrown into confusion. The
majority in the house is decidedly opposed to the
sales tax, as is the agricultural bloc, represented i'll
vboth houses. The national Grange, the Farm Blu
reau federation, and other farm organizations have
declared against it. The charge is now made that
the supporters Of the sales tax are seeking to use
the bonus as a means Of forcing their favorite plan
!, upon the country.
Ireland has again been the storm certer. Its
brief period of quiet has been interrupted by acts of
violence in Ulster and along the border, and a state
e very close to civil war for some days. In the dis
turbances some 80 persons have been killed and an
! unknown number wounded. Better conditions have
I recently been reported, and the situation has been
4 improved by the release of about 40 Ulster men who
had been kidnapped by extremists from the south.
\ The release Of these men was effected through the
activity of Michael Collins, head of the provisional
government of the Irish Free State, who has been
working vigorously for the maintenance of order.
X + \ 4
! AS if the adjustment Of affairs between Ulster
and the south were not a sufficient complication by
itself, what seems to be a still more menacing sit
uatlon IS assuming important proportions IN the &C
tive hostility shown the provisional government by
& De Valera and his supporters, who are accused by
= Collins OF the purpose to SDr1n0 a coup III southern
Ireland which will result in the establishment Of a
Soviet government there, substantially along the
lines OF the Russian organization. Whatever the
purpose may be, De Valera is now bitter iii his de-
nunciation of the whole Free State program, urging
rejection Of the treaty and defiance Of the provi-
sional government. In the meantime the British
House of Commons has passed on second reading
the administration bill providing for additional ma
4 chinery for carrying out the terms of the treaty,
and giving necessary authority to the provisional
government. The movement OF British troops
from southern Ireland, which was interrupted be-
cause of the uncertainties OF the internal conflict,
has been resumed, and the situation has assumed a
more promising aspect.
THERE'S a strong belief that if the threatened
strike is called it will be the most bitterly fought in
il the history of the coal industry. The miners are
I well organized, and through the methods of collect
4 ing dues employed the organization is well Sup
( Piled with funds. The leaders are said to be de-
termlned to force government intervention IT pos
/ sible, on the theory that if the government inter-
venes at least part OF their wage demands will be
granted. Moreover, they are said to favor strongly
l the plan of government Intervention in-the belief
/ that it will lead to government operation OF the
mines. This they believe will mean continued high
! wages for the miners, with the deficits balanced by
tax collections from the public. \
For a day or so Mexico was decidedly in the
I public eye through the nassing of American troops
4 to the number OF some 5000 at the border, mostly
Elan the neighborhood of Fort Bliss. This movement
aiwas due to reports Of revolutionary activity in the
dHnorthern Mexican states, with the possibility that
II mcidents similar to those which have attended other
disturbances might be repeated. The rebellion
to have subsidized. Francisco Villa, to whom
San appeal was made for support by the new lead
a~Ialirels which he won in former revolutions Two
asof the new revolutionary leaders were captured and
shot, and their followers scattered: The American
Troops will return to their former Stations.
ssSS Protests have beem made in numerous quarters
against the action Of the navy department in dis
/ continuing work, some four thousand men having
4 Been thrown out Of employment. No method has
bsen suggested, however, whereby the terms of the
arms treaty could be carried out without suspend
Ire recopditioning of Re Leyiathan, the former
4~sernaan liner seized By TIL United States as an act
nj, and which has been lying idle SINCE the war.
y been awarded. The contract goes to a New
aafert News firm.
s n as ss,. sss. g y E'sh |.5 5aGi' s gi,s,I sfsi, & 81 IS sss gesa
100 ffe, senate and referred TO Committee. Tkis
IS. M negg16hated near TIE beginning Of the
2lle eeeplsrfhfe but not Is q PAT 81 IL p proceed
s#@lAf result Of the report of Secretary HHooys.
stkskas and unethod 81 the American commit.
ko Russian famine relief President Harding has