Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-27

failure to reduce taxes and unemploy-
ment and 20 relieve business distress.
Although the tariff is no longer an over
s~hadOwing issue from the Democratic
viewpoint, they will stress the Republi-
can failure TO pass q tariff law. They
claim the Republicans viii be unable to
nac a law that will satisfy any one
because Of the chaotic state Of world
business. The American valuation plan,
upon which the proposed tariff law is
based. will be hit by the Democrats as
a breeder OF graft and corruption in the
customs service, because, they say no
one can determine the duties under the
plan
Bad appointments, disregard of the
Civil Service law, traficking in Offices.
setting aside the soldiers preference act.
the return to the spells system, and the
catering to privileged interests. viii be
high talking points for Democratic spell
binders fostered by the Democratic com
mittees.
But Mr.. Fess says the Republicans do
! Tvt propose TO let them get away with
n They propose TO wage an aggressive.
d hensiye campaign. They viii refuse to
II put on the defensive. Instead Of an
wering charges, they propose to CARY
8the fight TO the Democrats and TO the
country. the record Of achievements IN
| der the Harding Administration. The
war brought burdens that demanded
n economy and the Republicans outlined
Van economy program which, MIR. Fess
says, viii be unfolded to the country.
First they dismantled the war machine.
reducing pay rolls and disseminating war
agencies to a point where efficiency on q
normal basis vas obtained.
The next step was to rigidly enforce
the budget plan. In the eight minor ap-
preparation bills passed by the House.
Mr.. Fess said, the estimates Of director
OF the budget, Dawes, were cut IA total
Of S65,0O0.O0 0 The Army bill was
slashed $50, 200, 900. a huge slice will be
taken put of the Navy estimates. In ad-
dition TO this. the leaders have agreed TO
defer all legislation. except emergency
measures, that carry large approprla-
tons
Thus, having determined the cost Of
government, which IN turn fixes the cost
Of tsxationg the Republicans propose to
show how they educe Government ex-
penses from about $4,000. 100000 in 1919
to $~4.06j.O00OOO in 1922. with the promise
Of dropping to S3.5O0,OOO,OOO in 1928.
This was the best that could be done.
Mr.. Tess said. in view OF the fixed charges
growing out Of the war. The interest on
the public debt amounts to s9T5.O 900, 900.
the sinking fund 1881. 10000 and the cost
OF caring for the disabled soldiers in
1922. S~499.O00,O00. That leaves about a
billion and a half to run the Government,
(which Mr.. Tess says is little more than
pre-War budgets.
With these expenses to meet the best
Republicans could do in tax reductions
was TO repeal the excess profits and
transportation taxes and cut the sur-tax
to 30. per cent, according to Mr.. Tess.
They expect to do better next year in tax
cuts.
DEMOCRATS TO OFFER
CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAM.
The Democrats do not expect to hang
their hopes on charges Of failure. They
will offer 4 constructive program and
policy Of their own. They will bark
back to the Wilson Administration as
evidence Of the efficiency of the party
to handle the affairs of the Government.
During the Wilson regime they claim
Congress enacted the greatest cOnstruc-
tive legislation in the history Of the
country. Judge Hull cites the Federal
Reserve Act, Income Tax Law, Farm
Loan Act, Good Roads Act, Tariff Com
mission, taking the tariff out of politics
and making it an economic issue, and
many other laws as evidence that the
Democrats took care Of finance, business.
agriculture, labor-alI classes By
beneficial legislation.
Another evidence OF democratic eff
cheney to be stressed is the fact that fol-
lowing the Armistice. the reconstruction
plan drafted and presented by the Demo
cratic Administration. which they claim
would have averted the distress and
business depression. was rejected by the
Republican Congress in 1919. One thing
that the Democratic committee believes
that is necessary TO reconstruction is a
sound public opinion on matters of taxa
tion. foreign relations and transportation
their endeayOr to create this opinion.
Jhe Democrats will try to impress upon
the people the idea that the Republican
party is the friend 81 big business and
the proht-er. On the other hand, they
hope to create the impression that the
Democratic party is the honest business
mans party and he VIII be considered in
all legislation.
When the Democrats begin to harp on
Republican extravaganza. the G. o. P.
will turn their guns on the source of the
public debt and air the contracts made
during the Wilson Administration. The
Republicans are going to pay these
claims, but they do not propose to accept
the Democratic attacks sitting down.
ARMS CONFERENCE TO BE
STRESSED BY. G.. o. p.
All the accomplishments Of the Hard
ing administrator will be completely
covered in congressional speeches and
literature. While the progress in the
solution Of domestic problems win be