Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-01-10

publican party for 1921 has been almost,
but not quite, as bad as the legislative
record. It is saved from unqualified con
demnation by the calling Of the con
ference on the Limitation Of Armaments
and by upholding the foreign policies of
the Democratic administration whenever
it has been compelled TO act in a specific
case.
On the other side It is a record Of bad
appointments, Of the notification of the
principles Of the civil service, Of the
discrimination against ex-seryicc men In
the matter of appointments of catering
to special privilege, of attempting mega
lively to influence legislation and Of re-
actionaryism in all It's most Objectionable
forms.
So much for retrospect.
The regular session of the Sixty seventh
Congress has just begun, and it can
truly be said that the same reactionary
leadership which dominates the regular
session as it dominated the special
session gives no indication that it in
tends to do any better or wishes 10 DO
any better in 1922.
The Senate Finance Committee IS hold
ing hearings on the tariff bill, which
the House passed at a special session I'm
such unsatisfactory shape that ii will
have to be redrafted in its entirety.
President Harding is asking for sole
authority for the executive to determine
the tariff rates as conditions may re
quire, thus admitting the inability of
his party to frame a satisfactory traif.
If the Democrats in Congress were
inspired only by a desire to make poll
teal capital for their party in the en-
actment OF a tariff bill they would give
President Harding the authority he asks
and also approve the American valuation
clause contained in the act under which
no importer will know what duty he has
to pay and will frequently be paying a
duty on a duty. But the Democratic
leaders will continue to offer construct
i've amendments with view Of making
all legislation Of benefit 10 the people.
The so-called railroad funding bill to
provide another $500 900 900 for the rail
roads has been sent to the scr2p-h heap.
but the big funding bill--the war debt
funding bill, which in its original form
gave the Secretary Of the Treasury the
power to make any arrangement he
pleased in the funding OF the S11000,000
600 Of Indebtedness. is still to be dealt
with. The sinister character Of this
bill In its original form aroused general
suspicion and apprehension and it is GER
tain that the Democrats will undertake
to invest it with every safeguard for the
financial interest Of the nation and not
permit it to become a mere instrument
for the benefit of international bankers.
1t IS understood that President Hard
ing will soon send to the Congress a
plea for a ship subsidy in connection
with the American merchant marine
which is certain to arouse acrimonious
debate. a ship subsidy at a time when
foreign commerce is constantly declin-
ing is another Republican anomaly.
1t is proposed also to reopen the whole
question of internal taxation. which can
have only for its purpose the further
relief Of the multi-millionaire and profit
eering classes by further reduction in
the maximum surtaxes and result in fur
Their confusion and uncertainty In the
business world.
The appropriations bills win be fea-
ture Of the regular session and in a way
will be a test of the budget system; al
least as it is administered under Gen
eral Dawes. Heretofore the Generals
recommendations have not had very re-