New-York tribune., 1922-12-03

prohibition laws" ~ the department
of Justice
Antitrust Law Dead Letter
slr. Untermysr said Mr. Daueherty
was "eonspicuously unfit" for his o.
fce and was appointed SOLELY on the
basis Of personal friendship and po-
iisieai service" for President Harding
"He had made virtual dead letter Of
the antitrust law" said Mr.. Inter.
'uyer. "The war fraud eases
have ended In q complete fzzle.'
Improper conduct in the General
Electric, New Haven Railroad, United
Gas and other cases also was charged
against the Attorney General by Mr
untermeyer. who in addition suggested
numerous legislative reforms. inciud'
inx amendment Of the Federal Reserve
act. protection Of the public against
fraudulent securities, regulation Of
stock and commodity exchanges
Federal licensing Of interstate corpora
tions. transfer OF antitrust prosecu.
tions 70 the Federal Trade Commission
and prohibition Of tax free securities:
Secretary Mellon was attacked By
Governor Blaine and Representative
Frcar for alleged failure 70 collect
taxes from wealthy corporations, and
Representative Frear urged an ihves.
feation and cleaning Of the Internal
Revenue Commissioners Office.
Secretary Mellon Criticized
Senator Brookhart. OF Iowa, attacked
the Federal Reserve system, which he
said Is controlled by the non-parti-
ean league OF Wall Street" Some
times. he said. Republicans we're in con-
troll. ard sometimes Democrats. He
also denounced the defation policy OF
1920, which, he said. was "a money
strike. ordered by Wall Street and
which hurt the farmers ten times more
than all labor strikes. The Federal
Reserve Board. he said, might well be
composed Of three farmers. two labor
crs, two little business men and one
big business man"
Representative Sinclair, Republican,
North Dakota. urged agricultural cred
its. but criticized the Administration
credit program and also the War FL
nance Corporation system OF making
loans TO farmers through bankers. Sec
rotary Mellon was criticized by Repre-
sentative Frear, Wisconsin, Republican,
who went over his controversy with me
Cabinet .oficial regarding taxation Of
corporations surplus profits. He said
Secretary Mellon was reported 70 be
worth $500 900 900. with an income OF
$4,000 day, and criticized him for
alleged failure TO tax rich corporations.
"The Office Of the Internal Revenue
Commissioner needs an investigation
and n cleaning out. and ! am willing to
furnish the evidence" said Representa-
tive Freer. adding that the chief So
licitor formerly was an usher in the
White House.
Attacks Machine Control
Abolition Of the Presidential Elec-
toral College was advocated by Senator
Norris. Republican. Nebraska. in o
speech % the conference on bringing
the government back 10 the people In
framing the Constitution Senator Nor
ris said "our forefatherS were cropping
In the dark, experimenting 70 some ex-
tent" and really had placed very little
mower directly in the hands OF the
people. He charged machine control
Of national political conventions, and
argued that the people should be al
lowed 70 choose nominees for President
as we'll as other Offices.
A third party, Senator Norris said,
was, "f0r practical results, an imposjl
ability" entailing great expense and
labor. while direct nomination Of Pres
identicl candidates would give the in
dependent voter the right to make his
choice regardless Of any party ma
chine.
"The people are losing their parti-
~ N~wvta ~Adtuo
that the independence Of the voter had
been demonstrated in the recent cleo
tion.
Speeches urging aid for. farmers
were made by Senators-electspgh " heelef
of Montana, and Frazier, of North Da.
kota. They said the farmers we're not
receiving the cost Of production and
were suffering from high freight rates
and car shortage. An Investigation OF
the car situation was advocated by Mr.
Wheeler.
Northwest Wants Results
Declaring that "the present Admin
istration is trying TO forestall any ac-
tion by the progressives and steal their
thunder on the question OF farmers
relief, Mr.. Wheeler said the Northwest
wanted results and was not particular
about the form Of credit received. He
added that Progressive Senators IN
Northwestern states had won in the
recent election because the people
thought we had stamina TO stand ur
and fight for what we thought right
Release of political prisoners" alsC
was advocated by Mr.. Wheeler, who de-
clared amid much applause that he was
for free speech and free assemblage.
Farm prices should be fixed and
stabilized, II was declared by Senator.
elect Frazier, who said both state and
Federal aid was needed by farmers. Re
ferrinc 10 Administration plans fol
farm credit, Mr. Frazier said that
lower money rates would not alone be
sufficient 20 aid farmers, but they ais,
must get better prices for their prod
ucts.
Something must be done TO help IN,
farmers" said Mr.. Frazier, cor the ma
ton will 90 broke as the farmers have
gone broke"
Direct primary nomination and d.
rect popular election Of all public Of
iciAls were recommended in resolutions
adopted by the conference late in ths
DAY. The resolutions recited that the
direct primary had met with "Opposi'
ton Of political bosses who represent
The special interests" and said the time
had come mot only TO extend and pro
teet the primary laws in the various
states, but 10 apply the direct primary
principle 70 the choice OF the Prosi'
dent and Vice President"
The resolutions also declared TO-
Immediate enactment Of a Fedora
corrupt practices act with q sufficient
supply Of teeth 20 permanently DIS.
pose Of 'Newberryism' in this country
The next meeting Of the progressive
bloc Is planned early in the regular
session Of Congress, with indication
OF It's first fight being waged agains
the Administration shipping bill.