The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-11-07
MORE LEGISLATION
IS NOT NECESSARY
TREND OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT
is AGAINST ENACTMENT
OF MANY MORE LAWS

Washington, Nov. 7.-(Spe-
cial Correspondence - Reports
that come to Washington from
different sections of the country
Indicate a desire that congress
shall do little in the way of legis-
lation at the coming session. The
last congress enacted more con-
structive legislation than any
other in history, particularly leg
islation demanded by the farm
ing interests, and it is felt that
the industries of the country
should be given opportunity to
adjust themselves to present
conditions without being har-
raised by changes or threatened
changes.
The transportation problem is one
of the most important before the coun-
try today. There are some who would
make this a subject of legislation, but
the more general opinion is that no
legislation whatever is needed. The
only complaint is that regarding
freight rates, particularly on wheat.
There is no charge that the railroads
are earning an exorbitant profit. In
fact it is generally admitted that the
! profits are too small to invite money
into railroad investments. But though
there is no complaint that the rail-
roads r earning too much, farmers
want freight rates on wheat reduced
and rates on some other commodities
raised to make up for the reduction
on grain. All this, however, is a mat
ter of administration under the In
terstate Commerce Commission and
requires no legislation.
Taxation is another important sub
ject discussed by the public, and lead
ers in both the legislative and the adj
ministrative branch of the govern
ment are considering whether legis-
lation on the subject should be I'M
dertaken at the coming session. There
is no dispute as to the d~esirability of
reducing taxes. There is doubt, how
ever, whether it will be practicable
to make a reduction during the COM
ing session. tt is deemed certain by
many that bonus law will be enacted
and whatever the nature of the bonus
a material increase in public expendi-
lures will be necessary. If a bonus
law is to be enacted there will be an
increase rather than a decrease in
taxation. Those who believe that a
bonus law will be passed discourage
any effort to revise the tax laws. II
is admitted that under the present
, scale of government expenditures a
very material reduction could be made
: in income taxes both for large anC
small taxpayers. Secretary of the
, Treasury Mellon, who is opposed to q
l bonus law and who seems to assume
5 that no such law will be passed, j;
working on a revision downward o.
5 income tax rates.
= Members of congress who are O.
e the internationalist turn of mind whc
believe that the United States shoulC
"do something for Europe" will prob
ably have measures to present propos
ing something definite in the way o
extension of federal aid to nation
/ across the Atlantic. What thes,
measures will be is as yet unknown
: but there seems to be a general view
t that legislation of this kind shoul,
d not bepassed. It is felt that encour
e agement of the idea that Europe cal
!. look to America for support will re
e tard rather than hasten the return
of European industries to the path
e of peace.
d Although Democrats for purei
f partisan reasons are still attackin
y the Republican tariff law and viii
n perhaps urge changes in tariff rates
there is a general feeling throughoU
y the country that with practically a
5. industries operating at full capacit
S. and more jobs available than thel
K, are men to fill them, reopening
II tariff discussion would do much har
and could certainly do no good. 1t
felt that with prosperous condition
m in most lines of industry, the lie
n legislation or agitation for legisl
x tion, the better it will be for the cou
try.