The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-01-17
EXTRA SESSION OF
CONGRESS LIKELY
FAILURE OF PARTY SYSTEM TO
FUNCTION BRINGS ABOUT
LEGISLATIVE TANGLE
TAX REDUCTION, MAYBE
MANY BILLS INTRODUCED BY
CONCRESSMEN; SOME GOOD;
OTHERS NOT so GOOD

Washington, Jan. let is quite
likely that an extra session of Con-
gress will be necessary. Failure OF
the party system to function prop
erly has brought about legislative
tangle of such proportions that an
early solution is difficult. For po-
litical effect, it is highly desirable
that attention of the voters shall be
focused upon the activities of Con-
gress and the Administration as
Judgments will be passed at the
polls this fall. 1t is claimed in many
quarters. that the demoralized con-
dition Of the national legislative as
sembly is due to the neglect of the
average citizen who protests loudly
but seldom takes the time to carry his
message to the ballot box. Statistical
studies from nonpartisan sources
show that many successful candidates
received only small percentage of
the registered vote. Leaders of ma
jor parties are deeply concerned at
this indifference because of it's ulti-
mate effect on party systems.
The decision Of the House COM
mittee on Ways and Means to give
preference to tax revision does not
mean that the bonus is now dead
issue. 1t is believed that the tax bill
will be reported to the House by Feb
ruary II and the debate will be linn
tied. Proponents of the measure an
ticipate strong opposition on the floor
1rrloox o4E< 10 H. IL l. i
the bill. The Democrats have draft
ed their views on tax revision. Many
features of the Mellon plan have
their approval but they insist that
surtaxes shall be fixed at 80 1-3 per
cent instead of 25 per cent.
The general idea of readjusting
downward normal rates and surtax
rates in many instances have their
Endorsement. The minority controls
a heavy vote and the majority must
give consideration to their demands.
The Democrats are stressing the
scheme of making the rich man pay
and give more relief to the small tax
payer. Furthermore, they believe
that all nuisance taxes, instead of
two singled out by Mr.. Mellon, should
be removed.
The election of Senator Smith, of
South Carolina, as chairman of the
Senate Interstate Commerce COM
mittee, is unusual, in that it is the
first time that a minority member
has served as chairman of an inn
portant committee in Congress sup
posedly controlled by the majority.
In reality, it was due to Senator La
Follete's DETECTION from the Repub-
lican ranks when the majority failed
to heed his demands. The situation
is embarrassing to the Democrats who
voted solidly for the successful can
dldate purely as party proposition
and not from any desire for his cleo
ton. Measures initiated by the new
chairman will be carefully scrutin-
lied by the committee, which is con-
trolled by Republicans. This form of
guerilla warefare among politicians
is damaging, as the collective respon-
sibility of parties is lessened.
The discovery has been made by
the Census Bureau that the gross
debt of the National Government and
OF the states, counties, cities and all
other civil divisions, amounted to
S32,786,715,000 in 1922, an increase
of 381 per cent over 1912. The of
fetal data furnished the startling fact
that the per capita gross debt in
creased from 5000 in 1912 to
$3O1.56 in 1922. The debt of state
governments increased It's per cent
and counties 268 per cent, and for ali
other civil divisions an increase of
149 per cent. 1t is likewise true that
the gross debt Of the National Gov
eminent increased from $2,916,2O5,-
900 in 1913, to $22,525, 773,O 900 in
1928, or 672 per cent. The annual
interest on the gross debt outstand-
ing, S32,786,715,00O, computed at
the rate of per cent, would amount
to $1,311,468,600, or $12.O6 per
capita.
Col. Thomas F. Miller, Alien Prop
erty Custodian, has recommended to
the President that legislation be en-
acted to finance federal corporation
for the purpose of establishing better
trade relations between this country
and the former enemy powers. This
suggestion is of Importance because
of the agitation among certain agri-
cultural groups for a government
subsidy to promote the sale of their
particular products in Germany. The
custodian has $181 100000 in cash
realized through the sale of enemy
property which is now idle and un.
available for useful purposes. Col
onel Miller believes that it could be
used so proitably in the restoration
of trade relations with our former
enemies, that all approved American
claims against Germany could be
paid out of the surplus, and the orig
inal funds eventually returned to
their rightful alien owners intact,
thus avoiding any confiscation of en-
envy property.
Mr.. Tillman, of Arkansas, asked
Congress for authority to provide for
the purchase and sale of farm prod
ucts by organizing 1.-THE Farmers
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