Evening star., 1924-06-10
nd farm will experience revolu-


construction of the Great LAX kes-St.
Lawrence waterway, thereby opening
up new transportation outlet Tor
the agricultural products of very
extended area. Material benefit would
also be gained by the more adequate
improvement and utilization of divers
interior waterways, though here, as
elsewhere, these improvements should
be carefully limited to such as are
capable of profitable development.
Now. as always, pork barrel appro-
priations should be sedulously
avoided.
Labor Benefited.
A readjustment of freight rates
and consolidation of existing agen-
cies OF transportation afford promise
of aid.
President Harding and his advisers
labcred necessarily for the abolition
of long hours and the seven-day week
In the steel industry and other trades.
He called industrial and labor leaders
into conference. Almost on the very
day of his death his efforts were
crowned with success, and happy in
deed would he have been If he could
have witnessed the complete accom-
plishment of his hopes.
Labor has been especially bene-
flied by the restrictive immigration
law. This Republican administration
brought the country out of the depths
of depression. The great mass of
employees find their chiefest benefit
in steady employment and those
prosperous times which make high
wages possible.
Congress has voted to submit
constitutional amendment giving ade-
quate authority to legislate against
the employment of child labor. A
bill for the continuance of plans for
the rehabilitation of workers dis
abled in industry, an effort which has
met with very great success. has re-
no nf
SentatiVeS. The wellbeing OF labor
the happiness of millions of work ers
are ineXtricably interviewer with the
prosperity of the people. No separate
by those who toll or by those who
employ. The country's prosperity is
the prosperity of each and of all.
Public Economy Commended.
Among the pending issues of the
day economy in public expenditures
and reduction of taxation must as
sumo the utmost Importance. The
FEDERAL government, states and COM
munftfeS have been engaging in a
riot OF lavish expenditure, attended
by mounting indebtedness. The bur-
den of greatly increased taxation
must shackle enterprise and diminish
employment. 1t adds almost crush
ing weight to the cost of living and
closes the doors of opportunity. Ex-
cessive public expenditures create a
fatal example. stimulating prodigal-
fty and waste among all the people
in every form of activity. Public
economy promotes individual initia-
tive and prevents that reliance upon
paternalistic government which weak
ems the morale of any people and
brings with it the depressing rule of
bureaucracy.
AS an illustration of present con-
ditions, the per capita expenses of
the United States government in the
nf in
the year of the peak of expenses,
they were s173.54; and for the last
year they were s33.44, more than
| fourfold those of 1910. So phenome-
tention of every patriotic citizen. 1t
is not at all probable that any rates
will be increased or new taxes i'm
posed, but the recent revenue law is
not the last word.
To secure these most desirable OBJ
Jects of economy an active campaign
of education must be conducted SINH
lar to that in the free-silver contest
of 1895. There are certain persistent
fallacies which must be dispelled
One of them results in thoughtless-
ness or Indifference to the evils of
swollen taxation. Another is that
the final burden of public levies rests
upon those who first make payments
tn general tendency of all taxation
is to diffuse itself upon all con-
sumers, whether taxpayers or not,
with considerable additions as the
burden is passed along.
High Surtaxes AnsaiIed.
Still another fallacy is a prevalent
opinion that excessive surtaxes are
desirable and result in larger reve-
nue.. That excessive rates are not
helpful under ordinary circumstances
can readily be demonstrated, but this
is startlingly true so long as invest
sy, %
possible. AS a proof of the futility
of these high rates. it is to be noted
that in 1916, when the total surtaxes
were s121,soo,0oo and the highest
rate 13 per cent. ss1, 100000 of these
taxes were collected from incomes in
excess Of 100000; but in 1921. when
surtax collections were SAIL, 800. 900,
over three times as great, under
maximum rate of 65 per cent, the
collections from incomes of $500, 900
more than in 1916, or ss4,700, 900. No
one here will advocate a system
which would relieve wealth from
paying it's proper share. but careful
the present rates, entirely justifi-
able in time of war, but not in time
of peace.
The demagogue may say to the un-
rich,'' and then in a soft aside say to
the great capitalist, How excellent
an avenue Of escape we are providing
for you" The indirect effect of high
surtaxes in Withholding funds from
such investments as would quicken
industrial expansion is even more Sc
rious than the diminishing revenue
Present problems of revenue and ex-
penditure are so commanding in i'm
portance as to call into action the
highest sentiments of patriotism, for
economy in expenditures and a ra-
tional fiscal system are alike essen
tial for the prosperity and for the
happiness Of the people.
Conservation OF Resources Urged.
The federal reserve system. which
serves as bulwark in the financial
life of the nation and was so helpful
during the war should be left alone:
1t should be free from the touch of
the political spokesman, and all its
operations should be managed for the
accomplishment OF the excellent pur-
poses for which it was intended.
The Republican party stands now.
as always, firmly for law enforce
ment. Laws are not to be observed
merely by those who favored their
enactme ent. but by every one in this
broad land. Disregard Of existing
enactments breeds disrespect and dis
order and even tends to anarchy.
Furthermore, hasty changes in exist
ing laws or regulations cannot be
approved. If that we're the case, all
our poliCies Woulu De IKE tHe sniIt-
ing sands of the sea, which are scat
tered by wind and wave.
The frightful crimes of lynch law
have shown some decrease in recent
years, but it is for us to make every
effort to remove this disgraceful blot
upon our civilization.
The re is absolute necessity for an
intelligent policy Of conservation Of
our natural resources for the preven-
tion. of waste and Of the even more
dangerous evils Of monopoly. Let US
have no lack Of vision for the future.