The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-05-01
initiative which shameless waste

initiative which shameless waste
has all but destroyed.
One of the statements made by
Senator Borah was the fact that
legislators and politicians under
estimate the sincerity, capacity and
the willingness of the voters to do
great things and make great sacri-
fees for their country"
A warning against the gradual en-
croachment of the federal govern
ment in business and private life of
citizens was expressed. The Senator
predicted that within thirty years, at
the present rate, 'tthere will be an
officer for every ten persons in the
Republic. Every conceivable activity
of mind and body will be under the
direction and surveillance of a bur-
eau. Inspectors and spies will leer
upon the citizen from every street
and corner and accompany him hour
ly in his daily avocation. Taxes will
be hundred dollars per capita"
AS the Senator describes the stu
alton, sit is time to take stock"
The time of the Senate mas been
taken up with debate on the Tax
bill. Democratic leaders claim that
they have sufficient funds to put
over the Democratic tax program
which is marked departure from the
majority measure. The Democratic
leaders have attacked the Mellon plan,
which is advocated by the majority of
members of the Senate Finance COM
mittee, and offer an income tax plan
fn,. IOEunr. rsofnS on onrcvooo1
and higher surtaxes, and suggest a
modification of the corporation taxes.
The question of revenue and fed
eral expenditures is claiming the at
tention of the Administration. There
are many bills calling for large out
lays of funds from the public Treas
ury now pending in the Senate and
House. 1t is said that many of the
measures are proposed purely for po-
litical effect during campaign year.
The feeling exists that Congress is
quite willing to enact legislation by
which it can benefit politically ano
pass the burden of the responsibility
to the Executive Department. For in
stance, it is said that the Kelly-Edge
bill to increase the salaries of postal
employees will pass both Houses by a
comfortable majority, giving large in
creases in salaries to approximately
$4,000 postal employees. According
to the report of the subcommittee,
the bill will cover only salary raises
and has no provision for raising the
revenue to meet the additional ex-
pense estimated at from $73,OOO,0OO
to $100,000,000 annually.
The suggestion has been made by
those interested in this legislation
that the Postmaster General must
devise ways and means of meeting
the financial obligation by increasing
postal rates. The Administration is
obviously unwilling to accept the
blame for increasing the cost of ser
vice to the millions using the mails
because of a measure which would
react to the benefit of the legislative
branch. Mr.. New says if the money
required is taken from the Treasury
tax reduction will be impossible.
Marked opposition is expected by
House leaders to the McNary-Haugen
Farm Relief bill now pending on the
House calendar. The bill, which was
reported from the committee few
days ago, calls for the establishment
of $200,000,O00 corporation capital
ization with federal funds, intended
to promote the sale of surplus farm
products overseas. Under the terms
of the bill corporations could borrow
one billion dollars from private in
situations or organizations in order
that prices of agricultural products
could be stabilized to the extent
that they would have the same ratio
for four hundred basic commodities
as they enjoyed during the ten years
proceeding the war. The so-called
farm bloc is in agreement on the
measure and will press for it's enact
ment at an early date. However, leg
islators in the East declare that it is
impracticable and paternalistic and
that they will oppose it on these
grounds.