, 1925-01-05
The Great Opportunity

The United States has entered upon the year
]. 1925 with the brightest prospects of any nation
in the world. We have seen wonderful develop
ment in this country in the past fifty years., but
this has all been preparatory TO even greater
' growth and greater wonders TO be performed IN
future years.
The legislatures of the several states Will be
in session ins very brief time and the new con
gress will come into office. The men and women
who comprise these bodies should thoroughly rec
ognize the responsibility which they have as
sumed as the representatives of Il hundred and
ten million people. First of all, every lawmaker
should understand that he is a representative
of all the people and not merely Of some special
class, bloc, group or other division of citizens.
Important legislation affecting the growth and
development of every basic industry in the Unit
ed States will be presented to state and national
lawmahtng bodies. Policies regarding the future
of radio will be up for consideration. Public util-
tiles which are rendering local and interstate
business in supplying a growing demand for
their service on farms and in smaller towns will
be considered. Railroad legislation is perennial.
Various measures affecting the insurance bust
ness offer a prolific field for experimenting. Min
ing, lumber and oil are three great primary in
dustries that have been special targets for leg
~islative attention. Many other industries might
be added to the list. Legislative activity in the
past has been largely directed against those in
dustries which employ the greatest number of
workmen pay out the most in wages and taxes
and keep the business of this nation going.
Legislative procedure of this character should
Ne reversed. Legislators should awaken to the
iact that operating industries and business and
prcsperous farmers, fill the dinner buckets and
'avngs banks of the nation. Lawmakers should
lMy themselves on policies reducing taxation,
both national and state. They should study meth
-ols Tor equalizing the tax burden. rather than
adopting tax measures which fill the public
treasures by special taxation on special
branches of business or industry. They should
consider measures which will help enlarge the
inark@ Tor our manufactured and agricultural
:, produce. There are hundreds of constructive
b neasufes On which they can work which will be
Of oeneht 20 all the people. There is absolutely
70 eNcue OF advocating or supporting destruc-
i've meahUNs which discourage or %unsettle bust
ness ana. prevent investments of capital, to the
detrlment II Ae whole nation.
Inc natlolA election decided in November was
Il WONDERFUL lSelation of the ability of the Amer
icah people " terminate between sound and
unsound doctrine md better still TO decide
treat issues allow The line of principle instead
OF FOLLOWING persUal leadership. Political lead
ers IN state and national affairs should never
forget that out OF over me hundred million peo-
pie, less than four Per ont voted red and radi-
cal tickets. The aggreation .of big noise agita-
lots was met by the silent ballots of men and
women IN the homes AM work shops who base
their political action upon reading and thinking.
Political parties in power in the nation and
IN the lorty-elght states Should study that cleo
ton and remember that demands for conserva-
tive policies, reduction of taN hurdens and mini.
MIXING the volume of freak legulation came from
every state and that there is no escape from re.
sponsibility for any political party or individual
for failure to heed the mandate Of lie American
people on these vital issues.
Get the constructive viewpoint Nr. Iawmaker.
Realize that your duty TO your state and nation
is greater than your duty to any political con.
You have the opportunity OF a lifetime
TO help carry the United States forward as the
greatest nation jim the world. Measure up 10 your
position instead of falling below what your fell
ow countrymen expect, or be prepared to accept
he sternest rebukes from the plain citizens OF
he country.