Milford chronicle., 1926-08-27

tions, but the tendency is to increase
the authorizations for expenses, es-
pecially if groups of Congressman
feel this policy will bring them polit-
ical advantages.
With the annual report of the
Budget Bureau for 1926 showing Il
surplus at the end of the last flscaI
year amounting to more than $37S,-
100000 it was anticipated at the time
that a general tax reduction could be
planned. However, it now appears
that there will be no marked depar-
lures in the general tax program,
but occasionally changes will be
made on the rates applying to small
incomes. Both parties would, un-
doubtedly, sanction further reduc-
tions in the rates of this class of tax
payers because of the approaching
presidential elections, when FederaI
taxes form an important item in vote
getting campaigns. There is a dis
position on the part of the Treasury
Department to maintain the present
tax rates and utilize the surplus w
pay off the public debt which has
reached imposing proportions in re-
cent years.
Announcement that Lincoln Am
drews, Assistant Secretary Of the
Treasury in charge of Prohibition
intends to remain on the job as the
"Dry Gar" has caused some sur
prise. Sometime ago Andrews stated
that he would resign in event his
field forces failed to shut off the
! large diversions of industrial alco-
hol to bootleggers. Apparently, Cen
eral Andrews feels that his recent
negotiations with the British in re-
gard to cooperation in the preven-
ton of liquor smuggling would bring
the desired results even though ne
had not succeeded in drying up the
alcohol leaks"
The Prohibition Unit will ask leg
islation in the next session of Con-
gress calling for reorganization or
the Prohibition and Customs Divis-
ion with the view to increasing the
efficiency of Federal enforcement. It
is generally predicted that the pro-
hibition issue will rank with the pri-
mary expenditures investigation
scandal at the winter session of Con-
gress.
There is no doubt that the farm re-
lief problem will find a sufficient per-
centage of space in the Congression-
al Record. 1t is said that admins
trative experts are working out
plans dealing with long term credits
for farmers hard pressed for funds.
The complaint has been made that
the farm co-operatiVes are not func-
tioning as fully as possible, because
they are hampered by lack of capi-
tai. The organized farmers are pro-
posing that the Federal government
help out in a financial way.
The rubber question which has
been dormant for some time is crop
ping up again with the introduction
of legislation designed to permit the
amendment to Philippine Land Laws
in regard to operation of rubber
plantations. The British now con-
troll the worlds rubber market. Sec
retary of Commerce, Hoover, and his
associates are doing their best to
free the rubber manufacturers from
this control by aiding rubber cultt-
vation in American Island possess
sions and in Latin American coun-
tries. 1t is bound to figure in dip1o-
matte exchanges in the near future.
The suggestion has been made
that the passport regulations should
be revised to prevent the influx OF
irresponsible American tourists to
Continental Europe. The continued
agitation against certain groups of
Americans is provoking some con-
Germ in diplomatic circles. Reports
received from consular agencies in
dicate that the conduct Of some AM
erican tourists, particularly in
France, is exasperating to the ma
tives. It is said that owing to the
I difference in exchange the American
tourists are more or less wealthy
during their stay and become bonn
bastic and otherwise fan the flames
of international hatreds. The re-
striction of passports would be del
icate matter, but it is one Of the
ways to shut-off "baiters" who are
largely responsible for the anti-Am-
erican sentiment abroad. 1t is an
other problem for Congress.
@o@
SUNSET MUSINGS