Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-26
Garner Fought for Protective
Tariffon FarmProdu cts,
Author of Tariff Bill Asserts

Of the WAYS and Means Committee In
that capacity he virtually controls All COM
mittee assignments Of the Democratic men,
bers Of the House.
with the Democrats in control, Mr.. Car
ner. under ordinary circumstances, would
n. Chairman OF the Ways and Means Com
mittee. next to the Speakership the most
highly priced position in the House. his
p~osition. however. Is such that IL the next
House. which takes office March 4 next,
should be Democratic Gas seems most pro-
bable). Mr.. Garner will be elected Speak
or. an office second in power and Influence
only to the Presidency Of the United
States.
So much for the setting. Now 70 pro-
coed with the circumstances
The Democratic party has always been
committed to the policy Of a reasonable
inheritance tax.
During the war. an inheritance tax levy
was written into a revenue measure
Several years ago widespread agitation
developed upon the part OF an organized
minority to bring about a repeal Of TINS
tax.
Believing in Il, in good conscience and
as a matter Of sound governmental policy.
Mr. Garner opposed a repeal. although urg-
ing and working for N reduction Of high
and unreasonable rates which in his judy
ment should be levied only in the case OF
great emergency"
The country as n whole approved the
action Of Congress in the retention OF the
inheritance tax as q part OF the Nations
organic law.
But special privilege" was not TO be
satisfied and there Immediately came into
being a mysterious organization. operating
under the high-sounding and misleading III
tie of the American Tax Payers League
The League opened headquarters in
Washington and proceeded TO establish n
lobby. When persuasion failed 70 reach
members OF Congress who did not share
the Leagues views. q campaign Of intimi-
dation was launched. prominent persons"
for the most part office-holders or office
seekers. were shipped into Washington by
the trainload 10 appear before the Ways
and Means Committee, there 70 picture
the dire consequences which would result
20 the Nation as a whole unless the per
nicious and cinfiscatory tax" were repeal
cd. Notwithstanding the fact that not one
out Of ten OF the advocates would be touch
GU ~ III aHA NV WAE "a ~ a. WGNA ~
izens came within its terms.
Because he had the courage. BY his re-
l~entless questioning. TO expose the whole
disgusting scheme. Mr.. Garner has been
marked for political slaughter by the So
called American Tax League.
What is the american Tax Payers
League? Well. no one knows absolutely
and for sure. In any event. II Is a vicious
organization which has procured funds from
some ignorant OF its purposes. which il u
eXpending TO defeat for reelection certain
members Of Congress who voted for the re-
tention or the inheritance tax.
The American Tax Payers League IL
running against FIR. Garn,- In j. his chief
opponent. Mr.. Sid Hardin OF Mission, an
estimable gentleman. is n candidate. But
he isn't really running. though doubtless he
thinks Re is. He Il merely a figure-head.
a stalking horse.
Mr.. Hardin will probably deny that the
American Tax Payers League has contri-
buted a dime 70 his campaign fund. III he
does. The Caller will accept his denial. IL
would be surprised IL such were the case.
The Tax League IL too smart. just m IL Ia
too pernicious 10 do things openly and by
directness. II is contrary 70 its nature,
its habits and. indeed, its capacity.
But no one can deny that the American
Tax Payers League. supported By secret
contributions by unknown special inter-
ests from every quarter Of the United
States, Is spending thousands upon thous-
ands Of dollars to defeat Mr.. Garner. No
one can deny that its paid emissaries are
now. and for months have been. quietly
working under cover" throughout Mr.. Gar
ner's district. spreading despicable SANDER
and telling unconscionable lies.
And all this despite the fact that the
~-@..a r. D
hasn't fifty members in the entire district.
The Caller apologies for having de-
voted 50 much space to such a disgusting
situation. II hasn't the slightest doubt a.
70 the result Two years ago. out or d total
vote Of approximately $4,000. Mr.. Gamers
majority over Mr.. Hardin was more taan
1000, a ratio Of better than two 70 one.
His majority this year will and should be
larger. IL should constitute a fitting and
complete answer Of his constituents "a this
sordid sort Of outside interference.
AS The Caller has had frequent occa-
sion to say In the past. John n. Garner
IS a national asset. He is an outstanding
national figure. His record of pubplic SER
vice, whether from the standpoint or party
tenets or the national welfare irrespective
OF party politics stands safe and secure
from the serpents Of SANDER or the minions
OF Misrepresentation.
To assume that the people OF the fif-
teenth district would consider for n mo-
ment the substitution of an individual Of
inexperience and unknown capacity for a
statesman Of Mr.. Gamers recognized
standing, that they would deprive them
selves knowingly Of the tremendous asset
they possess in Mr.. Gamers experience and
conceded ability. is to credit them with
an assinity and simplicity they do not pos
sess.