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

Of the Ways and Means Committee. In
that capacity he virtually controls all COM
mittee assignments Of the Democratic mem
hers Of the House.
with TIE Democrats in control, Mr.. Car
ner. under ordinary circumstances would
h. Chairman Of the Ways and Means Com
mittee. next to the Speakership the most
highly priced position in the House ms
position, however, is sucn that II the next
House. which takes office March 4 next
should be Democratic Gas seems most pro-
babIe). Mr.. Garner will be elected Speak
er. an office second in power and influence
only to the Presidency Of the United
States.
50 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 - Ct
minority to bring about a repeal Of this
tax.
Believing in Il. in good conscience and
IS 4 matter az sound governmental policy,
Mr.. Garner opposed a repeal, although urg-
ing and working for "a reduction Of hiEh
and unreasonable rates which in his judg-
ment should be levied only in the case OK
great emergency"
The country as a whole approved the
action Of Congress in the retention Of the
inheritance tax as a 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 IL
tie az the American Tax Payers League
The League opened headquarters in
Washington and proceeded TO establish a
lobby. When persuasion failed 20 reach
members or Congress who did not share
the Leagues views. n campaign Of intimi-
dation was launched. prominent persons"
for the most part office-holders or office
seekers. were shipped into Washington by
the trainload TO appear before the Ways
and Means Committee, there 20 picture
the dire consequences which would result
n the Nation ~ a whole unless the per
nicious and cinfiscatory tax" we're repeal
ed. Notwithstanding the fact that not one
out Of ten II the advocates would he touch
ed by IL and not one out az a thousand cit
liens came within its terms.
Because he had the courage. BY his re-
~lentless questioning. 70 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. il is a vicious
organization which has procured funds from
some ignorant of its purposes. which il ~
expanding 10 defeat for reelection certain
members Of Congress who voted for the re-
tention Of the inheritance tax.
The American Tax Payers League IL
running against Mr. Garn,- n ~ his chief
opponent. Mr.. Sid Hardin Of Mission. an
estimabls gentleman. Is a candidate. But
he isn't really running. though doubtless he
thinks he is. He is 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. If he
does. The Caller will accept his denial. II
would be surprised If such we're the case.
The Tax League is too smart. Just a. il IL
too pernicious to do things openly and BY
directness. 1t is contrary TO its nature.
800 $500 &@F 1NN ~ l41AAM
But no one can deny that the American
Tax Payers League. supported by secret
contribution by unknown special inter-
ests from every quarter Of the United
States, is spending thousands upon thous-
ands Of dollars 70 defeat Mr.. Garner. No
one can deny that its paid emissaries are
now. and for months have been. quietly
working under cover" throughout Mr.. Car
ner's district. spreading despicable SANDER
and telling uncOurcfopahIa Itae
And all this despite the fact that the
American Tax Payers League probably
hasn't fifty members in the entire district.
The Caller apologies for having de-
voted 50 much space to such a disgusting
situation. IL hasn't the slightest doubt as
TO the result. Two years ago. out OF a total
vote Of approximately $4,000. Mr.. Gamers
majority over Mr.. Hardin was more than
ll.OOe, a ratio of better than two 20 one.
His majority this year will and should be
larger. IL should constitute n fitting and
complete answer Of his constituents 70 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 OF party
tenets or the national welfare irrespective
n party politics stands safe and secure
from the serpents of Islander or the minions
Of Misrepresentation.
To assume that the people OF the fiji
teenth district woald consider for a mo-
ment the substitution Of an individual q
inexperience and unknown capacity for n
statesman Of Mr.. Gamers recognized
standing, that they would deprive them
selves knowingly Of the tremendous asset
fhav poxxawU Il, Nr Gamers pwppripncP and
conceded ability. is 70 credit them with
an assinity and simplicity they do not pos
sess.