Evening star., 1934-06-13

and numbering defenseless persons
and terrorizing them by kidnapings
and by other forms of torture which
cannot be tolerated. The Congress
has proceeded on the theory that the
exercise Of all constitutional power,
both State and national. is required
for the suppression Of outlawry, which
of late years has disgraced our civil
ization and which threatens the
safety Of persons and property.
From the days when the United
States acquired the Philippine Islands
we have been pledged to their inde-
pendence. Our policy toward the
Philippine people has been liberal and
generous. Yet we recognize their
right to self-government. During this
session, Congress has passed an act
which looks to the complete separa-
ton from the United States of the
Philippine Islands on terms and con-
ditions to be approved by the Philip
pine people or their representatives
While some who have business inter-
ests in the islands and others for
various reasons believe that our con-
troll there should continue Indefinitely,
the consensus Of opinion among leg
islators is to the effect that actual
freedom should be accorded just as
soon as due regard for the mutual
interest of the two peoples concerned
permits; and this is the principle
that has governed Congress in the
passage Of the legislation.
The Revenue Act Of 1888.
Another important accomplishment
of the session is found in the So
called revenue act of 1885, removing
defects shown by experience in our
system for the imposition and collec-
ton of income. excise and other
taxes. 1t is estimated that the new
law will add to the national revenue
approximately $500, 100000. There
are numerous taxes which Congress
would like to reduce or repeal. but
this cannot be done until expenditures
for relief and for other emergency
purposes may be diminished or dis
pensed with.
No controversy has provoked more
bitter or prolonged discussion than
the carriage of the airmails. Due to
evidence disclosing fraud and collu-
sion in the making of airmail con-
tracts. the President approved their
cancellation. The War Department
was ordered temporarily to carry the
airmail. New contracts have been
authorized and made, under which the
service will be improved and expanded,
while at the same time its costs to
the Government will be lessened.
Enormous salaries and speculative
gains have been eliminated-salaries
so great and out Of proportion to the
services performed that they became
a national scandal.
The Senate has ratified the treaty
between the United States and the
governments of pan-America giving
rights to women equal to those en-
loved by men under national law and
practice.
The bankruptcy laws have been
modified in two general and important
particulars. First, insolvent munich
palities and other separate taxing
units may institute proceedings In
Federal courts, with the consent of
the holders of one-third of their OBJ
legations, for the refunding Of their
debts, provided the plan for refund
ing meets with the approval Of the
holders Of two-thirds or more Of the
outstanding Indebtedness.
Second, a similar privilege has been
accorded corporations. Both meas
ures carefully safeguard the interest
of creditors by granting rights Of in
tervention, hearings and protest, and
by other provisions intended to make
the act applicable only in cases where
the interests of the general public will
not be detrimentally affected.
Certain Foreign Securities.
Perhaps no legislation during the
| session has provoked more discussion
in this country and abroad than that
forbidding the sale in the United
States of securities hereafter issued
by foreign governments while such
governments are in default in the
payment Of their war debts to the
Treasury. What effect this legislation
may have on international finance is