Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-02-23
New Issues for Old.

the soldiers bonus issues, are not to be
with us in the coming national CAM
paign. Even in the congressional cleo
tons, where the old wet and dry issue
and the payment of the bonus were rally
ing posts scant two or three years ago,
the contests are to turn on other issues.
Nevertheless there are other issues
which rise to trouble the souls OF aspir-
ants for congressional ofice-and even
the souls of presidential candidates.
Government spending is one OF these.
1t works both wayS-as any important
issue usually does. Government spend
ing is generally regarded as an asset OF
the party controlling the expenditures.
The Democrats, therefore, may be ex-
pected to extoll the spending of billions
of dollars by the Federal Government
during the three years of Roosevelt rule.
The Republicans, although they realize
that their course may be unpopular
among the millions upon whose heads
this free mamma has been falling, will
feel it incumbent upon them to de-
nounce this spending spree OF the ad-
ministration.
Another issue which raises its head
is taxation. The Democrats have until
now remained away as far as possible
from increased taxation. They did put
through at the last session, under the
demand of President Roosevelt, limited
tax revision law; kind OF "share-the-
wealth" act which was intended to Gig
deeply into large corporations and
wealthy individuals. 1t was estimated
to increase revenues by about s22o,ooo'-
900. And now the administration is ex-
pected to bring in another tax bill de-
signed to raise nearly $500 100000 IN
place of the loss of revenue caused by
the invalidation Of the A. A. A. and its
processing taxes. No one has yet been
advised Just what taxes are to be LEVIED
to raise this considerable sum. But
whatever the sources to be tapped, che
bill will raise a roar-the kind OF roar
that the Democrats are not anxious TO
hear.
This new tax law, the Republicans Will
claim is A mere drop in the bucket, when
the public debt mounts by billions OF
dollars each year, and with a deficit IN
nrospect for the fiscal year 1887 lar
higher than the deficit for the present
fiscal year. Wait, the Republicans WILL
saw. until after elections. If Roosevelt
is retained in power, see what the Demo-
Gratis will do to the people in the matter
of heavy taxation!
This is an issue which the Democrats
quite naturally do not like to contem-
Mate. They have two courses at least
in their efforts to combat it. The hrst
is to say that, through this increased
taxation the wealthy few are to be made
tn carry the burdens of the poor. the
second course, which they are ALREADY
adopting, is to insist that all these great
expenditures were needed to keep the
American people from starving. In THIS
connection, it would be interesting 70
NOW lust how many Of the billions OF
dollars which have been expended ana
are being expended, have gone to people
actually in danger of starving.
third issue, which the adminlstra-
ton has so far lodged, but which the
Republicans are pushing to the fore as
RAPIDLY as possible, is the Constitution
with its present limitations upon the
mower of the Federal Government. the
administration has been checked IN us
progress toward control of industry ana
agriculture by decisions of the Supreme
Court invalidating the N. r. A. and the
A. A, A, It has abandoned the N. r. AS
but 1t is about to launch new farm law
as a substitute for the A. A. A. WHICH
manv believe is AS unconstitutional as
the law now defunct.
Here are a trio-Government Speho-
ing, Government taxation and Govern
ment control of business and agriculture
three of a kind, all born OF the Eoose-
welt New Deal It may be hand to draw
tor it may not.