The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1937-06-24

THE TRAINERS OF OUR FEDERAL
constitution did remarkably fine piece of
work, even those who would change the
document are forced to admit, but both they
and the state constitution writers We're
guilty of some slipups, notable one being
the lack of suitable machinery to take mat
tiers for the reform of legislative bodies out
of the legislators hands when their personal
economic interests are involved.
We can defeat congressman, senator
or member of the state legislature if he fails
to vote for our interests but some matters
never come to vote that nevertheless need
attention. And electing a new man to
champion one cause when there are many
other matters involved in an election isn't
easy, and there is no assurance that the new
man won't fall into the same way of thinking
once his economic interests are involved
A case in point which has received some
publicity lately is the fact that members of
congress pay no income tax on their $4,000
salary Neither do their clerks and secre-
taries, who are usually relatives or political
liabilities. Not only are they exempt from
the federal income tax for which they are
responsible but from state income taxes as
well. Now while they are inquiring into how
some of the rich fellows discover loopholes
in their handicraft, they might open new
source of taxes to state and federal govern
penditures they so readily authorize.
Another thing we don't think the pub
lie would vote for, if the opportunity was af-
forded to vote, is the 20 cents per mile for
travelling expenses paid to United States
senators and congressman. Wonder how
long it would take an income tax collector
to get out here if we sent in a return in
which such generous allowance was made for
our travelling expenses.
Tn, cfofo no f0r
has been that the house and senate member
ships are too large and unwieldy, that econ
omy in time and effort would result if sub
stantial reductions were made. Leaving the
matter up to the legislators has resulted in
no such reduction, however:
AN ORDER BY THE CITY COUNCIL
printed elsewhere in this issue indicates that
traffic law violators are to feel the heavy
not as mere youngsters who should know
better but as potential wreckers of limb and
property.
Efforts to enforce driving laws, parking
ordinances and similar regulations are made
with some misgivings in country town
where friends and relatives are likely to be
involved and where customers from sur
rounding communities may be affected
This is unfortunate as enforcement is
an impersonal matter within the town and
no city worthy of the title fails to give visit
ors extra consideration when lack of know;
ledge of local regulations brings them before
the courts.
Regulation of traffic is even more i'm
portant to the occasional visitor than to the
resident whose familiarity with local condi-
tons causes him to be wary. Redwood Falls
will be better town for both the resident
and shopper when traffic laws are enforced.
SOMETIME AGO WE MENTIONED
completion of highway II, protection of
Ramsey park and a new postoffce as three
major detectives for Redwood Falls. Since
then friends have been generously adding to
the list. One wants more and better side
walks, another demands better support for
a ball team, third suggests the need of i'm
proved street lighting in residential dis
tricts. Others want junior college, Some
want to know why we forgot to mention the
need of factories, and for more homes. The
parking problem naturally popped up again.
We were advised of the need for better
water supply, for more cooperation among
business men, for more street signs.
We confess our list was inadequate.