Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-08-03


frightening the -.
h ours for WPA
skilled workers was taken at the re-
quest of the Administration. In view
ing this situation it must not be
overlooked that WPA is relief meas
ure rather than a work measure, and
was set up to tide over those out of
work until times improve.
Congress has appropriated for re-
lief purposes during the current year
So $50 100000, which is about $3.50
for every minute since the dawn of
the Christian Era You can readily
appreciate that this situation cannot
continue indefinitely without bank
rupting ALL
"We must not overlook the fact
that there are many farmers who own
their farms and equipment, free from
debt, who work many more hours,
and yet net less than WPA workers.
Those who have substantial debts on
real estate and chattels are much
worse off and are rapidly being wiped
out. The farmer finds himself in this
plight largely due to high taxes and
the cost of things he must buy. He
must absorb the cost of shorter hours
and increased wages. Notwithstand-
ing these advantages to labor the
prices the farmer receives for his
products are constantly going down. 1
ask you, is he getting a square deal?
OF hn fr,1y
he to do so the world would die of
starvation.
eve will not help matters by pull
ing all down to the same level be-
cause then there will be no one left
to carry the burden. We are now
taxing the higher income brackets all
that they can pay Uncle Sam takes
1870 of the big incomes and most of
what is left over is taken by the
states and political subdivisions. It
is difficult problem any way that
we look at it.
"Of course, Congress wants to be
as generous as it can but it is a case
of where we have to cut the cloth
so as to get the most possible out
of it."
japanese Treaty Abrogated.
Late Wednesday evening of last
week our government abrogated it's
28-year old treaty of commerce and
navigation with Japan. Violation of
American interests in China is held
to have caused the action which will
meet with general approval among the
American people. Japan has been
carrying on in a high-handed and
ruthless manner in China for many
years. During that time they have
killed and insulted American citizens,
destroyed American property and
have shown disregard for the rights
of neutrals that is without parallel
in modern diplomacy. The only
criticism that can be made is that
we did not take such action two
years ago, when it became apparent
to all that Japan was engaged in a
real war in China, which she could
not have carried on had she been
barred from neutral markets. It is
possible that other neutrals will fol-
low suit. Under the provisions of the
treaty six months must elapse before
it terminates.
Medicine "NOt a Trade"
Under decision rendered last week
by the U. S. District Court of the
District of Columbia it was held that
the practice of medicine is mot a
trade" therefore, medical organiza-
tons and physicians do not come
within the purview of the antitrust
laws. The action of the lower court
had been anticipated. When the suit
was originally brought it was quite
generally believed that it was mere
ly case of playing politics.
Arch Free-Trader to Philippines.
Francis D. Sayre, Under Secretary
of State and high-priest of free-trade,
has been named American High
Commissioner to the Philippines. Mr.
Sayre, in his capacity as Under Sec
rotary of State, negotiated all the
trade agreements entered into by this
Administration. He does not believe
LII IL doS ACStIlCtlOIlS dllo LII iiAlil Vic
American farmer and workingman
did not have a friend. Mr.. Sayre is
very able gentleman and it may
be expected that as soon as he takes
over his new post he will open a
strong drive to secure further con-
cessions for Philippine products in
the American market.
A Break for Garner.
A chap named Lewis threw the
House Labor committee into turmoil
last Thursday when he denounced
Vice President Garner as 'labor-
batting, poker-playing whiskey-
drinking, evil old man" who was the
leader of a Congressional campaign
against labor. The Lewis attack
aroused a great deal of indignation on
Capitol Hill. Some intimated that it
had been inspired by the White House
in order to eliminate Garner from
the presidential race. l am not so
sure. After having served with Mr..
Garner in the House for Is years,
freely concede that he is the greatest
political strategist that l have ever
known II would not surprise me to