Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-06-01

last week, and on Ill IN xMMM yS
Friday the Rules
committee voted out closed rule for
its consideration on Wednesday Eyes
terday). The debate is to be limited
to four hours, confined to the bill
and under the rule no changes can
be made in the measure.
There has been some criticism OF
the Ways and Means committee for
having so long delayed action on the
Hendricks bill. The responsibility
must rest with DR.. Townsend. On
February II he appeared before the
Ways and Means committee and stated
he wanted to offer to H. R. 2. These
amendments he promised to present
to the committee the following day
February Is. The amendments de-
sired by DR.. Townsend were not given
to the committee until May ID, OF
three months later. merely mention
this to set the record straight.
Speaks to Small Business.
The Presidents address to the small
business conference was not very re-
assuring to those who want more re-
covery and less experimentation. Dur
ing his remarks he bluntly came out
for a continuation of government
spending. He took the position that
we must spend ourselves into pros
perity. Mr.. Roosevelt adroitly set up
Nf -, Job he
knocked down in his usual clever
manner He gave his audience les
son in economics that was both unique
and Illuminating. 1t seems that we
are unduly alarmed about our ma
tional debt, which is no debt at all
according to Mr.. Roosevelt's under
standing. Said he, Our national
debt, after all, is an internal debt
owed not only by the nation but to
the nation. If our children have to
pay interest on it they will pay in
tereSt to themselves. A reasonable
internal debt will not impoverish our
children" AS l understand Mr.
Roosevelt's language, debt is only a
debt when it is owed to foreigners
Would it be in order to ask Mr.. Roose-
welt to please explain some more?
In his entire address to the con-
ference the President ignored the
fundamental fact that excessive
spending must result in excessive tax
alton and excessive taxation discour-
ages expansion. 1t is largely through
expansion that we can hope to take
up the employment slack. Until oul
people get back to work we will con-
tinue to have low farm prices, unem-
ployment and everything that goes
with it.
Gasoline Alcohol Blend.
One day last week group of chem
lists representing the Chemical Foun-
dalton, and economic research organ
izations appeared before Senate sub
committee and urged that the one
cent Federal gasoline tax be lifted or
motor fuel containing a 10 percent
or more ethyl alcohol blend. The
group testified that 10 percent alco-
hol blend in gasoline would consume
the products of 100000 acres, in
crease gross farm income by $780,
100000, provide S600,O0O,00O yearly
in additional factory payrolls, and in
crease the nations income by S4,200,-
100000.
My readers will recall that 1 have
had a bill pending in the past sew
eral Congresses that would make il
unlawful to sell motor fuel in the
United States that did not contain al
least 10 percent alcohol manufactured
from agricultural products. Big oil
companies have been short-sighteC
enough to oppose this legislation, en-
tirely overlooking the fact that il
would restore the balance in agri-
culture caused by the introduction Of
the automobile and truck, which it is
estimated has destroyed the market
for about 30,000,000 acres of grair
and hay. In other words, the BLEND
of gasoline with alcohol would make
unnecessary all crop control and gov
eminent subsidies. Best of all, i
would restore the farmers buying
power, and that would solve the un.
employment problem. AS a matter
of fact, we cannot fully estimate the
benefits that would accrue from it
Some day public opinion is going t.
force action.
New Tax Bill.
At White House conference Wed.
nesday of last week President Roose.
welt assured the conferees that hi
would no longer stand in the way O.
limited tax revision. In making pub.
lie the results of the cnnferanne Sana