Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-12-05

program. AZ IIIct
time he also indi- III ~
Gated that there H.
would be no ma
terial increases in
taxes this winter.
This will be re- = 81 ES'aA lzsss1st
assuring to industry, which is now
operating on an exceedingly close
margin under the present tax set-up.
1 cannot help but feel that it is un-
fair to future generations to pass on
to them burdens that we have Gre
ated through our own folly. With
out expressing an opinion one way or
another as to the desirability of i'm
posing a sales tax, would like to
call attention to the fact that already
many states have sales tax, some of
which amount to as much as three
per cent Should a Federal sales
tax be added thereto, it would mean
a considerable increase in the cost
of living which would fall particu-
larly hard upon the poor.
With the mounting expenditures of
the government for this, that and the
other thing, we are going to be put
to it to find the required revenue.
The upper income tax brackets are
already burdensome so the demand
to soak the rich is "out". Perhaps
so million dollars could be raised
by lowering the exemptions in the
lower brackets but that sum would
be but drop in the bucket,
There has been introduced in the
Senate capital levy bill which would
force everyone owning property of
any description whatsoever, to loan"
to the government certain percent
age of the value thereof. The Ad-
ministration has set 100 billion dol
lars as the goal for our national in
come. 1t is now about 70 billion.
With constantly increasing taxes it
is doubtful if that figure can be at
tanned, desirable as it would be. AS
as matter of fact the tendency will
be in the other direction once we get
back to normal spending.
Famine in Europe.
Millions of Americans share the
anxiety expressed by former Presi-
dent Hoover, in recent address at an
eastern college, over the food short
age in conquered European countries.
There can be no doubt that suffer-
ing in such countries as Poland, Fin
land, Norway, Denmark, Holland,
France and Belgium-sevend emocra-
cieS-will become very acute with
the coming of cold weather, unless
assistance is given them from the
outside.
1t is not merely question of pro-
viding humanitarian relief of hunger
when the food supply falls to FAM
inc levels" Mr.. Hoover said, people
don't just lie down and die from
starvation. Rather, they fall easy
victims to disease, and plaques be-
gin to spread from country to coun-
try" The influenza epidemic dur
ing the first World war, Mr. Hoover
recalls, broke out in starving central
Europe and then carried suffering
and death to all continents.
All the countries enumerated have
substantial credits in this country that
could be used for the purchase of
foods, clothing and medicines. The
objection most often expressed
against extending such aid is that
all supplies would be seized by the
totalitarian peoples. That all de-
ponds.
During the great World war, Mr..
| Hoover OF fh1 80
tic relief organization that spent mil
lions upon millions for food, clothing
and medicines for the afflicted peo-
pies of Poland and Belgium. Both
| OF these countries were then occu-
pied by the Germans who were also
in need. Notwithstanding this, Mr..
Hoover states practically every dol
lars worth of supplies reached the
hands of those for whom it was in
tended. If it could be done then, why
not now? Of course, any relief plan
adopted would have to be so set up
as to prevent the diversion of sup
plies to other than the channels in
tended.
Insanity Rampant.
The reading of European news in
the daily press these days leaves one
cold, discouraged and sick at heart.
Never in all the recorded history of
mankind has there been such bru-
tally and utter disregard for the
rights of human beings. Cities are
being laid waste, marine tonnage is
sunk faster than it can be replaced,
and people are compelled to live like
sewer rats in bombproof shelters
where future pestflences are being
bred.
The repercussions of the war are
being felt here. For fear that the
storm might spread to this hemis-
phere we have embarked upon a
preparedness program that will call
for the expenditure of at least 20
billion dollars, which is equivalent
to about eight per cent of our total
national wealth. If the war keeps
on for any length of time and we
continue to register fever temporal