The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1941-10-09
CAPITOL
-NeWC
BY Representative Harold Knutson
Of Minnesota
Deportation Recommended

General approval greeted the
recommendation Of the special ex-
aminer named by the Department
of Justice to study the case of
Harry Bridges, Pacific Coast labor
leader, that he be deported to Aus
tralia, his native land, for subver-
sive activities. Bridges came to
this country in 1920, since which
time he has devoted himself to
fomenting strikes and riots in the
shipping industry. The basis for
the recommendation is lSat he
man is an active Communist who
advocates the overthrow of our
government by force.
Ordinarily most people would OPP
pose deportation because of politi-
cal beliefs but the case of Harry
Bridges is unusual. From the time
when he first came to this country
he has been disturbing influence
and his activities have resulted in
the loss of millions of dollars in
wages by labor and possibly that
much more by American Maritime
interests.
For twenty years or more we
have been trying to build up an
American Merchant Marine that
would be commensurate with our
needs and position. In that time
Congress has appropriated several
billion dollars in the form of sub
sides to promote American ship
ping. Bridges has done everything
within his power to make these
efforts abortive.
Personally, I will not be able to
bring myself to believe that
Bridges deportation will become an
accomplished fact until he has been
placed aboard ship as there are a
number of very powerful influences
in the government who will help
him to remain in this country.
Why Help Russia?
Late news reports from Russia
indicate an early collapse of her
military machine which means
that Germany will fall heir to ire
mendous quantities of war material
of all kinds. That being the sit
uation, it would seem worse than
folly to send to that country Amer
lean war material that will fur
Their increase the loot that will
fall into German hands, later to
be used against those whom we
would help.
DO Not Be Misled
Frequently we read in the press
that American owned ships" have
been torpedoed and sunk. It may
be true that such ships are owned
by Americans but all of them
were sailing under the Panaman-
ian flag. They were given Pan
amanian registry for two reasons.
First-to enable the owners to get
around the Neutrality Act which
prohibits American shipping enter
ing belligerent waters. Second-it
permitted the owners to man such
ships with Panamanian sailors
who work for a fraction of what
American sailors are paid. There
is all the difference in the world
between an American owned boat
flying foreign flag and an Amer
lean boat flying the American flag.
Surely, we are not going to take
it upon ourselves to protect the
shipping Of all foreign countries.
If we do that we will need a Navy
as large as all the Navies in the
world combined.
A Myth Exploded
1t has long been popular belief
among Americans that our taxes
are not nearly as heavy as they
are in Great Britain, who is enter
ing upon her third year Of war.
Now comes the United States
Chamber Of Commerce and tells us
that Britain no longer carries the
heavier tax load. The last tax bill
passed by Congress has changed
the picture and now Uncle Sam
takes John Bulls place as the
heaviest taxpayer. This is the pic
ture for the present fiscal year:
Total American tax collections
Federal, state and local-22.5 bill
Ions, or approximately rs per cent
Of our estimated national income.
Total United Kingdom tax collec-
tions-including also the local tax
es-will be about 10 billions or