The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1941-01-30
CAPITOL
.-Ne2LS
BY Harold Knutson
Moving Fast
BY Harold Knutson

Moving Fast
Events in Washington are moving
so rapidly that it is almost impos-
sible to keep up with them. The
week opened with the inauguration
that was witnessed by the usual
large crowd Of visitors from out
side. Unlike the preceding Roose-
welt inaugurations, it was bright,
clear sunshiny day but cold north
wind made extra wraps advisable.
AS usual the ceremonies were held
at the east entrance of the Capitol
and the oath administered by Chief
Justice Hughes. The ceremonies
were brief. Mr.. Roosevelt's address
was quite general in character and
unlike his message to Congress and
his last fireside chat, which were
considered quite war-like. He call
ed upon the American people to
re-dedicate themselves to demo
cracy and free government, but
there were no specific illusions to
what our future foreign program
will be.
It is quite generally believed
in fact, it has been stated by Sec
retaries Stimson and Knox-that
the critical period for our country
will come within the next 80 days.
There are few who do not believe
that we will be in the war by the
first of June.
The latest rumor is that we win
seize Dakar, which is the point in
Africa nearest South America. AS
I get it, the purpose would be to
use Dakar as a point from which to
supply the Greeks and the British
North African Expeditionary
Forces with American war mater.
ials.
On Thursday Colonel Lndbergh
and General Hugh Johnson APP
peared before the House Foreign
Affairs Committee in opposition to
H. r. 1776. Both gave it as their
opinion that the United States Is
safe from invasion and that the
Lend-Lease bill is another step
away from democracy and a step
toward war. Lindbergh went even
further by declaring that Britain
cannot win, even with our help
unless, of course. Germany should
collapse from within.
General Johnson testified that
in order to bring about the COM
plete defeat of Germany, it would
be necessary to invade Continen-
tai Europe. He stated that Eng
land doesn't have enough men I'M
der arms to do that and that we
could not possibly send over
enough soldiers to make up the re-
quired number. It seems that
mechanical warfare requires much
more tonnage to keep going than
has been the case in preceding
wars.
Colonel Lindbergh stressed the
immediate necessity of a negotiat-
ed peace, backing it up with the
assertion that entrance of the
United States into the war would
be "the greatest disaster this coun-
try has ever passed through"
Certainly, our participation in the
last war was the worst thing that
has ever befallen our land. 1t was
responsible for the initiation and
deflation that resulted in bank and
business failures and the prostra-
ton of agriculture in all parts of
the country. That war was the
direct cause of the big depression
which doubled our national debt
and / am satisfied that if we get
into this war it will result in
national bankruptcy and perhaps
in the destruction of our form Of
government. We were deceived
back in 1917 and we are being de-
ceived now. Perhaps Barnum was
right when he said that "the Am
erican people like to be humbugg-
ed" If we go into this war with
our eyes open, and in the face of
the bitter lessons that we should
have learned since that fateful
day in April 1917, we will have
asked for whatever befalls as a
result.
To Boost Debt Limit
On Friday last there was intro
duced in the House an administra-
ton measure to raise the national
debt limit from 40 billion dollars
to IS billion dollars. The measure
has been referred to the Ways and
Means Committee, of which 1 am
a member, for consideration.
Secretary Morgenthau, several
months ago, mentioned the figure
of IS billion dollars as the probable
public debt by June 80 1912, and
said that an increase of IS or 20
billions in the limit would be
necessary. Many in Congress feel
that the debt limit should not be
raised more than 5 billions at one
time.
In order to raise the tremendous
sums that will be necessary to
carry on the defense program, it
will be necessary to widen the in
come tax base so as to take in
nearly all individuals and corpora
tions, even though such incomes
be comparatively small 1t will also
be necessary to raise the rates all
along the line. Before we get
through, it is quite likely that a
manufacturers sales tax will have
to be imposed.
There are certain features to
taxation that many overlook. All
pay taxes. Everything that we eat,
wear, and use carries a number Of
hidden taxes that are added to the
cost. It therefore follows that the
more we pay In taxes the less we
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