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Show . 4 THE C r ONE YEAR OF REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION. President Harding and the Republicans have completed their first year of government administration. The Republican administration came into authority by virtue of an overwhelming vote of the American people November, 1920, registered primarily against the idea of foreign entanstate, fostered by the Democrats. There are glements and a super-worl- d some who rail against the present administration and predict a sweeping victory for the Democrats eight months hence. Those who understand best the "sweeping currents of our political life, are prone to believe that had Cox and the League of Nations idea prevailed, even a greater midterm reaction might now be in evidence and perhaps the United States vwould be arming to the teeth, anent the day it would have to throw off the onerous foreign yoke. It would be no great advantage to the Republicans to carry everything by storm again this fall. Strenuous opposition and some defeats would strengthen rather than impair the efficiency of the administration. Those among us who are capable of dismissing party prejudice and taking a sane view of things, must concede that President Harding has grown vastly strong in his hold upon public opinion. His presentation of the new armament limitation and contingent treaties to the senate on February 10, was a surpassingly strong and convincing argument for the future peace of the world and marked the real beginning of an international movement to do away with gigantic navies and land armies. So much has been said about this limitation conference that it appears a matter of simple perspicacity to let it alone for the present. Time alone will indicate to what extent it has served to modify and direct the imperial ambitions of former predatory nations. Different in verbage, different in intent and different in all other essentials from the idealistic Wilsonian conception of a world state, it has yet to bear fruit that will become edible and palatable to all nations alike. Suffice it to say that a senate, jealous of its administrative prerogatives, will apparently surround the four power treaty with a ring of reservations, that will leave no serious doubt in the minds of either Americans or foreigners as to where the United States stands regarding foreign entanglements and super-worl- d states. There has been but one change in the President's cabinet during the first year. Will Hays, stalwart Republican and guiding star of the campaign that sent Harding into the White House a winner by more. than a seven million majority, has elected to cast his lot with the great movie industry. His place will be filled by Dr. Hubert Work, of Colorado, who was promoted from the position of First Assistant Postmaster General. Dr. Work, like his successor, was for a long period of years connected with the National Republican Committee. Recently he was president of the American Medical Association, a position of great honor in this land of preeminent physicians and surgeons. It is presumed that during his year of office he has imbibed enough of the tenets of Will Hays to carry on successfully the great work in the postal department that has been inaugurated and which was so badly needed. During Hardings first year their was brought to life a new senatorial bloc. For the first time in history farmers got together and demanded certain legislation, chiefly adequate tariff protection. The "farm bloc has functioned nearly 100 per cent and while it has been the object of much calumny from other and older blocs, yet it has lived and thrived and as a result the man who tills the soil has had more than a cursorial hearing in the councils of the great at Washington. The "farm bloc has caused a special tariff to protect farm' products to be passed and extended, and also has brought to life a measure permitting and kindred associative selling and support of farm production. Perhaps the activities of the "farm bloc are also to be credited with the liberal extension of credits to farmers and livestock growers by the War Finance Corporation, an institution killed by the Democrats as a final act and revived by the Republicans for specifically domestic industrial purposes. Of the big things Sone by the present administration, little may be said, because all are familiar with them. Of the little things done nothing worthwhile may be said. But there remains some major legislation to be passed and approved before the country can settle down contentedly to regain normalcy. so-call- co-operat- ive ITIZEN ed The tariff is one big subject. It hits the man who mujJ the pocket book, where he feels it most. It means the future American industry along sane lines, or the granting of sp C to foreign manufacturers and international importers. jP of prosperity and affluence for home workers, businessmen, f politicians, or a return to the dark and gloomy days that' German challenge to the world to fight, when the country, adequate tariff rates, was being successfully flooded with But'the matter of a tariff is not one to be rushed. It is a with grave import to everyone at home, while at the same of world trade and exchange must be considered. The taijJj a sectional issue. It is at once the life of the southern cotfe the saviour of the great wheat and corn belt. It spells or calamity for the stockman, and without protection our- - ' magnificent manufacturing plants would simply close do methods and modern machinery have served to place all or nearly so as regards production peaks ; but living stand ee, from high to low as in former epochs. An American tariff a law to premit industries, mining, agriculture and livestoL survive, as it is a measure of protection to our superior can life. Turn back the balance wheel swing the pendtjns verse side give up to foreign manufacturers, agriculture a stock men the great American market, and then step asicted the inevitable insurrection. Go still farther and open wide;0r classes of immigrants yellow, black or white and you &t in 1 pletely Chinafied America within ten years. j w And the Republicans must pass a soldiers bonus bilL 'am ing obscure about this situation. The soldier boys demanct to the hands of the government for a service nobly rendered ai men, like thousands of others, have had to stand the pind Unlike others they did not have a chance to dig down irath treasure box during the war period. They fought and ofthou for a dollar a day. They battled not for money, but for log roll land. There are some who would add monumental shamed tin ing delirium days, by withholding a bonus form the soldit wo or any other time. But it is now a question impregnated tax honor, steeped in politics and a nightmare to Washingtonimm Hence it will be passed and most likely an indirect tax uvondi foot the bill. Three million soldier bovs will benefit. Ttclasj dier boys means at least ten million votes, counting relatf friends. i cqi Finally the administration has evolved a scheme tor pn debts. Here again is a question that is most tanglesomejude eign debtors do not want to pay. The foreign loans by ds a: allies during the war were a direct tax on the American Vera$ they have had to paf many millions in interest charges thppe have failed to liquidate, to protect Liberty loan bonds. b:es h tions fail to pay either principal or interest Americans will srme the foreign loan debts in full. Under these circlin.:-lencof certain foreign potentates and newspapers, tof rather cold and calculating ingratitude of foreign financit rather irritating to American sensibilities. Altruism, ldjndre run its full course in American international affairs. stribt . . 9 i WHO PAYS THE INCOME TAX?f suga t f for If the holders of approximately $30,000,000 in taxfjUg.ar municifnieric the past few years by federal, state, county and were not above the common law of the land, they would fteiide exchequer of the nation variously estimated at from six f millions annually. This princely amount would go a lposs the tax load of the nation. It might even provide for a s'i an j concrete example of appreciation and gratitude for a niiilabor performed, which the people owe to their former kliaki which it now appears will be saddled upon the man rft the st of tangible assets. stfuneric Aside from those who accumulate twilight-zon- e some others rightfully or wrongfully exempt from in two city and county employees and officials do not pay ineflirmer |