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Show THE CITIZEN maintain their own public utility properties? Such a proposal would be instantly rejected. Socialistic agitators are clever enough to so word their measures that by indirection they establish publicly-owne- d plants maintained by taxpayers, thus creating a condition that makes it impos-0l- e to develop competing private industries. In this manner is private industry just as surely driven out of the field as if a direct measure prohibited it from doing business. The whole proceeding is a mockery of free institutions in America under a government established for the protection and encouragement of its citizens, rather than a government limiting and restricting their activity and progress. ON TELLING EUROPE. r Europe must find, herself and not expect America to do it for 0r. Congressman' Theodore Burton, of Cleveland, in a recent address, declared: It is a grievous mistake to suppose that America has no interest in what is transpiring abroad. In ten years we have given $850,000,000 to the suffering of that continent. We have donated food to the starving, shelter to the outcast, medicine to he sick, and have lifted the heads of the heartbroken. In Tokio, the American ambassadors carriage can hardly move through the streets because of the ovation he gets as the representative of the nation that has done so much to alleviate Japanese suffering. It remains for Europe to find herself in a new disposition which and condemns war. That is telling them. Europe needs to be told, time and again she needs to be told. Europe must wake up and depend upon herself to find herself. Marion Star. speaks for peace and co-opeart- ion ON THE FENCE. A prominent Italian statesman is quoted as saying that Italy cannot pay her debt to the United States because the American protective tariff prevents payment in goods. We have heard that argument before. It was the main reliance of the cancellationists before our Debt Refunding Commission was formed and proceeded to make arrangements for repayment. Great Britain and Finland are finding it possible to pay in spite of our tariff, and other debtor nations are taking steps toward similar settlements. The trouble with some is that they are desperately seeking an excuse on which hang a repudiation of the obligation, and see the American tariff as the only straw to grasp. The fact is that our imports are increasing steadily despite the predictions of the enemies of protection. Furthermore, .Secretary Hoover has shown how immense invisible balances are constantly pouring into Europe from America. They are included in tourists expenditures, interest received on foreign investments in this country, freight on American exports in foreign ships, etc. There is no debtor European country but what is able to meet the extremely liberal terms which the United States is willing to offer. S islands. The ocean bottom at this point is therefore more than eleven and one-ha- lf miles below the summit of Mount Everest. The difference in the land heights in Europe is about 15,868 feet. . SEE AMERICA FIRST. An historical booklet entitled Boundaries, areas, geographic centers, and altitudes of the United States and of the several states, with a brief record of important changes in their territory, is off the Federal press and is known as Bulletin 689 of the Georlogical Survey. It was compiled by E. M. Douglas and he calls attention to the fact that we all should sKnow America First. We all know America, but we should see it, and the. glory of that phrase belongs to Fisher Harris, deceased, former secretary of the Salt Lake Commercial club, when he said: See Europe, if you will, but sec America first. This city secures the headquarters of the Western Tariff association, which organization was perfected at a meeting last October and held in Denver. The object of the association is to secure protection for everything raised and manufactured in the western states, and the most prominent men and representatives of producing concerns are represented and actively connected with the new organiaztion. The problem arising from increase in property, especially securities, has already received attention of Secretary tax-exem- pt Mellon, and corrective legislation will probably be recommended to Congress by President Coolidge. The National Industrial Conference Board shows that the country paid in taxes last year $7,061,000,000, against $2,11,000,000 ir. 1913, and $1,382,000,000 in 1903. Ratio of taxation to national income was 6.4 per cent in 1913, 12.1 per cent in 1919, 16.7 per cent in 1921, and 12.1 per cent in 1922. The tax bill last year was $64.63 per capita, against $17.07 in 1913. real estate is added to the When the bonds, the total amount of which is estimated at high as $30,000,-000,00the resulting increased tax burden on tax paying property and income is grossly unfair. Every one should pay an equal tax if sound government is to be maintained. tax-exem- pt tax-exem- pt 0, Officially, winter commences today, although we have felt it for the past three weeks, and while there has been no extreme frost, the fog has had a tendency to make one feel the chill more than the thermometer would indicate. We have had an ideal fall, the greater part of which was Indian summer, and as a result many people who generally go to warmer climes during the winter months delayed their trips. There is actually only two months of real winter confronting us, and there is every appearance that it will be much milder than past winters have been. Ice skating is at its best at present, and skiing will be had with the next big snow storm. Then outdoor winter sports will be in full blast. LAND ELEVATION. The maximum difference in elevation of land in the United States is 14,777 feet, according to the Geological Survey of the Department of the Interior. Mount Whitney, the highest point, is 14,501 feet above sea level, and a point in Death Valley is 275 feet below sea level. These two points, which are both in California, are less than ninety miles apart. This difference is small, however, as compared with the figures for Asia. Mount Everest rises 301002 feet above sea level, whereas the shores of the Dead Sea are 1,290 feet below sea level, a total difference in land heights of 30,292 feet. Mount Everest has never been climbed. The greatest ocean depth yet found is 32,088 feet, at a point about forty miles north of the island of Mindanao, in the Philippine . There seems to be a mania at the present time for regulation, confiscation or destruction of the other fellows business by legislative action or taxation. For political effect it is common to work up a prejudice in the public mind against a perfectly innocent industry which seems helpless to defend itself. Ten months of imports ending October 30 amounted to $3,212,-500,00or about 27 per cent increase over the same period last year, at which time the figures totaled $2,527,000,000. Under free trade, the United States would lose an enormous tax, and the people would still be paying the same prices they pay today. Those who predicted that the present Republican tariff would fail have proven to be poor prophets. .Instead, it .has proven the savior of the 0, country. |