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Show I THE CITIZEN 6 that aliens be registered is vigorously opposed by aliens who are in the country through violation of the immigration laws and by interests en gaged in 'bootlegging immigrants into the country. It is also opposed "liberals' in sympathy with d by communists, socialists and them, who fear the apprehension and deportation of alien agitators engaged in carrying forward the bolshevist plot to overturn the American government by violence. To these must be added some deluded sentimentalists more concerned about the individual hardship the enforcement of such a law might impose upon aliens, than about the safety and welfare of the American government. opportunity to become an "Every alien legally in this country-haAmerican citizen, thus escaping any hardship that might be involved under the proposed law in the necessity of registration and the payment of the tax of ten dollars for adults, with an annual fee of $5 thereafter, and of $3 a year for every child between the ages of sixself-style- ' assurance that they will remain so or that the situation may some of these days require him to make good. And in addition to Russia and Mussolini, there are the little border states and the Balkans, always full of possibilities for trouble. If Uncle Sam were to go to Europe now to help guarantee th7 peace he would have a real job on his hands, and there is no assurances that his efforts would be appreciated. It is not advice but money that the European governments need most at the present time. SAVING BUT PROGRESSIVE s Registration involves no greater hardship for those entitled to be in the country than is imposed by law upon for every American citizen who owns an automobile or a dog, calling a process of registration and payment of a fee. The unnaturalized alien has come to this country in every case where his errand is legitimate, for the purpose of improving his economic condition; to share the better standards of wages and living this country affords. As compared with the benefits thus secured, the fee proposed is a small one." teen and twenty-on- e years. FREE TRADERS Indications point to the fact that outside interests are making a drive against our sugar interests. If the sugar industry could be killed in this country, the prices we have been paying for coffee and rubber would not be in it with the prices that we would be compelled to pay for sugar. Mrs. J. Borden Harriman, of New York and Washington, and probably Paris and London, advanced on Washington recently to make a drive against the tariff. Mrs. Harriman and the ladies with her spoke particularly about the necessity of a reduction .on sugar, household utensils, hardware, cutlery, etc., but it is a fair surmise that Mrs. Harriman and the associated ladies would not object nor be distressed if the tariff on female fripperies was also reduced at the same time, although they very carefully kept that out of their published announcements. "Sugar" is the first on their list and yet sugar sells for less than it has for many years and is the cheapest food commodity today. If be sugar was based in cost in proportion to other commodities, it would sack. selling for ten or fifteen dollars a hundred-poun- d If these ladies were making a drive against the high cost of candy, we would have nothing to say. As it is, we have cheap sugar and a very high priced candy. Who is behind the drive these ladies are making? No doubt they practically spend all their time living in European cities, but retain their American citizenship. Thus, they favor European ideas and customs. INTERNATIONALISTS Those Americans of internationalist mind who do not think Uncle Sam is doing his duty because we are not entering fully into the solution of European affairs, through the League of Nations and who seem arena would bring to think that our entrance into the instant and everlasting peace, have their eyes turned toward the clouds rather than in the direction of actual world conditions. There are two major and several minor factors which would make it a little difficult, even for Uncle Sam to assure the peace of Europe at this time. First there is Russia, the outlaw among nations, not yet a 'member of the League, but playing a large part in European affairs. The Russian government as present constituted, is at war with all of the capitalistic governments of the world. The combat is not being carried on by force of arms, but by infiltration and propaganda, but real hostilities are not beyond the bounds of probability. ' Then again there is Mussolini. Guaranteeing peace in Europe with Mussolini on the job in Italy would not be the easiest thing in the world. It may be that the dictator's warlike utterances' are designed only for home consumption, to bolster his cause in Italy, but there is no trans-Atlant- ic Most of our taxes really, are local affairs, what we vote directly. But because there are many that we do not recognize or understand, it is easy, if not inevitable, to lump all into the realm of the mysterious, and be wantonly ignorant of what we pay or where it goes It is not necessary to cut our progress and needed improvements, but it is necessary to cut out nonessentials and political hobbies, whicij constantly add to overhead of government, without giving added advantages comparable with their cost. Commissioner P. J. Moran has set a good example to all the other commissioners. A saying of nearly $50,000 so far this year in his department, the hardest department in the city to make a saving, goes to show what can be done by the man who has the public welfare at heart. Notwithstanding this saving, Commissioner Moran has extensive public improvements coming up. He is conducting the city affairs along the lines of private business and if he continues in his good work he will no doubt make a big hit with the taxpaying public. ( MINING One result of prosperous mining conditions that is often overlooked, is the added value it gives to real estate, one section in a western state reporting real estate values had increased 00 per cent since the renewal of mining activity. Mining is a basic industry of the West, and a trip through the great mining districts reveals its real importance. When mining is active, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California and other states in this great mineral empire enjoy prosperity. When mining suffers a setback, from an overdose of legislation or excessive taxation, real estate values slump and business suffers. The mining industry generally prospers if left alone. It pays good dividends to those who play fair with it. The honest expenditure of money underground is necessary to develop mines. Real estate men and mining men should work hand in hand, for the upbuilding of the mining industry. 1 CLASS LEGISLATION. A bill is now before Congress to give the railroads a "fair" deal. The treasury department holds railroad securities valued at more than $300,000,000, upon which the railroads are paying 6 per cent interest. The bonds must be redeemed within five years. The purpose of the present bill is to reduce the interest rate to 4J4 per cent and to extend the time of payment to 33 years. We do not blame the railroads for trying to get all they can out of the government, but we stand upon a policy that "what is good for the gander is good for the goose." If the railroads can get money so cheaply, our Congressmen must not forget that the farmer ought to get it still cheaper, and we consider it a poor rule that does not work both ways. If Congress should listen to the railroads the government will lose annually $6,000,000, the difference what was obligated to be paid and what will be paid under the provisions of the present bill. Of course it is easy to understand subtraction from the railroads and addition to the taxpayers. It is said that the railroads have failed to meet the interest d kt and now the Senate is considering lowering the interest rate. However, when the farmer's note beebmes due, his interest is boosted from 6 and 7 per cent to 8 per cent, and confiscation of property is immediate the note is not paid. . Our lawmakers should consider justice only. |