Thursday, February 11 Senate-Couzens disclosed frauds under so-called allowances for oil discovery depletion-$300,000,000 of such allowances in a year, and chiefly paid to corporations instead of discoverers as intended by law. Pine, who is in the oil business, denied the report of the Couzens committee. Smoot, Harreld and Pine favored mine depletion allowances. Compromise amendment to allow depletion allowance up to 30 per cent of gross income was adopted, 35 to 29. House-Garrett reported State Department data showing that the Child Labor Amendment was ratified by four states and failed, or was rejected, in twentytwo states. La Guardia presented resolution calling on Attorney General for bread trust information. The Speaker sustained point of order that the resolution involved an expression of opinion, and was not parliamentary. Army bill considered. Friday, February 12 Senate-Willis and Bayard read articles on Lincoln. Discussion of estate and gift tax brought arguments from Norris, Walsh, Dill and Howell favoring such taxes, and from Smoot, McLean, Reed (Pennsylvania) and Fletcher opposing. Howell showed that total tax reduction to 5,694 incomes, current and retroactive, amounted to $275,000,000 under the proposal of the Senate Finance Committee. Simmons favored giving inheritance taxes to the States. The Norris amendment for a gift tax was defeated-57 to 13. Walsh amendment to except from income tax cooperative and mutual organizations not instituted for profit was adopted. Shipstead amendment, as amended by Butler, exempting State and municipal salaries and other compensations, was adopted. McKellar amendment, substituting inheritance tax for estate tax was defeated, 47 to 13. King put in Record a list of improper refunds and abatements to corporations. Norris amendment to lift the ban of secrecy on employes of Income Tax Unit was rejected. Committee proposal to repeal inheritance taxes adopted, 40 to 23. Repeal of admission tax adopted, 40 to 27. On final passage, the tax bill passed the Senate, 58 to 9, with 29 not voting. House-Timberlake read Lincoln's Gettysburg address. Kvale read war poems. House discussed War Department appropriations. Saturday, February 13 House-Lowry reviewed army and navy appropriations-the total for war being $578,000,000. His constituents were farmers. Value of farm lands and buildings in his (Mississippi) congressional district declined from $91,648,000 in 1920 to $52,549,000 in 1925, under five years of Republican tariff. The American Farm Bureau was quoted as estimating yearly loss to farms from tariff at $300,000,000; consumers loss, $1,715,000,000. Monday, February 15 Senate-Walsh presented report No. 117 from Judiciary Committee favoring investigation of charges against the Aluminum Company of America for violation of U. S. District Court decree. Kendrick wanted a report from the Packers and Stockyards section of the Agricultural Department on livestock marketing. Shipstead presented another resolution asking for an investigation of the Tariff Commission. Shipstead also published resolutions of National Board of Farm Organizations, demanding that Tariff Commission be abolished. The Norris resolution (S. J. Res. 9) to submit proposed constitutional amendment, making terms of President and Congress begin January 1, was adopted, 73 to 2. Treasury and Post Office appropriation bill passed. House-Taylor presented analysis of so-called $165,000,000 "pork barrel" building bill. Lanham said six large States got $72,000,000 of it, with 20 States left out, while $50,000,000 were voted toward government centralization in Washington. Bill passed, 263 to 120. Tuesday, February 16 Senate-Wheeler offered a resolution asking the Interstate Commerce Commission to withhold action on pending railway consolidations. Walsh secured passage of a resolution requesting the Secretary of Commerce to report on A. T. & T. rates. The majority report of the Judiciary Committee on Aluminum Company was made a special order for February 17. Passed Naval Appropriation Bill, carrying $316,433,440, with an increase of $5,000,000 for naval aircraft. Confirmed nomination of Charles W. Hunt of Iowa, to Federal Trade Commission. Norris urged appropriation of $185,000 for government fixed nitrate laboratory in Washington. House-Considered $3,000,000 appropriation for governmental participation. in sesquicentennial exposition in Philadelphia. Passed War Department appropriation bill carrying $339,500,000. Wednesday, February 17 Senate-Lenroot got adopted a resolution asking the Tariff Commission for a report on dairy competition here and abroad. Warren presented urgent deficiency appropriation bill carrying $423,000,000. Principal items were $200,000,000 to Treasury as cost of expert help in refunding and abating 1917, 1918 and 1919 taxes, and $160,000,000 to war veterans. King denounced Warren's political argument as a Republican excuse for swelling government expenditures while making an "economy" plea to the public. Wadsworth introduced a bill to amend immigration law to admit aliens who fought for United States in World War. Edge introduced a bill to abolish the Shipping Board and transfer its duties to Department of Commerce, and place the Fleet Corporation under control of the President. House-Voted, 226 to 121, to appropriate $2,186,000 for governmental participation in sesquicentennial at Philadelphia. Sabath (Illinois) introduced Joint Resolution requesting the President to establish diplomatic and commercial relations with the Russian soviet government. Cellar (New York) introduced a bill for survey of conditions under prohibition by special Congressional committee. Naval Committee reported a bill to carry out its five-year building program for naval air service at a cost of approximately $100,000,000. Hastings showed that for $5,000,000 expended in salaries, the Tariff Commission had relieved the cost of living on two itemsbran and bob-white quail. Thursday, February 18 Senate Cummins presented the minority report on proposed Senate investigation of the Aluminum Company of America. Walsh argued for the majority report, demanding an inquiry. Pepper secured final passage of the Philadelphia "sesquicentennial" appropriation. House-Appropriations for independent offices were under discussion. The Tariff Commission appropriation for 1926 is $721,500. Its work of investigation in aid of the President's tariffmaking powers during the current year resulted in 10 increases of tariff duties. Only one decrease was made by the President, that on "bob-white quails." Friday, February 19 Senate-Not in session. House-Wood, discussing appropriations for independent bureaus, drew inspiration from Alexander Hamilton, and concluded that every independent bureau "is a digger at the foundations of this government of ours." Saturday, February 20 Senate-Not in session. House-Continued with appropriations for independent bureaus. Monday, February 22 Senate-Bingham read Washington's farewell address. Heflin read a poem and Blease an editorial. King asked the Attorney General for a report on the number of convictions he had secured for violations of anti-trust laws. Fess presented a letter from Attorney General Sargent explaining the tranfer of $100,000 appropriated for "special legal help" to "salaries" of assistant attorney generals. House-Connally (Texas) attacked the provision to prevent the Federal Trade Commission from making an investigation pursuant to a simple resolution from either branch of Congress. Connally charged that this was a provision to defeat the enforcement of the anti-trust act by knocking out one of the most important sections of the law creating the commission. Connally's amendment to the appropriation bill was defeated. The conference report on the tax bill was presented by Chairman Green of Ways and Means Committee. Tuesday, February 23 Senate Resumed consideration of the Walsh resolution to investigate the aluminum trust. Agricultural appropriation bill reported. Mayfield spoke on transportation problems. House-Adopted conference report on the tax bill, 355 to 28. Wednesday, February 24 Senate-Finally O. K.'d the Mellon tax bill, 61 to 10. Wheeler sponsored a resolution to investigate activities of the Hungarian Minister in connection with the exclusion of Countess Karolyi. House-Began consideration of the Barkley railroad labor bill. "Your Servants in the Senate" HIS new book, which is "the story of their stewardship and that of the Harding-Coolidge regime," has just been published. Here is what one critic thinks of it (Mr. Kerby is Editor of the Newspaper Information Service): MY DEAR LYNN: December 29, 1925. I have just finished reading the galley proof of your book, "Your Servants in the Senate," and I want to give you my impressions for whatever, if anything, they may be worth. The first thing that strikes me about it is the fact that you have here presented the first comprehensive, detailed and painstaking analysis of the real forces of modern capitalism and their method of work that has ever been done in modern times. The second thing that strikes me and arouses admiration is the thorough and workmanlike way in which you have gone at the job. Every page, and indeed every paragraph, bears internal evidence of the care and thoroughness that has evidently been put into the preliminary work on this book of yours, and consequently it is above all things convincing. The third thing that strikes me is the cold, clear logic of the thing; its absence of ranting and demagoguery, its avoidance of generalizations and its specific and deadly presentation of facts, facts, facts! It literally lifts one out of his chair, and it does it not by means of mere language, but by its marshalling of fact, and the logical presentation of its argument. Furthermore, I am charmed by the form and method of presentation, the sequence and arrangement, and the method of allowing one thing to lead to and introduce another. It has the readableness of an exciting novel, the thrill of a mystery play. I am inclined to think that this book, should it be actually read by some members of the Senate machine, might even startle several of them into a realization of the part they are playing as tools of something much bigger and more menacing than perhaps some of them may really have realized. In other words, I believe that its clear and convincing analysis of Mellonism and what Mellonism means might do what few documents ever do-carry a certain amount of conviction even to those individuals who are incidentally attacked by it. For the rest of us who are interested in how the processes of government can be and are being used in the interest of SUPERBIG-BUSINESS, no one of us can afford not to read it. Finally, let me say that my unstinted admiration goes out to a man who can assemble and handle facts in the surgical manner indicated by the proofs that I have examined. Cloth bound copies are $1.75 each and those in paper binding, $1.00 each, postpaid. We offer a paper-bound copy of this book and a year's subscription to The Searchlight for $2.50. THE SEARCHLIGHT PUBLISHING COMPANY Lenox Building Washington, D. C. The Vital Issue of Candidates Next November T IS plainly up to the people to improve the governmental situation, so far as that is possible, in the coming elections. New life must be injected into Congress. At present only a small, impotent minority are displaying the vision and courage which the times demand. There are 435 Congressmen and 33 Senators to be elected. The weakness of the existing system lies at the point of nominations. Those best equipped rarely initiate their own candidacies. Nor do public-spirited citizens do it. That is generally attended to by selfish interests, either political or financial. The result too often is that no entirely suitable candidate comes forward. But there is no reason why the voters should not choose the best that is offered. Above all else, look for independence in the character of those seeking to represent you in the national legislature. Insist upon having a complete accounting of the stewardship of those claiming reelection. In other words, get "the record they have made." You are entitled to know every vital fact concerning the affiliations and attitudes of your servants in House and Senate. Selections for the Senate are especially important. It is to that body that we must look for emancipation from the present ruling caste power. The present Senate has the nucleus for effective functioning in behalf of public welfare. There are eleven members who have demonstrated almost complete non-partisan independence. Just at present the Democratic leadership is woefully weak, but a goodly number of that party's membership are of the progressive type. The great need is for a few more unselfish, far-sighted Senators. They could change the whole situation. It is up to the people to supply them next November. If you want to get a quick picture of conditions at Washington, read "Your Servants in the Senate." Says this book: "Regardless of what these candidates for reelection may bring most vigorously to your attention, the issue in all these campaigns should be the crucial issue of Senatorial independence. "Relatively, nothing else matters." "Your Servants in the Senate" HIS book continues to attract unusual atten tion, from reviewers and regular readers. Its appeal seems to be especially strong among those who compose the great mass of the American common people. For example, in speaking of the twenty-four reactionary Old Guard Senators next up for reelection, the Locomotive Engineers Journal says to its readers: "You can't vote intelligently next November unless you have this book." The Journal's comment follows: "If the United States were a monarchy, Lynn Haines would either be executed or thrown in prison for writing such an exposure of the misdeeds of the high and mighty as that contained in 'Your Servants in the Senate.' The book is not a campaign speech but a collection of roll calls, facts and unanswerable arguments convicting the twenty-four reactionary Republican Senators whose terms expire next November, of high treason to the public interests. These are strong words, but they are amply justified by the record of machine subserviency and betrayal of trust which these Senators have made for themselves. "Lynn Haines is the editor of THE SEARCHLIGHT ON CONGRESS, which contains more real information about the internal workings of the government machine than do all the newspaper dispatches emanating from the national capitol. Haines has been on the job for years. He knows the byways and dark alleys of politics as do few other men in the country. More important still, he is painstakingly careful to base his statements on facts, not opinions. "We review many books in these columns, but we do not often urge you to buy them. Yet this is one political textbook that you, as an intelligent voter, cannot afford to do without. The story of how the Treasury Department is manipulated to rebate hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes for the big corporations, the actual effect of the present tariff in adding billions of dollars to your cost of living in order to make fabulous profits for favored manufacturers, the shameful inside facts of the Newberry election scandal, the reason why the real culprits in the Teapot Dome oil scheme have never been punished, the President's endeavor to put 'Sugar Charlie' Warren in the Attorney General's chairthe whole book is so interesting that one can scarce lay it down until it is finished. "Your Servants in the Senate is not mere destructive criticism. It gives you the inescapable truth upon which to base your own criticisms and action. And then it concludes with a chapter of constructive suggestions for 'electing a Congress of statesmen rather than politicians,' which deserves your thoughtful consideration and support." T What Readers Think of It HIS from Joe M. Deem, of Lowry, Oklahoma, is typical of many letters coming to us. We publish it for the encouragement of those everywhere who are laboring to restore the functioning of representative government in America. Says Mr. Deem: "I want to commend you on your publication and congratulate you on your fearless and sterling patriotism. "As a veteran of the A. E. F. and one who was 'in it' over there, I want to say that your service to our country is as great-and I trust a great deal farther reaching-than any service any of us did in France. "I sincerely hope your sacrifices will not be as heavy-that our country will awaken and you will receive the reward that you deserve. "Keep up your nerve, and give us the truth. We are back of you in spirit even if we haven't the gold to back you with." "'Your Servants in the Senate' shows up their record of stewardship pretty thoroughly," writes Harvey Dean, of Pacific Junction, Iowa. In the opinion of T. E. Dye, Columbus, Ohio, "this is a wonderful book." * * "Real reds, I'll call them," writes a Cleveland citizen, after reading of what the leaders of the existing regime are doing to the foundations of representative government. "From now on," he continues, "I am a Progressive. Thank God that we have a few real men left that are fighting to uphold the Constitution. They call China the sleeping giant; that is a mistake; the American people are the sleeping giants." * * Miss Annie Belle Fogg says: "The most illuminating and interesting book, 'Your Servants in the Senate,' has been received, and read almost at one sitting. It certainly is an 'eye-opener.' I had a hazy idea that something like these statements was probably taking place in the U. S. Senate, but when you see a plain statement of facts and figures, it makes an impression." * * "I have read it thoroughly and carefully. It is a splendid book to put out."-W. W. Durbin, Kenton, Ohio. For campaign distribution, "Your Servants in the Senate" can be secured at the following prices: Five copies, $3.75; 10 copies, $6.50; 100 copies, $55; 500 copies, $225; 1,000 copies, $400; 5,000 copies, $1,750; 10,000 copies, $2,500; 100,000 copies, $20,000. |