Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 307, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1915 — CONGRESSMAN WOOD AT LOVE FEAST [ARTICLE]

CONGRESSMAN WOOD AT LOVE FEAST

Says Wilson Plan to Tax Gasoline, Btc., For Preparedness Wi)l Not Receive Endorsement.

The Indianapolis Star publishes the following article in reference to Congressman Will R. Wood, of Lafayette, our representative in congress: Representative in Congress Will R. Wood, of the tenth district, who reached Indianapolis from Washington yesterday afternoon, brought the explanation that the reason why three or four of the Indiana democratic members of congress have decided not to* seek renomination is their belief that next spring is going to toe a “republican year.” Mr. Wood is here to attend the republican state love feast tomorrow. "Three or four of the democratic members of congress of our Hoosier state are retiring voluntarily because it is plain to them that next year is going to be a bad year for democrats,” says Representative Wood. “And it is rumored persistently that two or three more of the present democratic delegation are about to announce their retirement.” "Merrill Moores and I represent districts, but we are just the same as representatives at large, because republicans from all over the state call on us to look after their interests and, of course, we are glad to be of service to all,” he continued. Representative Wood makes the prediction that President Wilson's bill on preparedness will never see the light of day. “The president's program on preparedness will be upset because the democratic members of congress are hearing from their constituents. It is my prediction that the bill will not leave the committee's hands, at least in its present form. There is a demand for preparedness and it must be met, .but there will be an uprising against the democratic plan to tax automobiles, gasoline and bank checks in order to raise revenue to pay for battleships. “The democrats don't dare to re*vise their tariff bill (because to do so would admit their weakness, so there is nothing left for them to do but to pass a special tax bill and amend the income tax bill so that everyone drawing a salary of any size is taxed.” Mr. Wood said that several members of congress favor Charles W. Fairbanks for,the presidency and that most of them favor him for second choice after their “favorite sons” are out of the way. “Indiana’s favorite for the presidential nomination has more second choice supporters than any other man mentioned for the office, and it is the second choice support which will control the nomination,” said Representative Wood. “Mr. Fairbanks is well known in Washington (both because of his sendee as senator and as vice-president and he has a big following of friends among the present and former members of congress. I think that Indiana republicans have a chance to obtain the nomination of Mr. Faiibanks. Republicans attending tomorrow's love feast will have an opportunity to sign the petition asking that Mr. Fairbanks’ name be placed on the presidential ballot to .be voted on at the primary election next Mardh. About 5,000 voters already have signed the petitions which have been sent from republican state headquarters. Several persons have written to headquarters asking that a petition be sent them in order that they may sign it.