Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 79, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1917 — Some Asses Pull Hows; Others Go to Congress. [ARTICLE]

Some Asses Pull Hows; Others Go to Congress.

Lafayette' journal. All of the asses in the country are not pulling plows and doing other useful work. Some of them are masquerading as congressmen. In discussing the question of .revenues one day last week Congressman Fordney srfid: “1 favor putting an equitable and just rate of tax upon the newspapers that have done more through their columns to bring' on this war than any other one power in the country.” (Applause 'by other congressmen). We insert the applause because that is the way it is reported in the Congressional Record, a publication that frequently merits the title of “A Diary of Infamy.” Mr. Fordney further states that he favors doubling or trebling or even quadrupling the present rate of postage paid by newspapers and magazines. This chap is a republican. He is also considerable of a damned fool. For example, his suggestion to quad ruple postage rates would mean an increased cost to newspapers like the Journal of about $12,000 per year. Picking for the newspapers isn’t as easy as it is for congressmen. The business is established upon a basis that does not permit the publisher to change his prices every time there is a boost in the price of the things he has to buy. Unlike the merchant, he cannot pass the cost along to the consumer, and the Fordney suggestion would spell ruin for many publishers. Because congress and the administrate n is ineffective newspapers are already paying exhonbitant prices for print paper, a direct tax upon legitimate business to cover the expense of somebody’s inefficiency. Speaking further Mr. Fordney said: “In the last twelve months I have not read a paper that discouraged going to war* with Germany, not one. They were all prodding us on, encouraging the administration and the people to declare war against Germany because our rights on the (Seas had been encroached upon.” Evidently his reading has been rather circumscribed in its character or he draws the long bow with unusual grace, both of which are the prerogatives of congressmen. It is i sad commentary upon the patriotism and loyalty and courage of congress to admit that it was necessary for the press to lead the way in preserving the rights of the people and the nation against oppression and murder by a highwayman of the seas. It is an act of mercy that the newspapers- do not take cognizance of the fool things that cowardly representatives do and say else many of them would not last long at the public crib. But given time enough they either grow wiser or become a stench in the nostrils of the people and are relegated to oblivion.