Im Reichstage

An attempt was begun in the Reichstag to rush through outstanding business before the summer recess, which begins on July 18.

A doubtful beginning was made by a Reichstag committee which refused to sanction an increase in beer and tobacco taxes.

Next day, business was completely held up for a whole afternoon and part of an evening by battalions of irate men and women, armed with walking-sticks and umbrellas, who beseiged the Reichstag building. Nationalist Deputies had promised in the last election to revalorize their worthless bonds, but nothing had been done. Why?

"We elected von Hindenburg but we will not do it again. We will vote for the Communists first," shrieked a haughty old lady, prodding a Nationalist in the stomach with her umbrella. Most of the Deputies had escaped into the innermost parts of the building, but some had not been so fortunate. They attempted to remonstrate with the angry crowd, but each time they opened their mouths they were howled down.

"Look at those fat chaps gobbling and guzzling instead of getting us our savings back," screamed an irate female as she led her followers into the Reichstag restaurant. "Where is Count Westarp?" roared a voice. "We want Admiral Tirpitz," raved the crowd in unison. Not finding them, several women did the next best thing and roundly told a few handy Deputies exactly what they thought of them in the choicest German phrases

Following this outburst, the Government gingerly introduced a bill to levy import duties on agricultural and industrial products. If passed, the bill will operate heavily against U. S. exports, but the Government sees only the necessity of protecting the growth of trade deficits abroad.