On Friday, July 16th, he put before the Finance Committee
of the Chamber his proposals for "Special Powers." This amounted to a demand that the Govern- ment might legislate by decree until November 30th Hi financial affairs. Among other fiscal matters he asked for powers to modify taxation in some directions and to make fresh impositions in others. At the Treasury he asked for powers to deal With the whole Sinking Fund organization for the National Defence Bonds and the Treasury Bonds : to conduct operations in relation to the Banque de France and the stabilization of the Currency. Further, he proposed to deal freely with all salaries borne on the Budget. The last item showed his willingness to face unpopularity and he did not hide his belief that an autocrat was needed and that he Was the man. But he also showed his desire to follow the Report of the Committee of Experts and we hope that in this respect his example will be followed. • *
