Word: loucheur
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...Since M. Loucheur's bill is admittedly subject to extensive amendment, if indeed Premier Briand can railroad it through the Chamber at all, everyone turned for relief from the terrific squabble which is brewing over the measure to M. Marcel Cachin, fire-eating Communist Deputy, who created a loudly welcomed diversion by denouncing the nation which he feels to be responsible for most of France's financial ills...
With such sulphurous words safely expanding into ever thinner air, interest centred again directly upon M. Loucheur. When that notable millionaire-financial expert accepted the post of Finance Minister he declared ruefully. "I shall soon be the most unpopular man in France." His prophecy has proved true...
Observers noted that discussion of the proposed tax measures showed a persistent tendency to wander into mere personal attacks upon its author. For example, M. Loucheur's famed statement that during the War he gave all the "War profits" of his immense industrial holdings to the Government was openly questioned for the first time...
Finally MM. Briand and Loucheur held a long series of conferences as to the possibility of getting an eight billion franc per annum tax increase through the Chamber in any form whatever. Since the outstanding indebtednesses of France will continue to mature at a rate demanding approximately this amount of additional cash, the alternative to voting it would seem to be national bankruptcy...
None the less, critics opined that the resignation of M. Loucheur, if not of the whole Cabinet, may yet be forced by the unwillingness of the Deputies to face the situation, no matter by whom it may be presented. Rumor was busy with talk of a general election. Le Matin called upon "the leaders of the nation" to organize "a committee of public salvation" with the slogan, "Save France, or die in the attempt...