The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-12-07
STAR OF GEORGE
,,.ANING SLOWLY
.,o,isn Chancellor of the Exechequer
Il Not the Great Man
r4e Was Once Con-
sidered.
he rs A VOTE CATCHER
Great Orator, But Does Not eSsWays
sick Closely to the
Facts in the
Case.
lBy Ed l.. Keen, London Correspond
ent of the United Press


/ LONDON, Dec. 6.-Americans who
have become accustomed to seeing
the name of Chancellor of the EX-
cheouer Lloyd George more frequent
" mentioned in English news than
that of any other British politician,
will be somewhat surprised to learn
that his star is gradually wanning.
His friends. the masses, have discov-
cred that there is clay in the leet OF
their idol, and the conviction is rapid
ly gaining ground that unlebs some
other leader shall arise to take his
place. only miracle can save the
liberal party from defeat in the next
general election.
Making all due allowances for po-
ltical bias, there. was considerable
truth in the word-picture that An
Drew Bonar Law, leader of the con-
sentative party, recently painted OF
LLOYD George. While expressing the
personal opinion that rne cnancel-
lor was "vote-catching demagogue",
! Bonar Law believed that he was sim
cere and that he had real desire to
/ improve the living conditions OF
the people. But observed Law, he
is like great actor who, when play
ing the part of Macbeth, feels and
thinks like Macbeth. When Lloyd
George is on the platform. playing the
part of tie Little brother of the
poor, he feels it. 1t is not affecta-
ton, but when the lights are put out
and he goes home again, he becomes
Mr.. Lloyd George, and he doesn't de
priye himself of any of the little
comforts for which many of US have
a liking"
The speaker didn't refer to the
chancellor's speculation in American
Marconi shares on tip which he re
ceiyed through the managing director
of the English Marconi company WhllG
1t was negotiating for a contract witt
the British government--the bigges
blunder of Lloyd Georges polltica
career-but there probably was no
one of his hearers who did not have i
in mind.
However, entirely aside from th1
i deplorable business, which the chan
cellor has never yet succeeded In eS
planning satisfactorily to even nj
friends, his loss of prestige is proDah
~ due TO his unfortunate habits Q
haste and inaccuracy more than t
any other factor. Full of enthusiast
and with all the fiery eloquence OF tn
Celtic races, the Little Welsnman
has way of sweeping his audience
before him. He always makes ~
with his facts and figures-until the
have been checked. He has tackle
more big tasks in the way of refor1
! than any other statesman for gene
4 atoms past, and he has carried thel
through, but with lack of attenuo
to necessary details that has resulte
4 in much imperfect legislation.
His temperament aanors rontin
II the facts as he sees them suit h
purpose. he doesn't bother about yei
Tying them. For instance, when
hit upon his great scheme Of natio
al insurance for the workingmen
the kingdom, he hastily formed co
customs on data prepared by COVER
ment officials and proceeded to fran
the bill without making any indepe
dent investigation or seeking outsf
advice AS a consequence the bi
admirable as it was in conlceptio
went through parliament in h
4 baked condition, and the chancell
4 now finds that in it's working he
unable to fulfill many OF the glowf
q promises he held forth when 1t W
introduced.
j Every year the chancellor has be
4 hopelessly out in his budget figurir
y and the old age pension law is NJ
4 costing more than double the origin
4 amount estimated. Notable exampl
a OF Lloyd Georges sloquence runni
Z away with his facts are his gen
shepherd CT partmoor.t and the so
or OF Cardiff" During the elect
campaign of 1910 he told huge all
ence how he had Genie across an
man In Dartmoor penitentiary "