The Washington herald., 1914-11-18
Presidents Important Task.

In determining to proceed with unusual -deiibera.
ton in casting the Federal Trade Commission. the
President again claims and merits the approval OF
the country. No act of his administration will Be
burthened with greater consequence to the nation
than this If he succeeds in securing an ideal corr
mission, a commission of character ond intelligence
measuring to he tremendous work resigned to il
he will have accomplished more good than he could
achieve by any other action within his authority and
volition. His success or failure will be recorded in
material results that lie not so far ahead of u.s.
The country is passing through prolonged period
of stress and trial 1t has not yet adjusted itself
fully to the new tariff The new currency and
banking system has not adjusted itsAf to the coun-
try. International tradai and financial relationships
are still under the influence of war. There is no
regular market for our securities Supervene these
difficulties with the new legislation for business and
industry written and enacted in headstrong political
determination and against wiser counsel, and you
complete the rough survey of a general situation
that approach from almost any angle reveals as
critical
Everybody knows that we going through it
all right Everybody realizes that somewhere out
aIead are firm footing, security and normal times
but nobody knows when we shall ge' through
what hardship must be endured before through
When business. industry and enterprise grid their
lons and start forward, they must move under the
censorship of this new commission. The task OF
the President is to find commission big enough,
ind broad enough and able enough to size up to the
work cut out for it. This commission be con-
structive destructive in its relationship to the
material wel-being of country.
The Presidents first trouble will be political in
He is the leader OF practi-a: and aspiring
party largely animated by the spoLls idea as to
Df,r 81, NJ
political appontee, is already berthed on the
mission by those who from political stand
points. and there is a growing movement favor
ing Mr.. Mitchell Palmer, who led the forlorn hope
for the party in Pennsylvania and who after March
I will be without occupation political. The Presi
dent has five places to hl and the number divides
itself into convenient well instructive frac-
tions Will one-ffth or two-ffths three-hfths or
even four-hfths of the membership OF this body be
delivered to the Presidents party? Here is party
demand that will be pressed insistenly and must be
met Squarey. There are many Democrats admir-
abE fitted for place on the commission, but we
think that the country large will look for quality
and fitness first and political afiliation afterward
1t is said that in laying his preliminary plans
tor the formation of the commission the President
has tentatively decided that he will two bust
ness men, two lawyers and one economist. This |
llNlSlOn SctTnS IdTiN possibly
Ter balanced commission would number three busi- |
ness men, one lawyer and one economist. The board |
always will be in position to supplement its own
legal talent, not only by employing attorneys, but
Dy having available for counsel and advice the great
Cgal department OF the government presided by
the Attorney General. Both its rortne and con-
5tructve work lie along commercial and industrial
lines and believe that business leadership will
serve it better than legal leadership.
If we may be permitted to sugges: it, the Pres-
lent will do we'll to entirely from political con-
derations, and from the seekers after place this
commission, and choose as best he can from men of
Iroyen capacity who be induced make sacrifice
o their country in time of real need
In composing the Federal Reserve Board, Presi-
lent Wilson undoubtedly had the same principle
n mind in endeavoring to secure men of the high
st character and capacity, whose occupations
md standing such that resign them, in order
o take a place upon the Federal Reserve Board
meant genuine financial sacrifice; in other words
his is another occasion where, in order to get
lpon the Federal commission whose presence
here will be not drag, not menace not veiled
kreat to business, but real genuine stimulus to it.
We must look for who have already arrived
n a large way, and who look upon The selection to
his commission simply opportunity to render
Ugh public service