The Republican journal., 1915-11-18
"Foreigners First" Democratic
Policy.

WASHINGTON, Nov. Is, 1915. 1t is
altogether probable that Democratic
leaders in the coming session of Congress
will call some of the administrative de-
partment heads to account for the man.
ner in which government appropriations
have been expended. This administration
has thrown itself open to just criticism
in so many instances and in such impor-
tant particulars that Democratic Con-
gressmen will find embarrassment in de-
Tending the party record in their 1916
campaigns, and they do not relish the
predicament in which they are unwill-
ingly placed.
1t is not merely extravaganza that has
put the Democratic party in bad stand
ing before the country. If the money
were merely wasted, doing nobody harm,
there would be sufficient grounds for crit
icism, but when the administration uses
the money and offices of the American
people against the interests of our own
countrymen, the situation is one that in
vites degree of censure and rebuke
a that renders the word CRITICISM" in
adequate.
The recent example of the Department
of Commerce issuing statement to the
press poasting that it had aided Swiss
manufacturers in securing orders for
toys in America is case in point. While
American toy manufacturers are employ
ing statesmen to place their goods in their
own home market, the Department lent
the aid of Government employees to the
marketing of Swiss goods in this country
In competition with the American prod
uct. AS an illustration of the Demo-
cratic idea of "America First, this is a
shining example that has probably never
been surpassed. The nearest approach
TO it was the removal of the sugar duty
at the request of men who openly ad-
mitted they expected such action to drive
American producers out of business.
With an administration preaching
America First" and practicing ''Switz-
erland First, " the Democratic spell-bind-
er of 1916 is certain to have sorry
time. He will have an embarrassing time
of it when some native born American
citizen stands up in the audience and asks
the candidate to explain this feature of
Democratic administration - policy
maintained at time when the Depart
lrnent of Labor is sending out bulletins
. showing a very large number of unem-
ployed in practically every city in the
United States.
In these days of organization for mu-
>tual cooperation, every city has its Cham
Der of Commerce or Board of Trade for
the purpose of promoting local CONNER
cial interests, to encourage the develop
ment of local industries and invite new
enterprises to begin operations in the
local field. All these organizations urge
apolicy expressed by the phrase, "Patro-
nize Home Industries. Every local
merchant, bank er, and mechanic breaches
the doctrine. Every newspaper gives
columns of space to arguments designed
to induce its readers to buy from local
merchants. 1t is sound economic sen Sc
for the community, for the county, fol-
the State and for the nation.
Naturally, it is severe shock to peo'
ole who have contributed of their hare
earned money to build up this sentiment,
when they see Government officials using
government money to foster Swiss in
dustries. Not that the American people
have any prejudice whatever against
Swiss toys. Far from it. But the loya
American has an intense prejudice II
favor of the American article, whether
it ;be a toy or something in the line O
daily necessity. And that same loya
American will not stand for insinceritI
which breaches America First" ant
practices foreigners First"
Hence the likelihood that the Depart
ment of Commerce will be asked to ex
plain itself.