The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-05-12
POLITICAL ACTIVITY

Washington, May 11-Special CORE
spondence-For the first time in Amer
lean history political campaign is be-
ginning eighteen months in advance
of the day OF the national election. Re-
publicans started activity by organic
ing the Republican Publicity assocla-
ton, which announced its purpose 10
gather and disseminate information
regarding the principles. policies ana
achievements of the republican party
and to point out the defects and TAIL
ures of democracy.
The organization was no sooner
formed than the democrats became
active. and through former Represent
alive A. Mitchell Palmer, OF Pennsyl-
yania. soon to assume the Office OF chief
Justice of the court of claims, sent
circular letter to faithful democrats
throughout the country urging contrl-
buttons to fund for the purpose OF
counteracting the efforts of the RepuD-
lican Publicity association.
1t. is evident therefore, that the
relative merits of republican and dem
ocratic policies will be fully and free.
ly discussed in 1915, instead of waiting
until the summer of 1916 to submit
facts and arguments to American vot-
erS.
Alarmed over the activity Of the re-
publicans, Mr.. Palmer sought to pre-
JUDGE the American people against
the leaders of that party by asserting
that they We're engaged in fat frying"
He overlooked the fact, of which the
American voters are fully aware, that
the democratic administration alone is
in possession of the pan and controls
the fire with which fat may be fried.
Even though republicans were so dis
posed, it would be impossible for them
to bring pressure to bear upon large
financial interests in order to secure
campaign funds. The democrats are
In absolute control of such govern
mental bodies as the federal trade
commission, the federal reserve bank
Ing system and the industrial commits
sion, as we'll as the department OF
Justice, which conducts prosecutions
of supposed violators OF the law, ana
the post Office department which now
assumes to declare what lines OF BUS
mess may be excluded from use OF the
mails. The reference to "fat frying"
by democratic leaders merely directs
public attention to the indisputable
fact that If any financial interest con-
tributes money TO any cause because
of fear, that contribution will be made
to democratic, and not republican,
fund.
However, the voters of the United
States are chiefly interested in the ac-
curacy of facts that may be submitted
and the soundness of arguments that
may be made. They will not permit
the democrats to dodge any issues by
making vague references to fat fry
ing" Explanations OF violation OF
campaign pledges will be read with
more interest. Why the democratic
administration abandoned the pledge
of economy is a question the American
people desire to see answered. Ihey
would like to know what excuse, u
any, can be given for destruction OF
j the policy adopted by republicans OF
building up a strong diplomatic serv-
lice free from politics or personal faV-
oritism and on a standard that COM
lmanded the respect of all the leading
nations of the world. And, most OF all,
the American people will want from
\ the democratic administration thor
| ough discussion OF the effects OF the
democratic tariff law which wrought
Havoc with American industry until
the European war served as bar to
foreign importations and afforded
American industry protection from
cheap foreign competition. American
business men will also expect the DEM
oor,+;o admin ictration tn eXOlain why
the postal service has been permitted
| to deteriorate when that service is OF
utmost Importance to the speedy trans
action OF private as well as public
business.
These are only a few OF the prob
liens that will be presented for the
consideration of leaders of the demo
cratic partu but they are OF such i'm
portance tosthe American people that
any attempt at evasion will not serve
to detract attention from the main is
sues.