Charlevoix county herald., 1915-09-25
ON THE FIRING LINE

The 1912 platform of the Democratic
party favored "National aid to state
and local authorities in the construction
and maintenance of post roads," In
stead of 'endeavoring to fulfill that
pledge, the Democratic Congress re-
duced national revenue and frittered
away Federal funds until substantial
aid to road Improvement was out OF the
question. The House passed make
shift, porkbarrel bill, which, il enacted
into law, would have scattered small
sums in a multitude OF communities
without providing sufficient funds to
build any permanent highway. Re-
publican Senators, aided by some OF the
Democratic members OF that body,
saved the country from waste that
would have resulted from such legisla-
ton and recommended, as a substitute,
the Bourne plan for cooperation OF the
nation and states in extensive construc-
ton and maintenance OF permanent
highways. While failure to pass any
good roads legislation was better than
to have passed the measure to which
the House gave its approval, yet a
course OF action which involved breach
OF the pledge made in the platform
leaves nothing to be said in defense of
the party in power. The Democrats
had an opportunity to make good their
promise but they failed.
Regarding the Frank case, Georgia
wants to be "let alone. But when it
comes to sharing in the thirty-million-
dollar cotton money which all the rest
of us have to contribute towel, that's
| different.
| MEMS WEAR, a magazine devoted
to the interests OF the tailors' guild,
critIciZes Mr.. Bryan for his slovenly
manner of dress. Bill has always stood
for free wool, and il was largely
through his influence that wool went
on the free list in the Underwood tariff
law Having achieved that result, the
fact that he is in q perennial state Of
sartorial collapse seems to be incon-
sistent.
| The Chinese government is consider
ing the purchase OF 100 submarines at q
cost OF about $750O0,000. Secretary
Daniels thinks the expenditure OF $50,
900, ,0OO for subs" will be sufficient for
both coasts OF this country. That will
build about Is OF the type of the one
now being constructed by this Govern
ment Even China plans 10 out-distance
us.
All who have studied the matter
agree that with the signing of the peace
treaty, both Germany and England, our
two great trade competitors, will engage
in separate war On the United States
in an effort not only to re-capture the
trade lost during the struggle, but to
break down the industrial supremacy
oil this country. A prominent western
business man declared that already
Iroreign manufacturers are planning a
"get-together, or syndicating move
ment against America following the
cessation of hostilities in Europe.
Ii this country is still subjected TO the
baneful influences Of a Democratic
tariff law when peace is declared, there
can be but one outcome-the industrial
bankruptcy of the nation. Already
Democratic opportunities are seemingly
giving ear to the advice OF business
men, and dropping hints of a restora-
ton OF the duty on sugar, a protective
duty on dyestuffs, and various other
tariff palliatives. That this is contrary
to Democratic doctrine, every man
knows, as he also knows that it is IN
tended for campaign consumption next
year. The confidence OF industrial
America will be restored only when
the Republican party, the party of
practical common sense and sound
business ideals, is restored to power.