La Junta tribune., 1916-09-16
PINCHOT SUPPORTS HUGHES.
Gives Some Reasons for the
Faith That l. In Him.

sents the trend of thought of that
element In American politics. has an
nounced that It is to the best inter
3 ests of all sincere believers in the
principles of the progressive party to
support the republican ticket this
fall Mr.. Pinchot calmly reviews the
record of President Wilson and COM
pares II with the strong and manly
policies outlined by Mr.. Hughes, and
asserts that OF the two men the
republican candidate best represents
progressive ideals. Mr. Pinchot's S
letter. which is worthy OF perusal,
follows:
II is the duty OF every American
citizen to make and support openly
his choice among the candidates for
the presidency. That duty is especi-
ally solemn this year because great
events and great decisions are certain
TO confront us during the next ad-
ministration. ! am writing to give
you my reasons for my own choice.
II you care to lay them before your
readers, please do so. but not before
Monday morning, September 1lth.
/ am neither a Democrat nor a
Republican, but Progressive. Yet.
there being no progressive nominees.
unless ! choose to support candi-
date who can not be elected. / must
vote for eithe. Wilson or Hughes.
For many months after his inaug-
uration. thought well OF President
Wilson. In many respects liked
what he said about what he was go
ing to do. He talked well and made
good impression. II was only when
began to check up what he said by
what he did that I was forced to
change my view.
In the end came to see that Pres
ident Wilson has a greater power
than any other man in public life to
say one thing but do another. and
get away with 1t.
The facts which justify this state
ment are common knowledge.
We have all heard him tell Ger
many publicly that she would be
held to strict accountability: and
have learned afterward that he actu-
ally let her know secretly at the time.
by the mouth OF his secretary OF
state through the Austrian mbassa-
dor. that what he said he did not
mean. We have all seen him prove
that he did not mean It by his total
failure to exact reparation. apology.
or even disavowal for the murder OF
Americans on the Luisitania.
do not say that Wilson should
have thrust us into war. There was
no need OF war. But there was need
OF courage To give us peace with self
respect. II Wilson had shown cour-
age this country would not have
skidded from one crisis TO the next.
again and again. narrowly escaping
disaster.
We have all heard him declare
against Intervention In Mexico. while
actually Intervening TO dictate who
should and who should not hold Of
fce there: and denounce war against
Mexico while actually engaged In
war.
with war on ever side OF us. We
all heard him. In his second annual
message. solemnly assure the coun-
try that we had not been negligent
of national defense. Only the pro-
verbal good luck OF America has
kept us from paying the bitterest
price for his unforgiyable neglect.
For more than n year after the
world.war began. Wilson did moi,
raise n finger to put rs In n eondi--
tion OF defense. Only the provcrbial
good luck OF America has kept us
from paying the bitterest price for
his unforgivable neglect.
q We have all heard him ridioule the
Ndea OF greater navy. then declare
for incomparably the greatest navy
In the world. and then 20 back on
that.
We have all heard him declare for
exemptinx our coast.wise trade from
tolls In the Panama canal; and have
seen him show our own people and
the English that he did not mean Il.
We have seen him elected on .
platform which pledged him 10
single term for president. and then
become . candidate for another
term.
We have oil heard him declare for
the conservation Of our natural re-
sources; aad have seen him neglect
that policy. sad refuse Bic heip 10