Evening journal., 1916-04-21
TREATING ECONOMIC PROBLEMS As JOKE.

TREATING ECONOMIC PROBLEMS As A JOKE.
IN REATING lightly the serious problems of govern
ment and business is characteristic Of Demo-
cratic leaders In ,his respect the leaders are not
representative of the rank file OF the party,
most Democrats are sincerely desrous of meeting
every issue frankly arises and solving the prob
lens promptly for the best interests Of the country.
An illustration of the frame of mind of the Demo-
cratic statesman may be found in recent issue Of
the Raleigh North Carolina, News and Observer edited
by Josephus Daniels, member of the Wilson Cabinet
When he became Secretary the Navy, Daniels tried
treat his Office a Joke. and it many
months before he sobered down the realization that
the general supervision Of the American Navy is
serious job.
Daniels also treats economic problems as a joke.
For instance he quotes Republican editors query
"After the war-what?" and answers il by saying,
Book agents with subscription books telling you all
about it," Tho Republican editor had made
ful and intelligent presentation of the trade problems
that will confront the business of America when
the has closed, cur abnormal market has ter
minated and ports have been thrown open to
free competition from abroad
The most thoughtful men OF America giving that
question serious study. Not so Josephus Daniels.
The business situation after the does not concern
him. He spent no soepless nights worrying the
industrial depression that overwhelmed the enterprises
OF this country from the time the Democrats
into power until the. war saved from the effects of
the free trade policy. He drawing Tat salary in
elegant offices with assistants and clerks to supply
| his every need and with naval officers bowling and
salung at his door. AS he did not worry then neither
does he worry now for he is confident that this ad-
mnisration will be retained in power another four
years on the plea that Wilson kept out Of war"
and that he will enjoy another four years unprece-
dented prosperity
But Mr. Daniels misudges both the intelligence and
the temper OF the. Democrats Of his own and of
; the United States Business men in North Carolina
and in every other State know what brought the
hard times what gave us partial restoration of
pcrity and what the condition will be when the
ends and free trade again has full sway They are
not satisfied with this administrations handling of do
tive to the former they definite assurance
that provision has been made adequate economic
preparedness
The American business man, though Demo-
crat does not like being made the goat satisfy the
theories or whims Of men who know much more about
politics than they do about business II Mr. Daniels
will sean the election returns in 1914 and since.
will see a pretty plain expression Of dissatisfaction
with his partys leaders and just plain indica-
tion Of what country intends to do with those lead
in 1916.
The doom Of the Democratic administration has al
ready been determined Nothing that Wilson and Dam
iels and Burleson do will wipe out the record
they have made or to forget tho hardships
they endured in 19iS-ti But it would that on
the eve of their departure from places of authority the
Democratic leaders would at least make effort to
redeem themselves They should at least make an
end of bufoonery and get down for the remaining
months 10 the serious tesks with which they en-
trusted as a result Of a division in the ranks of that
considerable majority which is opposed TO their theo-
ries and practices.