Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-18
Winner Of Third Prize. $500

Jersey State Editor. Pen name 'MaximiIian."
Winner Of Third Prize, 5000
In this national campaign the big aues-
ton 10 be settled is not one OF parties or
platforms or personalities, II Is simply
whether Mr Hughes would make better.
or as good. President and be able to render
the public more efficient or as efficient
service than President Wilson.
We may measure expectations of a sec
ono term for President Wilson by the rec
ORD OF his first term. The acid test Of 1T
ness is results
The legislative achievements Of the will
son Administration include acts reforming
and making panic.proof the currency sys-
tem revising the tariff with the purpose OF
encouraging competition and lowering un-
warrantably high prices. providing for ship
purchases and other steps In upbuildng our
merchant marlne-that have already
doubled the tonnage--in order TO enlarge
our foreign markets. amending and making
more practical antitrust laws, creating a
Federal Trade Commission 10 prevent un-
fair business methods. Board OF Conclla-
ton and Mediation to avert or end strikes,
Tariff Commission to substitute scientific
inquiry for prejudice. politics and pull In
framing tariff schedules. preventing trade
dumping. against child labor. for an eight
hour day prohibiting abuse OF injunctons
In labor disputes protecting sailors and the
safety OF passengers. recognising that hui
man labor Is more than a commodity OF
commerce. imposing an income tax that
shifts the burden OF taxation so as to make
wealth pay its just proportion. providing
capital at low interest rates for agricultural
development. establishing facilities TO sup
ply farmers with knowledge Of how TO In
crease production. opening up Alaska and
other public lands and promoting the de-
velopment Of great national resources while
saving them from monopolization, giving
the Filplnos more self-government and ex-
tending Federal aid to good roads con-
struction.
Then there are the measures for pre-
paredness against war. carrying appropria-
tions this year OF s662. .00O, ,O0O-t242. 900, 900
more than Great Britain spent on her navy
and Germany on her army the year before
the great war began-and meeting the cost
by taxing plethoric incomes and inheri-
tances and raunition manufactures.
Some Republican votes were cast In Con-
gress for nearly every one of these acts.
This though. is not the whole story. The
lobby has been driven from the capital.
trust laws clarified, the Postofflce Depart
ment made self-supportlng express extor-
tion broken up. interest collected on Gov
ernment bank. deposits, public health serv-
ice activities broadened and high order
of administrative efficiency everywhere
displayed
In our foreign relations perplexing prob
lens have crowded thick upon the Admins
tratlon. In 1913 differences with Japan
muddle, a legacy from the TAFT admins
tratIon, has not yet been cleared up, but
final judgment cannot be passed upon our
Mexican policy because inttrwoven with II
was the problem of gazing South and Cen
tral American confidence, and ultimate con-
sequences cannot yet be gauged, nor can
the wisdom of our course be determined In
the absence OF the perspective that only
time can give. In our controversy with
Germany this country secured all II sought
Negotiations NTH England are still In
progress; they require time. In war-mad
world are at peace. with honor. because
President Wilson has remained calm and
cool and patiert, swayed by the clamor OF
neither fire-eating jingoes nor peace-at-any-
price pacfists. while firmly insisting on the
maintenance of American rights.
Four years ago we were told Wilson's
| election would mean business ruin. Bank
| deposits have increased twenty-six per
| cent exports seventy-sx per cent, imports
| twenty-one per cent, balance of trade In
| this country's favor 2S7 per cent, and our
| national wealth twenty-five per cent. More
men are employed at better wages and for
| shorter hours than ever before, And war
| business is less than one per cent OF the
| total. II the affairs of our Government have
been msmanaged, how could these things
| be?
Elihu Root once said under bad govern.
ment no fertility OF soil. no thrift or In
| dustry of population. can bring prosperity
to a people. Security. opportunity. con-
| hdence. activity Of trade and labor are the
| fruits of good government alone"
As an opposition candidate. II In the nat
| ural function OF Mr. Hughes TO find fault.
| But he has nothing better. indeed nothing
| definite. to offer He promises no different
| policy with regard TO Mexico or the Eu-
| ropean belllgerents The tariff and nation
| alism have been taken out OF politics by
Democratic Legislation. Elght-hour laws can
| never be repealed. There Is no clear and
| concrete issue upon which the voters are
| urged to repudiate an Administration that
| has meant progress prosperity and peace.
| The Hughes campaign is based upon a
| mobilization OF minor grievances. an at
| tempt to capitalize trivial and often ncon-
| gTuous dissatisfaction.
Can one conceive Mr.. Hughes appointing
| a Justice Brandeis 10 the Supreme Court
| bench any more than one can conceive OF
President Wilson opposing ratification OF an
| income tax amendment?
What, TO match the harmonious and
united action under Wilson. could Mr..
1