New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-01

would be ashamed Of America; and he
also said that he did not know OF any
law which LAID upon them the duty Of
coming into the army II II should be
necessary 10 call for volunteers. lie
said that we needed 100000 volunteers,
and that if there was any legitimate
criticism Of this demand il was because
il was too small and as soon az Con
gresham Hay objected TO the plan he
promptly abandoned IL.
when the President argued every
which way and stood on every side OF
every proposal IT was no wonder That
Congress was puzzled. Public opinion
WAS not led by the President. lie fol
lowed 10 in sharp zlgzags.
"Six years ago, in 1910, as soon as
the Democrats got possession OF the
House. they stopped work OF the navy.
From being the second naval power IN
the world in point Of size we have, dur
ing the last seven years. slipped down
TO being the fourth; and under Secrc-
tary Daniels, and thanks to the action
of President Wilson, our efficiency
reached its nad.r.
Elect Wilson; Renew Mischief.
We cannot undo the mischief that
has been done during these three years,
but if President Wilson is reelected
we can make certain that this mischief
viii be repeatcd and perpetTated. We
must elect Mr.. Hughes as President,
and we must in good faith take policy
the direct reverse of the present policy
Of feeble vacillation and empty elocu-
ton. Let las provide for great navy,
the second i'm size ~ the world. Let as
provide for universal obligatory mill
tary training Of all our young men III
time Of peace.
81 ask YOU TO test the character and
courage Of Mr.. Hughes and Mr.. Wilson
by comparing their attitudes as regards
the demands of the railway brother
hoods, which eliminated recently in the
miscalled eight-hour legislation at
Washington.
81 equally abhor both the White Ter
ror and the Red Terror, and | will
stand as stoutly against one as against
the other. We have seen in this coun-
try few things more discreditable to our
representatives and more OmlnOus Tor
the future of the nation than the spec
tacle Of the President and Congress OF
the United States being required to
pass a certain bill before a certain hour
at the dictation Of certain men who sat
in the gallery with their watches IN
their hand threatening ruin and dlsas-
ter TO the nation if there was the small
est failure to satisfy their demands.
AS President | dealt at various
times with both corporations and labor
unions. In every case, according 70 the
best Of my ability, | stood IN favor OF
the corporation or union that was DONG
right and against the corporation or
union that was doing wrong.
81 believe in labor unions. But / BE-
lieve first and foremost in liberty and
justice obtained through the Union to
which all of ms belong the union Of
all the people Of the United States.
Eight hours may be the outside limit
Of proper work time in Mr. Ford's fac
tory. where the man is all the time
working at Just one thing intensively
and without vacation; but eight hours
that includes periods Of doing nothing
but sit around, and also change of oc-
cupation, may not be long enough.
THE case at issue Is preemlnently
one that comes in the category Of those
that can be settled only after careful
investigation and full consideration OF
many important conflicting elements.
"The question at issue was not that
of an cight-hour day at all The ques-
tiOr was whether the PRESIDENT ana
Congress should enact a law, without
investigation and without knowledge,
to give increased wages to certain
portion Of the body of wage osrncrs.
The labor leaders on this issue, with
out regard to the right or wrong Of
the matter. first cocrced the President,
and then with his aid coerced Congress.
The question at issue was not one OF
the hours Of labor. II was one Of
wages. And it was settled by the
President and Congress without in
vcstigatiou and without knowledge.
The settlement was due partly to fear
and partly TO hope Of political profit.
"The President should have insisted
that every matter be laid before this
committee Of arbitration and nothing
withheld The commission would have
dealt in thoroughgoing and satisfactory
fashion with all the various questions
involved.
pending the decision Of the commits
sion. it should have been made clear
that the President would permit no in
reference with the traffic which is es-
sential to the life Of the common
wealth; that there should be no stop
page Of the arteries Of circulation in