New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-23
Where the Trouble Lies


cdies. In their distress they are asking
bread of governmental machinery which
cannot give them bread-whose normal out
mt under such conditions is only stone
Our governmental machinery 49, city,
state snd nationals not geared to deal
with serious economic problems. 1t breaks
down when G demand is made on it for aid
in regulating big economic forces. 1t does
not know how to compel economic and
social efficiency. 1t has never acquired
the habit of successfully subordinating the
activities of great special interests to the
general welfare of the community.
The present food crisis has been devel-
oning for more than two years. We have
seen it coming. It's causes were apparent
I'd all. The war has lessened food produc-
ton and greatly increased foreign demand
for American food products. Prices have
risen steadily and will certainly go higher
if the power of the government is not Wig
orously eXerted to check the ordinary oper-
atoms of the law of supply and demand.
Undoubtedly speculation in food prod
ucts, extortion and eXtravagant handling
charges have contributed to accelerate the
increase in prices. Yet for two years past
the Federal government and the state gov
ernments have done practically nothing to
lessen the fierce pressure on the consumer.
So far as these agencies are concerned he
has been left to fight his battle alone. In
the big cities there has been much talk of
experiments in municipal markets, cooper
alive buying and elimination of middle
mems costs. But they have come to moth
ing because of traditional reluctance TO
offend small interested classes.
There has been the same neglect in the
matter of military preparedness. Congress
ard the Administration have seen trouble
with Germany coming for the last two
years. But they have muddled and bum
gled and avoided the duty of creating a
real army and undermining our Anticipated
military system. Congress, in spite of the
ominous threat last fall of nationwide
railroad strike, paralyzing transportation,
still refuses to pass a law forbidding rail
road strikes, or even prohibiting them
pending public investigation.
The Federal government has failed to
regulate railroad operation efficiently and
intelligently. Yet railroad regulation is
an essential factor in the standardiza-
ton or sterilization of food prices. The
Administration is asking for a large APP
preparation with which to conduct an in
vestigation Of the causes of the high cost
of food-as if those causes were not al
ready perfectly obvious. But what can
such an investigation lead to, when Con-
gress lacks the courage to affront the rail-
road brotherhoods by passing an anti
strike law-when it neglects to protect the
life Of the nation itself by providing a
genuine army because it is afraid to Of
fend noisy minority of pacifsts?
People are naturally much excited about
fbc high prices OF food. But they lean on a
broken staff when they expect the Federal
government and The state governments to
do anything really effective to protect the
sufferers. II we want relief by the govern
mental route wc must first reform our
governments and their methods Of doing
business. Our governments are inert, in
competent in any large economic sense and
unaccustomed 70 deal with the realities of
life. They potter about on the surface of
things and are concerned chiefly with mere
political results--the maintenance of ami
cable relations with the powerful elements
in the community whose support they wish
and whose enmity they fear. Protecting
life and preserving order is a matter
Of great importance TO the state. Yet
the Legislature at Albany has been pre-
vented for years from passing bil'cre-
ating rural state police by the veto Of
the labor unions.
The present food crisis will, we hope,
lead many people 10 a clearer understand
ing Of the defects of our present govern
mental system. II il system Of make-be-
lieve efflciency--long on talk and short on
action. Watchful waiting is its pro-
gramme. Unpreparedness is it's perfect
work. If We are satisfied with it, let us
stop complaining about food scarcity. II
We dislike hand-to-mouth economy, unpre-
parednew and the evasion Of govern
nenrs plain duty 10 guard the life and