Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-26

" NiIdHls.J
and to know how to do things. There
ere no amateurs in the game. 1t Is q
| delegation of veterans doing good team
work. OF course they have not agreed
on everything, nor always voted alike
on every measure; but on all great
questions the delegation has stood as
a unit for the best things for the whole
nation.
During the past summer the main
thing has been the completion OF the
necessary program OF legislation to arm
the military power Of the United States
for the conflict into which the country
has been drawn. Up to the time Of
making decision as between peace and
war. opinion was divided In Washing
ton as elsewhere. as to what should be
done: but the decision once made, there
was then nothing left but to determine
the details and thrash out differences
as to how best to accomplish the pur-
pose all have In mind.
In the work of finishing and perfect
ing this great legls,at! vc program for
the carrying on OF the war, the Iowa
delegation has heen Ct immense 'in-
fiuence. Much of the legislation was
IeW anu CduStu ulSluSSicis
Many proposals were without merit
and 1t was right that weaknesses
should be exposed. Some things would
have been vicious as presidents. Bills
generally came to congress imperfect
or crude and there was great, need OF
hard York in committees and elsewhere
to make them, not perfect, but as neer-
~ r!ahi as possible Under the circum-
stances. 1t was in this great task. in
committees and on the floor Of the two.
houses that the Iowa delegation did
much that will be helpful IN the prose-
cution Of the war.
1t is a fact, as one will discover by
little investigation at Washington, that
the success OF the general war pro-
gram Of President Wilson was made
POSSIBLE by reason OF the support given
him by the republican minority. II he
had had to rely on his own party he
would never have gotten anywhere.
But when it was found that the re-
pu oiicans were prepared &c back the
whole program. to lay aside all par
tSsanship and to subordinate all else to
patriotism, the rebellious elements in
tbs presidents own party fell into line.
And In bringing about this attitude OF
the minority and securing hacking
for the war program. not in any sensc
ssubservient and unthinking but always
Intelligent and patriotic. the Iowa dele
CATION had large share. OF course IT
will never receive credit therefor. The
avenues OF publicity official and under
official influence. are all directed
toward clarifying the elements that for
the time being are in control There
are places. however. where this splen-
Idid work Of the Iowa delegation is ap-
preciated: for instance. In the war de-
partment and In other departments,
where they are not so much concerned
about temporary political advantage
for one party or another as they are
with fine results. There Is reason for
this. Take the case OF the army offi-
Gals who sought to have the legisla-s
ton the very best for effective work.
When they went to the democratic
leaders In congress they knew very
well that political considerations We're
first to be considered. When they went
to the republicans on the committees II
was different for the republicans had
nothing to gain by PLAYING politics and
were never looking merely for the Gre