Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-12-31
CRITICISMS.

dent, the cabinet officials and con-
gress. the war and navy heads, is not
only necessary, and should Not only
be welcomed but forcibly encouraged,
by those upon whom tle criticism
fails and by the people.
Honest criticism does not hurt-it
holps
There seems TO be fear among Of
! fl,ial Washington OF the effects OF
/ Icriticism. OF constructive, honest,
conscientious criticsm there should be
no fear; Of destructive, dishonest. ma
/ .icious criticism, there should not only
bc fear, but 1t should not be tolerated.
Ia addressing the National Press
club in Washington, President VII
fon stated that he courted criticism.
I"1 believe in pitiless criticism" said
| the president There Is a fine distinc-
ton between "pitiless" criticism and
"pitiful" criticism; as fine distinc-
tlon as there is between constructive
! and destructive. honest ana dishonest.
/ The trouble seems to be that certain
officials and newspapers In the couu-
| try have not yet been able to d.stin-
fu!sh where one ends ana the other
begins
/ The people Of tho United states are
accustomed to criticism, and while
amusing ana laughable i'm times Of
peace. it apparently becomes treason
| TN times Of war. In Republican
democracy like the United states. po-
| lItical division Is essential to the voice
of the people, who are governed by
the consent OF the governed We have
our spats in political campaigns and
II Is not an unusual incident TO see
almost any man who aspiros to office.
no matter how high. severely criti-
lar CRATER or thief with little fear
OF serious effect. The weak points Of
administrations and officials are set
out in bold relief by chilled truth and
We are accustomed TO 1t. No political
dspirant who cannot Withstand the
lantern-slides of criticism is fitted for
office, and no man who is in office
who seeks TO hide under bushel.
should maintain the confidence Of the
people.
There is no way under the heavens
that President Wilson. the cabinet. or
the war heads. can get an endorse
ment for their acts without honest.
constructive criticism. And no hon
cst official need fear criticism. 30 long
.as it is not untruthful or malicious.
Criticism for the sake OF criticising IS
contemplate; hut criticism for the
sake Of saving soldiers is defined hu-
manitarianism--one is destructive. the
other constructive - dishonest and
honest, condemnable and commend
able.
Where the distinctive line of de-
markation lies is a matter Of indiyld-
ual opinion, based on sane judgment
and sound truth.
To point out that our soldiers have
been deprived of guns by red-t tape de-
| lays is honest, constructive criticism.
To expose that war officials have been
grossly ncgligent--if not criminally
negligent in providing proper cloth
ling for the boys who are to bare their
breasts to the enemy, Is an act of hui
man SAVIOR.
Had there been more honest, con-
slructiye criticism between the in
tcrim OF the adjournment of the extra
session, and the convening OF the
regular session of congress. the United
states today would not be confronted
with the disgraceful exposures being
made boy congressional investigation,
| and the evils that that investigation
/ has shown TO exist now. would have
leen remedied long ago. The lack of
criticism did grave injustice to the
administration. the enormity OF which
! is minimized only by the apparent
criminal negligence toward our SOL
dicrs and the shortage OF war sup
,,plics and clothing
Colonel Roosevclts continued criti-
cism got on the nerves OF many peo-
PIE and many officials. lie has been
accused Of being "a scold-a suarler
q menace! But the fact remains, that
With one single exception, Colonel
Roosevelts criticism has been wei
founded. and borne out in toto 10y
congressional investigation.
when Colonel Roosevelt said Pres
. itcnt Wilson has betrayed democ.
. r0cy" and betrayed the free peopl,
OF Germany' he was guilty Of de
structiye criticism, In eNaggeration o
/, language. Such criticism was no
only wrong, but It was unnecessar!
and very untimely; but in the Who'll,
, Colonel Roosevelt has done a grea
, good. The position he has occuple,
, in America, and the place he holds II
the hearts and confidence Of the peo
pie OF the United States carries
, force not attributed TO any othe
L, American. and while he has been 9
, per cent right, he has been only on
, per cent wrong. and that was mis-
, take OF language and time, rathe
than malice or dishonesty
The country needs Roosevelt.
The country needs criticism-con
. lstruCtiXc criticism