Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-13
Congress TO Inquire

government and the people OK this
country. The people have not been
taken into the governments confidence,
declared a status Of war. the masses
have learned to distrust almost any
thing that comes before them bearing
the OFFICIAL sanction Of a department OF
government.
Gradually the people learn that the
things which they are not permitted to
Know abou. the war and about the
sons they have sent into service. and
tho expenditures OF the dollars for
which they are taxed. is common prop
erty for the people of other nations,
days and weeks and months before the
facts are allowed to seep out into the
public channels on this side OF the
water. Ambassadors of the United
states in other lands talk of the ac-
complishments of this country in the
few months since we entered .the war.
and these claims are published in the
press OF London and Paris. and the
meat of them is sent out for consump-
ton at all other capitals, including
those OF Germany and Austria Hun
gary. When the London papers reach
America, WE find it out.
Quite a remarkable incident Of this
came TO notice when the 103rd regiment
went across. The arrival of the SOL
diers was proclaimed in the headlines
If London and Paris newspapers, which
also gave accounts OF the splendid
welcome to the boys from the United
states. But on this side of the water
for tactical purposes this. military
Information was suppressed as OF i'm
l'ortance to the enemy, and an attempt
was made In Washington to keep the
fact that the soldiers had arrived safe
~ beyond the reach Of submarines,
from tho American homes Of the regi-
mcnt. London papers arriving q
month later told us all about it..
Just now. steps have been taken in
Congress to obtain fuller information
about the war activities OF the United
states. and TO establish closer con-
ncctton between the government and
people. Tho purpose is to inquire into
tho past and present, and to provide
Tor the future, by a military commit
tee with full authority TO investigate
and report. The inquiry will begin at
once. The decision was reached unan-
imously in the United States Senate.
The excuse Will he that Congress
wants 10 know what is being done
with the money, but in reality. the
members Of Congress have been at
home for several weeks, and have
been hearing from the people They
havo gone back To Washington with a
pretty well defined conviction that the
people are becoming more and more
insstcnt that they he not kept in the
dark as to actual conditions and facts
while they are furnishing the men and
the money, and while everybody else
on earth knows all about 1t.
Congress well understands what Da-
vid Lawrence has characterized so
deftly-that the government heads are
moving under the conviction that they
have been appointed to a big job about
which the public knows nothing and
cares little and that the said G.. II.
should not be interfered with. or
asked troublous questions by the press
"r by anybody else; that they will
make proper and sufficient explanation
when the thing is over and they get
Lood aud ready. Congress knows that
this Is mistake. and that heavy
reckoning day is bound to come unless
better understanding and a closer
connection IL established between the
sources of information that Is vital to
every man. woman and child Of Amer
lea. and the citizenry
We hope that Congress will impress
upon the heads OF the various depart
ments that this is the war of the
American people, ana that the people
have right 10 know what is going on,
how the sons which they have offered
are being cared for how they are
clothed and how they are fed, when
they have passed critical danger spots:
in fact. they want the facts unvarn
ished and without twist, so that they
may decide for themselves that which
is good and that which is bad. OF
course no one will insist upon informa-
ton as to the immediate movement OF
troops. or OF ships. or their number
equipment. etc. but when they have
passed through a battle, or have es-
capped q trench explosion, or a submar-
inc, news Of which is world property the
moment after, parents are just as in
trrested to learn that their sons are
safe. as to learn that some others sons
are dead.
Let US hope that unanimous Sen