The Washington herald., 1917-05-16
What Leading Newspapers
Say on the War Situation
The Peril of Rassis
New York Tines,

/ (New York Tmes.l
II Socialism means anything II its
uoctrines lead anywhere save to social
reorganization and the sheer deviltry
OF overthrow. its aim must be "the great
est happiness OF the greatest number"
Yet the spirit OF Jeremy Bentham is not
guiding the deliberations of the Council
OF Workmen's and Soldiers Deputies In
Petrograd. Processing solicitude tor the
welfare OF the working classes, and ex-
pressing great distrust Of the 'bour-
, geois government OF the Lvoff ministry,
these radicals and Socialists have brought
Russia to the verge OF ruin. They are
preparing future of disgrace and pow
erty for the Russian people.
These men who do not represent the
Russian people, who are self-appointed.
with no authority save that which they
derive from the little assemblies of their
own class In the Russian capital have
nevertheless arrogated to themselves the
power to govern 100000 They issue
orders, and the worst of 1t is that they
are sometimes obeyed. They have dis
organized the army, they have paralyzed
Russia as fighting force. II they have
done any creative work, II they have
taken any helpful step toward the reor-
ganization of the social and political
forces of the great country, IL they have
done anything whatever to aid in organ
izing government. the news Of 1t has
not been transmitted. They are a purely
destructive force, and the success of
their efforts is all too evident. Gen.
Brusilon, an officer OF the highest patri-
otism, has given warning of the immense
harm they have done to the army. Gen.
Korniloff, who commanded the Petrograd
garrison, has been forced to resign-he
could not submit to the demand of the
Workmen's and Soldiers Council that he
submit all his orders to that body for
approval. But the most startling proof
of the paralyZed condition in Petrograd
is the resignation of Gen. Guchkoff, the
minister of war and marine in the pro-
visional government.
Why Fight with One Hand TIedr
CPhilAdelphiA Public Ledgerl
Too many Congressman have a well
get-you" attitude. They seem to feel that
in some mysterious way business is re-
sponsible for the war and that the way
to get even is to fight Germany and busi-
ness at the same time.
We do not know that any intelligent
man has had the temerity to advocate
the proposed revenue bill as a good bill
IT'S bad. but let's take our medicine"
say the men responsible for it. But we
have not reached the point, where such
hectic legislation is required. The Cham
Der of Commerce of the United States
has been busily engaged in gathering in
formation as to proper methods Of rails
ing revenue at this time, although the
views OF business men seem to have lit
tie weight just now at the Capitol But
il man in control Of large interests af-
fecting the prosperity of thousands VEN
lures to suggest that Congress plans not
to tax but to ruin his business he is &C
cused of selfshness or cruciied as a
traitor. Manifestly, with income taxes
as high as they are going to be. there is
no possibility of any rich man escaping
his share of the burden. The capitalist
is having his candle burnt for him at
both ends in any event
"AII that the traffic will stand" is the
"get-by" point in taxation. Go beyond 1t
and the tax levy yields no returns. Tax
alton that eXhausts a business is a goose
killing proposition. A prosperous nation
can wage wa. successfully; a nation in
the throes of hard times has a big
enough foe at home to keep it from ag-
gressive onslaught upon the enemy
abroad.
Business and the Outlook.
philadelphia Record.)
The most conspicuous, and also the
most depressing commercial fact of last
week was the crop report which showed
winter wheat to be worse even than was
indicated. in April. The condition is the
lowest since 1855 and the area winter-kill-
ed is the greatest on record. The
promise May was for a good deal more
than 100, 900 900 bushels less than last year.
Yet the plant that has not been killed
or plowed under is nearly 10 per cent
better than a month ago. Further re-
cuperation Is possible, and we may hope
for good things from the spring wheat.
1t is remarkable that the first month
OF a formal state of war afforded ex-
traordinariIy good insolvency statistics.
This reflects a very solid state Of bust
ness. The number of failures was less
than in any April for nearly ten years.
and the liabilities were the smallest
since 1907. The prospect Of a war of un-
eXampled proportions never showed so
slight an influence upon business.
The volume of trade continues enor-
nous, though the bank clearings last
week fell below the exceptionally high
figures Of the previous week. The clear
ings approached 5000, 900 O0O, and ran
nearly S per cent above last year.
Money rates in New York show some
hardening tendency. though the range OF
rates on call money was lower last week
than the week before. The advance in
time loans continues.
Railroad gross earnings in the fourth
week of April were 1852 per cent above
last year. For five weeks in succession
/
liz to 1882 per cent above those of a
year ago. But operating expenses are
rising still faster. The Commercial and
Financial Chronicle shows that in March
the gross earnings were more than ST.
woO0 in excess Of a year ago, but The
operating expenses increased So. .0oO. 900.
and the net earnings fell Off almost
$S.OOOOOo, or SIS per cent
tn" industries of the country arc in
general fully employed. But government
demands are crowding private orders out
or producing plants, and there are some
Indications OF economizing by consumers.
The Steel Corporation reports a new
record in untitled orders. The steel trade
Is making every effort to meet the de-
mands Of the government. OF our allies,
and OF private business, but there are
many uncertainties about the national
needs. A domestic contract for 10000
tons OF tank plate at 71-2 cents a pound,
pittsburgh, shows the fear that the pro-
ducing capacity will be monopolized by
the government, and the expectation OF
this is illustrated by a mills refusal OF
an order for 5000 tons of hull plates at
10 cents. The allies have an order in
the market for 1900 tons of wire nails
which the leading producer is selling to
ltS customers at Sc less than the price