New-York tribune., 1917-06-08
War, the Teacher

There is something lrOnlcal IN tne dlII'
tude which Congress has assumed toward
much of the war legislation with which II
has been occupied. The need of most OF
this legislation is undisputed. A great
deal of it would be almost as servceabe
to the country in time of peace as in time
of war. Yet Congress hens and haws
about doing what it sees plainly ought to
be done 1t hesitates to use its power TO
enlarge the area Of governmental control.
II hides apologetically behind the "erner-
cency" of war and carefully limits the
operation Of the laws which it passes to
the life of that "emergency.'
Congress is still timid 1t has not yet
Gigested the teachings of the war. 1t can
not realize that we shall live in greatly
altered world when the war is over. 1t
cannot see that after peace comes peoples
which have benefited by the stern and
eaualizing discipline of war will not be
willing to 60 back to the cruder, go-as-you
please devil-take-t e-the-hindmost methods Of
the ante-war period. Every great war
puts the world forward to the extent that
it unloosens liberalzing and equalizing
forces. emphasizes democratic brotherhood
and insists on the subordination Of indi-
vidua interests to mass interests.
Why, then, should we be fearful and
apologetic about disturbing old landmarks
and getting rid of burdensonre traditions?
If innovations made in war time justify
themselves-if they crush out old abuses
why not let them continue in force in time
Of peace?
The Senate passed last week food con-
servation bill. 1t was intended to stimu-
late food production and to protect the
consumer against artificial shortages and
extortionate prices. 1t contained a clause
empowering the President to close eX-
changes in which speculation in food fut-
ures is conducted, if such speculation tends
to increase unduly the prices of wheat and
other food cereals.
This last named grant Of power was, of
course. limited to the duration of the war.
Such limitation is merely tribute to old
habits Of thought. II is measure of the
lack of courage and imagination which
still hampers Congress. The production
of an ample supply of food, the prevention
of food cornering through Withholding
and speculation and the protection of the
consumer against artificial prices are as
important TO the great mass of the people
in time of peace as they are in time of war
Why should old laissez-fuire theories ir
economies be allowed to confuse oul
vision? War has already partially cleared
our minds and forced us TO experiment
with saner and more efficient methods Of
food production and distribution. If spec
ulators and extortioners and an over-costlN
machinery of distribution increase unduly
the cost Of food. there is no good reasor
why power should not be lodged perma
nently in the government to defeat the
purposes of food gamblers and combina
tions Of nriddlemen.
Government in the United States ha'
been too largely ornamental. 1t has con
cerned itself chiefly with the superficialitie'
Of political management. 1t has dodget
its higher duty Of being a genuine instru
ment Of national organization and nationa
welfare. II has ruled, but it has never
really governed. After the war is ovei
The people will expect more of it. They
will demand that il become government
in fact. as well as in name. They will re
quire it TO prove its value by its works
II will bo ohliOed 20 occusfor,, itee1f ~ .
far larger use of power for public and ma
tional ends.
War is an educator and our govern
ment needs just the sort Of education il
serious tasks that this war has in store fol
II. Let US welcome the readjustment ot
our point Of view which the war will bring
not shy away from il with misgivings anC
embarrassment.