Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-10

10 tho Editor on the Eptnina Lcdner.

70 the Editor Of the EVCning Ledger:
Slr-Please accept contribution from
an average American regarding the pub
licty you gave to the statement advising
that married man can send $25 home
from the army for the support Of his
family. why don't you open your coll
umns to frank discussion OF the high
cost of living and Its many Increases?
Do you approve of man going into the
army to make America free for food
spectators and pirates? I will admit
that, with denial and living prices what
they were Ave years ago. family could
exist on s25 per month, II the landlords
would be patriotic enough to reduce the
rent for an enlisted man during the
period of the war. Don't you think that
would be each one doing his rightful
share?
How would you, who countenance such
procedure, or the political grafters who
pass the advice along to the poor people.
be satisfied to live on s25 per month?
think you would all be satisfied to keep
your mouths shut. DO you editors realize
that the people are not swallowing all the
bunk you hand out? Also kindly give the
people credit for not being as culpable as
they were years ago.
Don't you think the poor people are
foolish to try to be patriotic when the
politicians, spectators and others of like
fix are more than ready to grab their
large bit the same as heretofore?
AMERICA FIRST.
Philadelphia, August 9, 1917.
HNHE foregoing is typical of many let
- ters finding their way into newspaper
enices. 1t is, we believe a splendid win.
dication of democratic institutions that
men of all walks of life have the ability
10 think and the courage to express their
thoughts in times like these. That much
Of the popular thinking is based on in
eorrect premises and reaches illogical con-
elusions is neither surprising nor alarm
ing. A man who has thoughts can be
reasoned WITH the man without any is fit
material on which to build an autocratic
state.
We have never indorsed the theory that
the soldier receiving $50 a month can
afford to send $25 of it home to his fam
ily. On the contrary, we emphatically
took issue with that proposition. With
al our soul we condemn the deprivations
to which women and children have been
subjected in occupied territory by the
Teuton hordes. The nation is fighting
against the cruelty there exhibited How
then, can any reasonable citizens advocate
slow starvation for American women, de-
prived Of their normal income because
their husbandsiare fighting the battles of
the Republic in France? We pension the
wives Of soldiers who have died. We can
not afford to let those wives suffer while
their husbands still live. We believe 1t to
be a bounden duty Of the Government to
take one Of two courses: either men
who are drafted and have dependents
should receive bonus to be used entirely
for the benefit Of such dependents, or the
Government itself should undertake the
care OF these dependents by providing
them with the sort Of work they are
capable of doing or opening homes where
they can live at small cost.
The political grafters we have always
with US. We have them because men
sell their votes for a song on election day
or in other ways refuse to perform their
duties as citizens. Doubtless the grafters
Of whom our complainant speaks have
often been voted for by him. But there is
. stern hand pressing on these parasites
Public opinion at last has forced the pas
sage of the food-control bill. Mr.. Hoover.
whose name is never spoken by thousands
Of people except with heartfelt gratitude.
u about to assume the gigantic task OF
putting the cost Of living on a proper
level. He is no politician and he cares
nothing about politics. He is not hand
Ing out any bunk" nor are editors; but
he is about to put common sense to work
ln behalf of all the people.
The people are never foolish when they
try to be patriotic. They are foolish only
when they forget their patriotism and are
liverted from the right course by red
Earrings. Surely we shall not surrender
Gsmocratic institutions simply because a
tsw jackals take advantage Of them. II
,fhs grafters could. cut patriotism out Of
che hearts of the people. there would be
NJ power left to hold them In check. Let
|R assv~sSondent gird his loins and do
~ n this great emergency. He. ana