The Washington herald., 1917-12-18

ing what the effects might be OF i'm
porting them now-and there Is no
telling what might happen II after
getting them here, we made an effort
to deport them. Congress will think
long and think deeply-and. IL what
number OF the leaders say IL true,
will finally oppose the plan. no mat
ter how alluring II may look as a
temporary expedient.
The Rev. Newell Dwight Hills. a
pastor who sometimes eIcmplihes a
very keen analytical sense when II
comes to looking into things govern
mental says, with respect to some-
thing which has been commented on
in this column before:
Democracy Is the best possible
form of government in times of
peace; it is the worst possible form
of governHent in times OF war.
Autocracy Is the worst possible form
of government in times OF peace; 1t
is tho best form of government in
times of war. When Germany goes
to war she has an expert at the head
Of the army; he is an autocrat. When
our republic goes to war she has
peaceful men at the head chosen for
occupations. the industries, the arts,
the happy homes"
Men who have thought profoundly
Of the problem Of making the world
safe for democracy. and at the same
, time preserving every vestiGe OF de-
mOcracy in our domestic affairs, are
not yet ready to admit that to be
successful We must impose hard and
fast aUtocracy upon ourselves. To
take this unheard OF step would be
to admit autocracy to our councils
for years and years to come, long
after peace had been restored and
long after the need for this unusual
legislation had passed away 1t is
the duty of Congress to stand on
guard-and Congress Is beginning to
see its duty and. because OF its re-
sponsiveness to the people. Is likely
to stand on guard throughout the
black days of the conflict.
The announcement has Just been
made that the Department of Agri-
survey and that this will extend in
all directions so that Uncle Sam may
know just what he has in his larder
In 1t during the next year.
A vast undertaking. of course, but
when Congressman heard IL many
of them insisted that the Food Ad-
ministratIon should undertake the
duty; that, in fact, this was an en-
croachment Of the Agricultural De-
partment upon the duties Of the Food
Commission.
Members should not fume about
this. however. The step is provided in
bill passed by Congress itself last
August The Agricultural Depart
ment was given this authority be-
cause its facilities for making such
a survey are much more elaborate
than the Food Administrations and
the avenues through which the in
formation may be gathered are open
wider TO the Agricultural Department.
Secretary Houston will receive sug-
gestions from Mr.. Hoover, IL the
latter has any to offer in the prem
ises, and there will be complete har-
mony between them in the gather
ing of the data. There is no dis
position on the part OF either Of
them to hog the honors--in fact,
as one Congressman facetiously re-
marked. both of these eminent mem
bers of the war administration would
be glad. as a result Of the inquiry,
ito honor the hog" in this survey.
At least. both OF them hope that
enough meat OF the kind alluded TO
may ge found in the nation to en-
courage them both.
When the mass Of figures has been
gathered and compiled, the belief of
the optimistic members of Congress
is that they will show an encourage
ing state Of food affairs in the ma
fi0n THE naSt~DuED