The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-08-16
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

War Oh the part of the United States
Is a sort OF a laundering operation al
best. Since this country became a ma
ton our wars have been of a sort OF
haphaZard undertakings, commencing
with the war OF 1912 and following
along down to the present time.
In every case our people did not want
war, and Ii made no difference whether
war was forced by politicians or be
cause Ii was actually necessary, there
never was any real preparation for
war. Curiously enough, our people
have always been of the opinion that.
isolated as we are, III we minded
our own business we would not get
into war. But who can tell when some
thing will happen which makes war
inevitable?
Difficulties In Starting.
Ii was said of England that she
''muddled through" Just what can be
said OF the United States Is doubtful.
At present there seems to be a great
deal of difficulty In getting under way,
In making the machinery of war
move.
Congress has been criticised for de
lay. but the inactivity OF congress has
not been so important. or course there
has been a delay In regard to the food
control bill, but hat did not delay
preparation. The fact Is that not be
ing a warlike people we have not been
anxious to get ready for war, and hav-
ing declared war We have not been In
a hurry to get into 1t.
Meanwhile there has been an era of
war prices for everything. There has
plies, labor and all lines of industry
and activity. But we are quite a dis
lance from actual war.
Getting on Their Nerves.
The long session and hot weather Is
getting on the nerves of members of
congress-. 1t has happened several
times that We have heard the voice of
a member saying. II demand that his
words be taken down. That means
that they are to be read by the clerk.
~ thN hAOaEt htttA III Nuht EnHll
be done. Sometimes nothing Is done
and sometimes the words are expunged
from the record.
They %expunged words OF Tom Hefin
OF Alabama n day, and the next day
they were printed In the Record. Tom
Is n of the boys with nerve, and he
does not let the other fellows get on
his nerves.
Committee on Conduct.
When the senate passed the amend
ment to the food bill providing for a
commission OF congress ON conduct OF
the war II was a vote OF lack OF conf
dence In the president. President VII
son saw Ii and said so and stopped the
provision In the house with ease. A
great many Republicans did not believe
that such a commission was wise at
this time. Former Speaker Cannon.
who has a good recollection OF civil
war days, had this to say about the
committee Of that time:
THAT committee did no service that
was valuable politically or otherwise
In that great contest. The time has
passed when We can stop and consider
why we are I'm this war and might have
avoided 1t. Right OF wrong. wise or
unwise, We are In 1t, and there il no
way to get out OF Ii except by
ton with our allies, whether we like
them or not I'm all particulars"
indiana Keeps Him Busy.
Harry New never would have believ-
ed there were so many Indiana people
In the world IL he had not beer a sena-
tor. He finds they are In Washington
In swarms. He likes the HOLSTERS,
but they do keep him busy. II went
to my office at 0 o'clock this morning"
said Senator New one day. II began
to read the first letter, and 1t was not
completed when the senate met. There
was a constant stream of visitors ask
ing for something. Since the senate
met l have not been In my seat FIVE
minutes at a time-just running out
here to see people. ! would like being
senator mighty well II / had the
chance. but just now there is too much
Of what Tom Taggart called 'bellhop-
pin for constituents to make Ii pleas
ant"
Called Him on Tobacco.
Congressman Barley was making
an earnest plea for the conservation of
all things useful I'm the United States
and made a remark about cutting down
luxuries.
Would you have us cut Off tobacco?"
asked Plat Of New York, who recalled
that Barley represented one Of the big
tobacco producing districts Of the coun-
try.
Tobacco Is not food" asserted Bark
ley.
But 1t is q luxury" insisted Plat.
"and II we are to cut down luxuries,
then why not cut off tobaccof"
"Well," was Barkley's response, III
the tobacco lands ever become neces-
sary for food production i am willing
that they shall be used for that pur-