Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-07
PATRIOTS ARE NOT
GRAFTERS

THERE are civilians in Washington
whose patriotic purpose does not
manifest itself in schemes to milk the
Government. When men such as How
ard Coffin, not TO mention scores of
others. are willing to face the fire Of
criticism which is the inevitable reward
of public service, with little to gain and
a great deal to lose, intent only on doing
their utmost TO prove that efficiency is
at least as much the handmaiden Of
democracy as autocracy, and to estab-
lish anew the corollary Of that truth by
the invincibility OF democratic arms;
when such men take up such service, we
need not despair Of the Republic or doubt
the eternal verify of the institutions
which breed and bring to fruition citi-
Eens of this type.
But the glorious sacrifice and patriot.
ism Of these men emphasize by contrast
the pusillanimous, nggardly and utterly
reprehensible attitude of certain other
gentlemen, whose patriotism expresses
itself in mad desire to augment their
bank accounts and swindle Uncle Sam.
There were some lumber interests whose
exuberant demands for ships of wood
were only equaled in violence by the
underground pressure they exerted to be
sure Of getting their share" So soon as
It seemed probable that the Government
would build an immense fleet of air.
planes, onethousandhorsepow patriots
with one.horzepower door and sash fac.
tories. in Providence only knows what
condition Of dilapidation. rushed to
Washington and began yelling for con.
tracts. Civilian boards, composed OF
citizens 100 per cent American, have
been bothered to death by expectant
grafters, although the former were pro.
posing to do business only with other
100 per cent Americans, who were en-.
titled to and wanted TO get a profit sufi.
cient to assure honest manufacture, and
no more.
Some Senators and Congressman have
given an exhibition Of obstinate igno.
rance by attacking reputable citizens
who have done nothing more criminal
than serve their country. This has
tended to confuse the situation. The
honest and dishonest ought not to be boiled
in the same oil Secretary Baker, when
he denounced the proposed price of SO a
ton for soft coal delivered at the mines,
had his finger on an outrage and he
knew II. His was an attack worth
while, for It was backed by incon-
trovertible facts. No good business
man resents the truth, and no pa
triot wants anything else, The Ameri-
can people would kick half way to Jericho
an Administration which did not protect
the Government and them against extor.
ton in the present crisis.
The real giants OF industry now at
work in Washington will not have their
willingness to serve weakened by the
incidental injustice that has been done
them. To be put in the category with
grafters is not pleasant but the sitting
process will be sure and reasonably swift.
Besides. giant does not become a skunk
Just because he is in the vicinity of its
odor, When the history OF these times is
finally written, not one but many pages
win be devoted TO a recountal Of the in
estimable service performed by Industrial
leaders OF the nation. who dropped their
appointed tasks and left of money.
making to devote their talents and their
energy TO the successful prosecution Of
the war. There will be no question then
as TO who were grafters and who were
patriots triumphant and undefled.