The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-19
WILSON PLAYS POLITICS


much in its appointments TO lmpor-
tant tasks. Moreover, for a year 1t
deprived itself and the country of the
services of those geniuses of business
organization whose achievements have
in the past advanced the material re-
sources of this country to their pres
ent commanding power, When men
of this kind were first called to the
aid of the administration, they were
given advisory functions, and no act
ual control. Slowly the administration
has been forced to use them. The
principle at first obtained that men OF
success in any field of private business
were not to be trusted with real au-
thority in war production This made
the qualification for such posts in
many case a lack of experience in the
field in which the appointees were to
act. Hard experience has forced ex-
ceptions to such a paralyZing rule or
eligibility and selection. The trained
capacity of the American people is now
finding an opportunity for effective
operation in the real authority given
to Messrs. Schwab, Stettinius, Ryan.
Goethals and others. With such men
in unfettered control, we can be con-
fident of a volume of production in
ships, ans, ammunition. airpianes
and terminal facilities that will amaze
the world.
Praises Wilson's Utterances.
1.-THE presidents messages ard ad-
dresses have been great in declaring
our moral aims in the war. They
have shown clearly the disinterested
attitude of the American nation.
They have painted, with master hand
the wickedness of our foe. They have
grandly promised what we must not
stay our hand. until we win. They
have confuted the pretences Of our
enemies and stiffened the morale of
our allies.
Delays at Critical Moments.
"In framing practical policies for
carrying out our high purposes, how
ever, the administration has not
achieved the same success. There is
always a halt and a hesitation in
adopting the necessary course finally
entered upon.
while we were mediating by mes
sage in the field of open diplomacy,
with the German and Austrian peo-
pies, our transportation of troops was
slow and in small numbers and
seemed TO vindicate the view of those
millions of Americans to France in
any reasonable time was impossible.
Baker Delayed Army Action.
THE army appropriation bill of
last winter was held up for more than
two months. in order that the secre-
tary of war might visit the war fronts
and gain a, clearer idea of the situa-
ton there and bring back a definite
policy. When he returned, he ap-
peared before the committee of the
house and senate and gave them an
account of his trip, but instead of
bringing back a, definite plan of action
he asked for more time to consider.
Sent Troops When Pushed to 1t.
THE western drive was then on.
1t presented, as nothing else could.
the immediate danger of brea king
thru the allied line. The allies called
upon the administration for aid and
pressed the necessary shipping upon
US. We were pushed into action. and
thus we have now landed million
men In France"
The former president here described
the defeat in congress, by the admin
istration forces, of legislation to ex-
tend the draft age limits, which he
declared would have provided prompt
ly, and without hardship upon de-
pendent families. the army of lat least
100000 men" urged by the minority
leaders. He continued:
Constructive Criticism Necessary.
What is needed then to help this
administration most is a coordinate
branch of the government with power
and responsibility in fighting this war
which will perform two functions. The
first is that of constructive criticism
or administrative action or inaction
criticism is conStructiveaw which will
point out defect for the purpose of
having it remedied. which will en-
phasize a need for the purpose of hav-
ing it supplied. 1t is a criticism from
source of independent power which
Will minimize the numbing security
or official reserve and conceaIment
and stimulate executive sensitiveness
to the duty of quick decision and ac-
ton in time of war. The second func-
ton is by law to enlarge our military
preparations at once so that they shall
clearly be adequate to our declared
national purpose.
Democrats Won't Criticise.
viii Democratic congress furnish
this constructive criticism and needed
legislation? Clearly not. There have
been few Democrats in congress
especially in the senate, whose intense
interest in the effective conduct of
the war has been manifest and who
have shown independence But in the
case OF the majority of the Democrats
this has not been true. We may,
therefore, infer that a new Democratic
congress would wait upon the presi-
dent, would hesitate with him, and
would furnish him no independent
aggressive impulse in his great task
President Seeks Obedient Congress,
Now. what of the next election?
The administration has sought to Sc
cure what Is called a non-partiSan re-
turn of loyal members of congress.
That -partisanship seems to apply
only in states where the Republican
majorities would be Overwhelming,
and where the withdrawal of Demo-
| cratic opposition is a concession of no
substances. 1t does not work where
there is a chance for a Democratic
candidate in either the senate or the
house. In Wisconsin, in which the
Republican candidate for senate was
| engaged in a life and death struggle
| with pro-German opposition, the
president wrote a letter attacking him
| and seeking the election of a warm
| personal supporter and Democrat,
| whom he had urged to run. In Michi-
gan, Republican state, where there
is division between the Republicans,
| the president has invited Mr.. Ford. a
former Republican, who rarely voted
| and an extreme pacifist before the