The Washington herald., 1918-01-31

Why not a nonpartisan program
for making Americas war more ef-
fective?
Why not a program that will in
clude in it a number OF measures
tending to improve our internal af-
fairs, and thus directly strengthen
US for the contest against Germany
Members talk OF 1t longingly on
the IIill-the wise ones of each party
but they add regretfully that they
do not believe it would be possible
to put over such a program.
"Of course 1t would be the most
desirable thing in the world" said
one member last night. ''It would
be good to unite the country around
our cause. to bring early victory
and to bring everlasting results which
would follow the war-but it is i'm
possible to do it,
And another member spoke in this
fashion: There is no question but
that a nonpartisan American pro-
gram decided upon by the leaders of
both parties. at this time, could be
put over and in ample time to allow
Congress to adjourn not later than
June 15.''
There isn't a member Of Congress
who will admit the charge of dis
loyalty. And not a single one OF
the members would bear to have his
party charged with being a disloyal
factor. Yet 1t is incontrovertible that
II partisans would get together and
confer with the White House and de-
eide upon a definite, well-planned waT
program this session could be brought
to a conclusion in time to avoid the
summer heat and the country would
benefit immeasurably by the program
and those who do not propose this
must certainly be opposed.
The strange thing about II all Is
that Congress does not like to stay
here and work. the people do not de-
mand it, the President does not need
Congress here all the time
And yet Congress stays on and on
evincing little or no concerted action
and making headway only with about
one-tenth the speed that it would II
spirited, patriotic appeal were to be
lodged with every member by his
constituents.
1t is the bug OF indecision and dis,
inclination that stains the record OF
Congress. No one wants to inter-
fere with the venerated policies oil
centuries. No one wants to propose
such an audacious thing as a "coa,
lition" Congress.
Coalition cabinets, OF course, have
been quite the rage in other coun-
tries in war time. But it would never
do, according to our present plan OF
waging war, to supplant the present
Congress with body designed to for
get political lines entirely and agree
upon a definite program and put il
through as a safety-flrst, get-there-
Eli war program. oh, no!
Some of the members would be glad
to have a real conference and start
something rolling. The number in
cludcs both Republicans and Demo.
Gratis. II they started out to make
their ideas count they could prob.
ably gain much headway-certainly
IL they had the support of the Pres
ident and of their principal leaders
this revolutionary change could b'
accomplished within a short time.
Isn't It the strangest thing in tht
world that with the pathway of sue
cess so dazzlingly illumined we poo
mortals are prone to choose the patti
of failure which, although well-defineC
farther on, is nevertheless almost OBJ
scured at its source?
Poor, deluded mortals we are! Man!
Congressman who reads this will
be clattering along over the hot cob
blestones of the city next July o.
August almost as much at sea owe
the accomplishment of needed step
for the continuation Of the war a.
he Is now, and probably more thor
oughly convinced by that time tina
he really had no business to com,
down and put in so much time doin,
the little things.
The only programs we have heart
Of on the Hill are political programs
and they are being made more 70
the subrosa observance than II
open support. The effort seems {,
take on more of an Individual aspec
than before-it is each member TO
himself and Billy Sundays enem.
for them all. But what a wonderful
Inspiration there would be among tn,
constituents Of some of these men /
they could be found to propose
coalition Congress. and a nonpartisal
program to be put through AT ONCE
We are not sanguine enough to be
lieve that the world would be suddenl,
brought to Uncle Sans feet IL
coalition Congress were to come L
the front of the stage now. But w