American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-01-22
TRUTH THAT HURTS, BUT HELPS"

~ -
dangers in carrying on public investi-
cations OF governmental activities dur-
ing a critical period OF a a Such
action checks progress temporarily. d.
tverta the energies OF officials. causes
confusion In the departments and
creates distrust and alarm In the pub
lie mind.
The present inquiry into the methods
OF the war department. nevertheless
has not only justified itself. but has
revealed conditions which demand
that the examination be pursued with
relentless vigOr. The committees at
titude Is impartial as well as earnest.
Democratic members are vigilant In
seeking facts respecting the Demo
cratic administration and he Re
publicans show no partisan animus;
both groups are manifestly animated
by a patriotic desire 10 get at the
truth and discover means Of remedy
ing defects.
But in any event the need for the in
ve~stigation has been demonstrated.
and It's results have been OF immeasur-
able value. For while thus far IL has
brought out only surface facts, IL has
shocked the American people into an
understanding that the nation is inn
periled by gross and well-nigh fatal
incompetence In high places, and,
more important still. II has broken
down the barrier Of censorship behind
which inefficiency and laundering and
siOth have lone their deadly work.
Revelations already made have been
sufficient to cause the transfer OF the
heads Of bureaus. Other changes are
sure 10 follow. The cabinet itself will
be affected. II President Wilson does
not voluntarily replace Secretary OF
War Baker by a man competent TO I'll
that post. public sentiment Will as
suredly volce a demand for this ac-
ton.
Censorship n Shield fOr Incompetence.
Popular interest naturally has been
concentrated upon the disclosures of
official stupidity and neglect. But a
result far nor vital than these Is the
smashing OF the system of secrecy
which was fabricated to protect them.
Never again will the American people
submit 20 a perverted censorship
which is made "A shelter for incompe-
tence endangering the armies of he
republic and its very existence.
Against restrictions designed TO
keep military information from the
ANAANAI NAlNAN AaM w nv IN1N ANAAAHAAAAAif
on the contrary. these viii have the
support OF every loyal citizen. But
the censorship that has prevailed was
intended. and has been employed, as a
shield for ~inefficiency. obstruction
and folly. For the invention and APP
plication OF this system the admins
tration Is 10 blame: for It's lamentable
success In concealing %perilous condi-
tons from the public, the acquiesence
OF the newspapers is responsible.
There Is a bitter irony In the fact that
the patriotism OF the press has been
made an instrument for maintaining
confidence In an inept and feeble Of
ficialdom whose derelictions have COM
|, promised the safety Of the nation.
This scheme was the first and fore
most var undertaking OF the admins
. %tration. Not only did the executive
department insert In the espionage
. bill. Immediately upOn the declaration
against Germany. a provision to gag
, the press and stifle criticism of Off
cial policies and action. but ii EN-
ployed all its powers of persuasion and
political influence 20 force the law
through. For eight weeks. while-as
rs now made ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to as.
semble weapons and perfect national
. defense suffered from neglect and in.
= decision. the president and his advis.
ers day by day importuned congress
for a grant of arbitrary powers de-
D., nounced by members OF all parties as
= unconstitutional, -undemocratic. a gross
invasion of popular rights and a posi-.
tive menace to public safety.
The section would have made Il IN.
lawful even TO attempt TO elicit in
formation concerning affairs of the
= war. IN other words. the gathering
of news or the questioning of public
officers was TO be prohibited. and the
! very officials whose laundering is o
being exposed were to be protected
a SO Vicious was the proposal that con.
:. gress resisted all pleas and demand.
from the White House. and adopted q
= provision which tho authorities have
not thought Il worth while to invoke
This newspaper was urged to joiI
= i'm the fight against the proposed gaa
law. but refused "a give even that rec
ognitiou TO m outrageous attempt q,
make this a privately conducted. Sc
cretive and irresponsible war; We hel,
!, that it would be the duty OF the press
10 perform IFS functions. and rely up
y ON it's constitutional rights To proven
the enforcement OF rrussian method.
iu this republic.
10 Baked In It's design. the admins
N tration adopted another expedient I'm
IA able TO exercise arbitrary powers o
dictation and suppression over thl
newspapers. 10 formulated a system
based upon request 10 was made
matter OF patriotic obligation and hon
< or for the press to stand by the pres
a ident' and print only such news "a
might be indicated or Endorsed by th.
T. censorship Officials were 10 be IN.
4 sole judges as 20 facts that should b.
a printed criticism was TO be avoided
p inquiries were not TO be pressed. an,
m nothing should be made known 20 m.
~ people that might lend TO ~discouragI
! lL.m nr ImnnLn ILnIr In ~.