The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-11-30

|
one and monstrous. swollen autocratc federal
state will have swallowed local and individual
!. initiative and energy.
| So declares the New York Times staunch
! supporter of the administration In all matters
Of policy except as to that bearing on the ques-
ton Of government ownership OF pubic ut1l-
titles. The newspapers downright denuncla-
ttion of the trend at Washington towards cen,
tralized socialistic state is called forth IN lts
consideration of the coming retirement OF VIII
liam Gibbs McAdoo from the post of secretary
of the treasury and appreciation OF the value
of his services to this country. In truth, MI
McAdoo surpassed the public expectations
when he assumed his important duties. But
the motives which led to his withdrawal are
still a mystery and are only imperfectly and IN
part explained by the letters Of resignation ana
acceptance which fell like a bolt from the blue
lupon the land AS speculation upon the mat
Ter will persist until disclosures or events have
made the reasons for the surprising action
clear, certain suggestions may be accepted as
thew were offered in an article from the Provl-
dence Journal printed in The Gate City last
Wednesday.
The great, spectacular and relatively easy
part of the work of war financing has been done.
The enthusiasm Of the people made the secre-
tary's achievements possible and popular.
It is easier to borrow billions than to pay tne1'
and there will be less eclat In the prosalc task
Of footing the bills. Again, evidence multlphes
that the administration plans to make govern
ment ownership Of the railroads and other pub
lie utilities q political issue and to extend war
emergency operation into permanent control
This policy will be strenuously combated, and
# is clear that the existing situation, with
wages and rates abnor1nally advanced, presents
perplexing problems to a government admins
traitor, since it must be exceedingly dlfilcuft 10
prove by results that government ownership
would be economical or wise.
The retiring secretary Is quite generally
credited with presidential ASPIRATIONS. tnis
be the fact, he is warranted In considering MIN
self a possibility, for what other unknown guam
titv brought into prominence by TINS admlnis
tration has made good as he has done? Is 1t
NOT at least conceivable that he finds the al
ministration unsympathetic with his naturai
and legitimate aspirations9 LIS 1t not posslpie
that he finds the administration embarKng Oh
courses more radical than his judgment ap-
provost In fine, may not 1t be that LOT one VI
all Of these reasons he sees advantages, as a
,,ossble presidential candidate, in cutting loose
from the administration, in standing on his
own feet. his own merits, his own important
achievements. relieved from the burden OF past
or prospective administration mistakesg Mani
festly there is a more general and generous
recognition of his administrative capacity and
the conservative soundness of his views than
there would be if he lent himself to the admin
istration program of retaining control OF ralis'
wires, express companies, cables and ships.
Most people think, and their conjecture seems
probable that three kings will be left In
Europe when the calm that follows the storm is
over-George of England; Victor, of ITALY,
and Albert of Belgium. This may well be so
George was never in the least Objectionable
Victor voices the aspirations of his. people and
reigns but does not rule; and Albert has won
the devoted love of all his people and the high
regard of the world. As to the other kings,
they might be insured against deposition but a
ruinousy high rate would be demanded
''No sane artists could paint picture of Ger
many as she is today writes correspondent.
But it offers fine chance for the cubists.
That old place in the sun must look mighty
good, in retrospect, to Germany nowadays.