Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1918-11-21
CHANGES IN CONGRESS

Much has been written and spoken OF
the changed conditions that will com,
in the new congress, as result of thu
recent elections throughout the United
States. Instead of a Democratic con
ress both the house of representatives
and the senate of the United States will
he in control of the Republican party.
Frequent attempts have been made
to analyze the Republican victory, for
such it appears to be, and to determine
reasons for the change in the sentiment
of the voters of the nation, as expressed
at the polls on November ). IT has ueen
said that President Wilson's appear Tor
which, he asserted, would be in thorough
cooperation with the executive in con
GLIDING peace with the Central powers,
worked to the disadvantage of the pre-
sident, politically speaking. His critics
on this phase point out that the i'm
preston was conveyed to every nook
and corner of the nation that the presi-
dent sought to be dictatorial and to
have a congress which not only would
cooperate with him, but one the course
of which he could direct
Others assert that would-be war prof
teers, who have been held in check by
the administration by means of taxes
on excess profits, were responsible for
the election of Republican congress. !
Also, it is claimed that rail magnates
and other mOnied men, not engaged par
tieularly in war work, especially since
the government has assumed control of
the railroads, have been opposed to the
president and their influence was felt
at the election
Of the many and varied opinions
voiced, some, of course, will bear closer
inspection than others, but it would APP
pear that it must have been a combina-
ton of conditions, rather than single
purpose, which accomplished the change
Critics of the president do not oppose
him for his war policy, for it is self
evident fact that America IS part in the
great war has been one of the most
notable successes in all history. But,
IN order to make the American nation s
part In the war success, it was i'm
perative that the industries of the coun-
try be quickly modified for efficient
operation to accomplish one great end
TO bring the world war to speedy and
conclusion. 1t was neces .
'ary that the federal government assume q
control OF the railroads and other means
d communication, of factories and of -
lines. They were needed, and "
needed badly. Operating as units, I'M
Ter government control, with one and ;"
my one purpose in view, vastly more was ~
accomplished than would have result %
d from operations by these individual 10
oneerns on a competitive basis An "'
mergency existed, and for that reason, -"
zone, was the move on the part of the u
justified, as was the tenn ne
Orary curtailment Of production of non u
'sentlal articles during the war. ''''
whether the government intends to
ilhHulsh control Of the railroads, tele
'aphs and the like, has not been made
ear, but from the action, last week, m,
PefmEting resumption of certain Of en-
t So-ealled non essential industries. and in
e release of steamships, held for gov rs
nment use, a glimpse of what one nr
ght reasonably expect to be the mi
ture program Of the administration 81,
~ possibly be acquired
NO government could hope to endure cro
the United States of America which for
TIME OF peace would advocate a socia- ces
TIC program. Freedom of industries ,os,
operate on competitive basis should sid,
al means be encouraged. Monopoly, in
e'her governmental or private, should "a
discouraged, except when the nation citi