The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-02-19
CONGRESS PUTS ON
FULL STEAM
from page -

and sends them forth TO make SUI
preme sacrifices" paying them $50 a
month and demands that citizens IN
vest their money in Liberty bonds at
four per cent, it prepares to give the
railroads a return based on the sums
earned in 1915, 1916 and 1917, john
son pointed out. Upon what theory is
the maximum of sacrifice demanded of
all the rest of the nation?" asked john
son. land the maximum of compensa-
ton accorded our railroads.
eff any man here suggested that the
earning capacity of our soldiers for
the past three years should De the
measure of their compensation IN TINS
time of crisis. he would De laughed 10
scorn. When we deal, however, with
the great railroad companies, We do
not ask ourselves what is the mini
mum the nation should pay and what
sacrifices those who own the railraods
should make.
-Four per cent upon Liberty bonds
and more than double four per cent
to railroad owners who in the ma
lions crisis have been unable to per-
form their task."
Johnson criticized those who dis
agree with the wisdom of the presl-
dents course in taking over the roads.
He said seizure of the roads was alb
solutely necessary for the safety OF the
nation.
Turning to the general ubject OF con-
structiye criticism of the conuucl OF
the war, Johnson said President VIII
sons outspoken stand against secret
diplomacy marks new epocn IN "oriu
history He deprecated the "un-Ameri-
can suppression and repression Wmcn
characterized the first nine months al
ter our entrance into the war anu
which yet obtains in some circles.
Submission to every deficiency ana
Injustice in silence seemed TO De
the prevalent idea, said Johnson,
and those who opposed it were called
PROG ermans, first, and later parts
ans.
81 will not subscribe to any doc
trine that either in peace or war,
legitimate, honest and conscientious
suggestions or criticism may not be
INDUCED"
Johnson said various congressional
investigations, so much criticized,
have worked great good. Referring
to the Hog Island ship contract. now
under investigation by the depart
ment of justice. Johnson said:
"a state of affairs beggaring de-
scription has been developed. The
evidence demonstrates saturnalia
of extravaganza, a brilliant phantas
magoria of patriotic pretense.
pity and shame Of it," Johnson
said, is that some OF those involved
are great captains of industry.
"Singularly enough they unctuous-
ly express, as great patriots, the
sorrow that such disclosures SHOULD
be. made public and as they lugub-
riousy shake their heads they ex-
claim that publicity. of delinquencies
is giving aid and comfort to the en-
envy"
He predicted America will grum
BILE and worry" but will come through
victorious but warned that the words
"disioyal,' "pro1German." and part
isan" must not be applied to honest
critics"
Wheat Resolution Reported.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator
Gore today reported to the senate his
resolution amending the food control
act increasing the price of the 1913
wheat crop from 50 to $3.50.
Senator Kenyon barred committee
conflict over the proposed price raise
when he said the resolution was or
dered reported when he was not
present.
'1 want it understood this report
is not unanimous" said Kenyon.
Other members of Cores commit
tee were amazed at his reporting the
resolution. They declared it never
was voted on by the committee, but
that the majority expressed them
selves Informally as favoring s2.50 as
minimum price. AS to the form of
the resolution, however, several of
them disag greed with Gore.
These members are attacking